Dining is one of the most essential ways of communicating and entertaining in Asia. Meals, etiquette and placements have many important meanings and you should make a special effort to know and understand them. If you are uneasy in a certain situation do feel free to ask your host. They do not regard your questions as embarrassing but as showing respect and interest in their culture.
Invitation by an Asian host
- Invitations should be acknowledged regardless of declining or accepting.
- Never come too early, be on time or a little late. Exception: Chinese weddings are always delayed!
- If you are not sure what to wear for a formal invitation and/or for a special occasion and it is not indicated on the invitation, ask your host.
- Wear modest clothes when invited into a Muslim home.
- A verbal thank you is sufficient but a telephone call a day later is greatly appreciated. Flowers are a Western custom and are either sent before the event or the next day.
Inviting an Asian guest
- Keep your dog locked away as Muslims are not allowed contact with dogs. Chinese are often afraid of dogs.
- Respect the fasting month Ramadan when inviting others to your home.
- Muslims are not permitted to drink alcohol. If you receive an unexpected guest you need to serve drinks.
- Inquire about food restrictions when inviting for lunch or dinner. Muslims must eat halal which means food and drink sanctioned by Allah for consumption. Examples of Haram (prohibited) food are pork, alcohol, lard shortening, animal shortening, gelatin, pepsin, monoglyceride, animal hormones didlyceride eg. emulsifiers if of animal origin.
- Your guests may be vegetarian, or not allowed to eat pork (Muslims) or beef (Hindus). The safest choice is fish, chicken and vegetables.
Dining Chinese Style
- Chinese dinners are a lively affair with lots of laughter and dish sharing. Diners eat fast and leave the table soon to proceed to another location.
- Your hosts will be glad to explain food and traditions in connection with the meal served and warn you about spicy dishes. It is considered polite to praise the food.
- You are not expected to be a master of eating with chopsticks and may ask for a fork and a spoon instead.
- Chinese hosts will place food onto your plate and if you want to reciprocate you need to turn your chopsticks and use the other end.
- Dropping chopsticks is a sign of bad luck and you should not stick the chopsticks up in a bowl of rice and never cross one over the other.
- Food is transferred from one dish to the other by spoons.
- Do not take the last food of a dish unless invited to do so.
- Bones are removed from your mouth with the chopsticks if possible.
Dining Indian and Muslim Style
- When invited by Muslims and Hindus wait until you are invited to start eating and drinking.
- Only use the right hand. Use the serving spoon when serving yourself from the center.
- It is customary to start eating some rice first when the meal starts.
- You are not allowed to serve food to others with your own utensils.
- When eating with your fingers (e.g. banana leaf style) take a small amount with the tip of your fingers only.
- You are allowed to pass on the dishes with your left hand supported by your right when your right hand is soiled.
- Drinking glasses can be lifted with your left hand as well.
- You will be offered a finger bowl at the end of each meal to clean your fingers, which should not be licked.
Gifts/ Taboo gifts and wrapping paper colors in Asia
Buddhists/Taoists (e.g. Chinese, Thais, Indians, Indonesians, Sri Lankans, Taiwanese, Koreans)
Rules and Taboos
Give presents in pairs, money and flowers come in even numbers.
White flowers are taboo.
Colors of Wrapping Paper
Happy occasions: Red, gold
Funeral: white, blue, black.
Wedding Gifts
No scissors, knifes, clocks, handkerchiefs. Gift vouchers and money in a red envelope.
Gifts for Babies and Mothers
The stork/heron is the symbol of death in Chinese culture.
Muslims (e.g. Malays, Indonesians, Indians)
Rules and Taboos
Alcohol, cigarettes, ashtrays, wine glasses, scissors, knives, underclothes, sleepwear, articles of pork or leather.
Colors of Wrapping Paper
Favorites: Red (love) Green
Wedding Gifts
Decorative or functional household items.
Gifts for Babies and Mothers
Colorful dresses and jackets. No toy dogs.
Hindus (Indians, Sri Lankan, Filipinos)
Rules/Taboos
Sweets, fruits chocolates
Taboos: no cow products, ashtrays, knifes, wine glasses, alcohol, cigarettes, or white flowers
Colors of Wrapping Paper
Red, gold, green and all bright colors
Wedding Gifts
Decorative or functional household items.
Gifts for Babies and Mothers
Piece of gold jewelry or colorful clothing
Jacqueline Reischel is the managing partner for two online expatriate guides: enterShanghai.info is an award-winning Shanghai expat portal offering property search for houses, apartments and villas, and also includes career information, immigration and other expat tips.
EnterSingapore.info is a step-by-step online relocation guide for expatriates. Search for houses, flats and apartments, as well as jobs, visa information and other tips for living in Singapore.
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