No. You bong it before you start the meal.

From what I read in other posts, you haven't even arrived here yet ... maybe you should settle down a bit before criticizing local customs What is 'proper manners' to you may not be proper manners to a 'local' (of equal social standing) and you may want to take stock before automatically assuming they are exhibiting 'bad manners'.

Speaking with food in your mouth does seem to be pretty universally outlawed ... but struggling to eat 'everything' with an inverted fork is likely to make people think you are suffering a disability ...

I think my parents were satisfied with our table manners as long my brother and I weren't slinging food at each other and weren't speaking with our mouths' full.

Of course. Properly.

Read and learn...

-

11 pages?

11 pages is nothing. This is the English we are talking about so you should see this as a preamble.

Keep in mind they once went to war over which way up an egg should be opened.

Are you threatening me?

The biggest thing regarding table manners that shocks me still over here is how people at the table start eating as soon as they are served, and I'm still waiting for my food!
My wife likes to cut her entire meal into bitesize portions before she starts to eat it.
Also I might be the only person who finds it easier to eat with the fork pointing down?

Yeah, I will always wait for everyone to have their food before starting to eat. Even at home I'll sit and wait until my wife (or whoever cooked/is serving the food) has sat down and taken her first bite before beginning my own meal.

I can't get used to the table etiquette here - I'm still getting used to being the only one using a knife. This may be just my own experience but the worst thing for me is the bloody noise. I don't know what the difference is, but I sometimes can't eat with all the slurping and smacking going on. Or being looked at like I have two heads because I am waiting to finish my mouthful of food before answering a question.

I hate sounding like an arse, but certain things get to me and that is one of them unfortunately. Being one who likes to fade into the background, I make it a point to be as quiet as possible when I eat so no-one notices me. Honestly sometimes I think I was just not made to be around others

This is not a country that is friendly to introverts, that is for sure. But even for all that, I still enjoy being here

It's not that big a deal guys! Much worse things going on! Maybe I have just been here longer and got used too the way things are, but I can't remember it ever bothering me enough to cause an issue

When in Rome and all that....

Now if you wanna talk about blinds being closed 24/7...ok i'm leaving!

Yeah, what is with that?

Although in all honesty, I don't completely open mine. But they're opened enough to see out and let the light in.

I have cunningly hit upon a signal to the server of my own since the knife and fork signal doesn't seem to work here. I crumple a tissue and put it on my plate when I'm finished. Works like a charm!

Yes but what we need is the signal for 'Please don't snatch the plate from under ny nose."

I have a solution for that too!! Why rest both your elbows in your plate and they can't lift it!!!

Done deal!!

I am on a roll with all the good advice I'm giving out today!!



Just have to work on staying away....