International Etiquette Quiz
Nov 19th, 2004, 07:18 PM
#11
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Gee, I'm a total international dunce, I guess. I got 5 out of 11, but don't remember a question about the left-handed fork, so maybe the questions are different for different people (she grasps feebly)?
Nov 20th, 2004, 07:13 AM
#12
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I am afraid some of the answers are misleading. Chinese mother do make their children finish everything on their plates/rice bowls. As the old western saying: Waste not, Want not. However, in Japan, if you like to have your rice bowl refilled, it is polite to leave a bit of rice at the bottom.
On the other hand, in chinese banquet, if you finish everything on your plate, the host/hostess is obliged to put some more on, as it means:a) The food is so good, you would like to have more.b.) You are still hungry.
About noddle soup in Japan, it is considered a snack/fast food,not polite to serve it at party/regular meal. To slurping it at a noddle bar is O.K., but to do it as an honoured guest is cosidered uncouth.
On the other hand, in chinese banquet, if you finish everything on your plate, the host/hostess is obliged to put some more on, as it means:a) The food is so good, you would like to have more.b.) You are still hungry.
About noddle soup in Japan, it is considered a snack/fast food,not polite to serve it at party/regular meal. To slurping it at a noddle bar is O.K., but to do it as an honoured guest is cosidered uncouth.
Nov 20th, 2004, 07:55 AM
#13
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Living in Canada, I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to meet an Inuit, much less dine with one.
6 out of 11, but some of the questions were lame and a little misleading. For example, the left-handed fork in Iran? I got it right because I knew the left hand is considered unclean by Muslims, and I have a Muslim friend who hates to use cutlery.
6 out of 11, but some of the questions were lame and a little misleading. For example, the left-handed fork in Iran? I got it right because I knew the left hand is considered unclean by Muslims, and I have a Muslim friend who hates to use cutlery.
Nov 20th, 2004, 09:57 AM
#15
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"What do the English think about Americans eating fried chicken with their hands?"
I say "Americans are hopeless slobs", they say "it's okay if there are no utensils around". I'm "English" so get your facts right dear!
What rubbish!
I say "Americans are hopeless slobs", they say "it's okay if there are no utensils around". I'm "English" so get your facts right dear!
What rubbish!
Nov 20th, 2004, 10:17 AM
#17
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Just want to add two points about the required behaviour in Austria and Germany:
1. Not only in Austria, but also in Austria's beloved ( ;-) ) sister country of Germany, it is customary to look each other in the eyes when clinking glasses. This is especially relevant when toasting to a person of the opposite sex as there is a saying that not looking into your opposite's eye will lead to having bad sex (with that person or any other) - and who would want to run that high a risk ?
2. While it is indeed required that you use your fork for cutting your potatoes in better German restaurants (and being a traditionalist myself IMHO anywhere else, too) instead of a knife, the reason is not the one outlined in that quiz. Whereas they say that this is meant to ensure that the potato can absorb the gravy, this tradition dates back a bit to days when tableware was made of silver and not the nowadays customary stainless steel. The starch from the potatoes would cause the blades to loose their shine, whereas such loss in a fork was less visible.
Otherwise good fun, although they caught me with the English question, where I shared m_kingdom's view...;-)
1. Not only in Austria, but also in Austria's beloved ( ;-) ) sister country of Germany, it is customary to look each other in the eyes when clinking glasses. This is especially relevant when toasting to a person of the opposite sex as there is a saying that not looking into your opposite's eye will lead to having bad sex (with that person or any other) - and who would want to run that high a risk ?
2. While it is indeed required that you use your fork for cutting your potatoes in better German restaurants (and being a traditionalist myself IMHO anywhere else, too) instead of a knife, the reason is not the one outlined in that quiz. Whereas they say that this is meant to ensure that the potato can absorb the gravy, this tradition dates back a bit to days when tableware was made of silver and not the nowadays customary stainless steel. The starch from the potatoes would cause the blades to loose their shine, whereas such loss in a fork was less visible.
Otherwise good fun, although they caught me with the English question, where I shared m_kingdom's view...;-)
