Belgian Chocolates

Etiquette Asian restaurants and tips for finding gifts

Eating is one of the most essential communication and entertainment in Asia. Meals, label and investments have many important meanings and you should make a special effort to know and understand them. If you uncomfortable in a certain situation does not feel free to ask your host. They do not consider your embarrassing questions, but showing respect and interest in their culture.

Invitation by a host of Asia

• Invitations should be recognized regardless of the decline or accept.
• Never came too soon, be on time and a little late. Exception: Chinese weddings are always late!
• If you do not know what to wear to a formal invitation and / or a special occasion and it is not indicated on the invitation, ask your host.
• Wear modest clothing, the invitation in a Muslim household.
• A verbal thank you enough for you, but a phone call per day is greatly appreciated later. The flowers are a Western custom and are either sent before the event or the next day.

Invite a guest from Asia

• Keep your dog locked up as Muslims are not contact with dogs. Chinese are often afraid of dogs.
• Respect others fasting month of Ramadan at the invitation to your home.
• Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol. If you receive an unexpected guest you need to serve drinks.
• Inquire about dietary restrictions when the invitation for lunch or dinner. Muslims must eat halal which means that food and beverage punished by Allah for consumption. Examples of Haram (forbidden) foods include pork, alcohol, shortening lard, animal shortening, gelatin, pepsin, monoglycerides, animal hormones didlyceride example. emulsifiers, if animal.
• Your guests may be vegetarian, or can not eat pork (Muslims) or beef (Hindu). The safest choice is fish, chicken and vegetables.

To eat Chinese style

• dinners Chinese are a lively affair with lots of laughter and shared flat. Diners eat quickly and leave the table to move quickly to another location.
• Your hosts will be happy to explain the food and traditions in relation to the meals served and warn you about spicy food. It is considered polite praise the food.
• It is not expected to be a master of eating with chopsticks and a fork and may request a spoon instead.
• Chinese hosts put food on your plate and if you want to reciprocate, you must activate your chopsticks and use the other end.
• Dropping chopsticks is a sign of bad luck and you should not stick the chopsticks in a bowl of rice and never cross each other.
• The food is transferred from one dish to another by spoons.
• Do not take the last food on a plate unless invited to do so.
• The bones are removed from your mouth with chopsticks, if possible.

Restaurants Indian Muslims and Style

• When asked by Muslims and Hindus wait until you are invited to start dining and drinking.
• Use only the right hand. Use the serving spoon when you use the center.
• It is customary to start eating rice on the first meal begins.
• You are not authorized to serve food to others with your own utensils.
• When you eat with your fingers (eg, banana style sheets) to take a small quantity with fingertips only.
• You are allowed to pass on the dishes with the left hand supported by the right when your right hand is dirty.
• Drinking glasses can be lifted with the left hand 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 / Gift Taboo and colors of paper packing Asian

Buddhist / Taoist (eg Chinese, Thai, Indian, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese, Korean)

Rules and taboos

Give this in pairs, silver and flowers are an even number.

White flowers are taboo.

Colors wrapping

happy occasions: red, gold

Funeral: white, blue, black.

Wedding Gifts

No more scissors, knives, clocks, handkerchiefs. Gift certificates and money in a red envelope.

Gifts for babies and mothers

The stork / heron is the symbol of death in Chinese culture.

Muslims (For example, Malays, Indonesians, Indians)

The rules and taboos

Alcohol, cigarettes, ashtrays, wine glasses, scissors, knives, underwear, sleepwear, pork items or leather.

Colors wrapping

Favorites: Red (Love) Green (religion)

Wedding Gifts

Decorative or functional household items.

Gifts for babies and mothers

colorful dresses and jackets. No dog toy.

Hindus (Indian, Sri Lanka, Philippines)

Rules / taboos

Sweets, chocolates fruit

Taboos: No products of the cow, ashtrays, knives, wine glasses, alcohol, cigarettes, or white flowers

Colors wrapping

Red, gold, green and all colors

Gifts wedding

Decorative or functional household items.

Gifts for babies and mothers

Piece of gold jewelry or colorful clothes

About the Author

Jacqueline Reischel runs two online expatriate guides: enterShanghai.info is an award-winning Shanghai expat portal offering property search and also includes career information, immigration and other expat tips.

EnterSingapore.info is a step-by-step online relocation guide for expats. Search for houses, jobs and shopping and tips for living in Singapore

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