Etiquettes

The Cambridge Dictionary defines Etiquettes as “the set of rules or customs that control accepted behaviour in particular social groups or social situations.”

In simple words, it is the way you are supposed to behave in a particular situation. For example, simple practices like wishing someone Good Morning, addressing someone with a particular title (Sir, Doctor, Professor, Your Honour, Your Majesty), shaking hands when meeting a new person, giving a hug to a social acquaintance, using specific cutlery (spoon, fork, knife) when eating particular food items and many other things could be a part of etiquettes.

Following the rules of etiquettes make a person seem well behaved and sophisticated. There are very specific rules which need to be followed in formal situations. 

Here are some etiquettes specific to particular places, cultures or situations.

India

Religion plays a major role in the life and customs of many Indians. Be aware of the religious affiliation of the person that you are with and the particular customs associated with their religion.

The top of the head is the most important of the body. It is considered rude to touch the head of another person or a religious deity.

The feet are considered to be dirty. Do not point your feet at others, especially when seated. It is definitely a taboo (in places other than India also), to place your feet on the furniture.

In many households (and even some commercial establishments), it is customary to remove your footwear near the door. It is common to walk around the house in bare feet.

The right hand must be used to eat and pass things to others. Difficult for south paws, but definitely frowned upon by orthodox folks. The left hand is considered impure (as it is used for washing after you do the doo). Definitely avoid using the left hand to touch food. 

Wash your hands before you eat. A lot of Indian food is eaten with hands. Although the use of cutlery is not particularly frowned upon, it is okay to use your hands, especially, if the others are comfortable doing so.

Consumption of alcohol is considered taboo by many people. Be mindful of the local customs.

Touching the feet of an elder and religious statues is a mark of great respect.

Rather than shaking hands or giving a hug, it is customary to fold hands in a namaste to greet others, especially females or the elderly.

It is customary to carry a small box of sweets or a gift, when visiting others.

Joyous occasions and celebrations involve distributing sweets to one and all.

Punctuality is not exactly a virtue, especially in social meetings.

Food Etiquettes

• In India, always eat with your right hand.
• The French would frown upon you, if you eat your bread before your food. Do not offer to split the bill. Either foot the entire bill, or let someone else do it.
• When in Italy, never order a cappuccino after a meal. Never add extra condiments to your pizza. Never mix seafood and cheese.
• The Japanese consider it bad luck to stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. Also, never pass food using chopsticks. While making noises while eating your food may be frowned upon, the Japanese consider loudly slurping your noodles to be a compliment to the chef. No tipping.
• In Thailand, it is considered rude to put food in your mouth with a fork.
• In Mexico, your wrists are supposed to be on the table, when eating. It is socially acceptable to eat with your hands, if the others are also doing so. Wait for the host to give a cue, before you start stuffing your face. When eating with cutlery, do not switch between your knife and fork.
• In China, never cross or lick your chopsticks. Belches are welcome! They are seen as a compliment to the chef. If you are done eating, leave some food on your plate.
• In Egypt, never add extra salt to your food. Also, wait for someone else to refill your glass. It is polite to offer to refill your neighbour’s glass.
• In Chile, it is rude to touch food with your hands. Use cutlery. Even for French fries and pizza! Bread maybe an exception to this rule.
• In South Korea, start eating only after the eldest at the table has started.

Greeting Etiquettes

• In certain regions of the Gulf states and among the Inuit people of Canada and Greenland, it is common to touch noses as a form of greeting! Make sure to use some mouth wash before you do so.
• Mother often frowns upon the child who sticks out its tongue. It is rude! Not so in Tibet. For long, it has been customary to greet people by sticking out one’s tongue. Story goes that there once was a king with a black tongue, who was not a good person. It is believed that he would be reincarnated. Sticking out one’s tongue and showing its colour was an indication that one was not that king!
• The Japanese bow down as a form of respect. However, there are numerous variations to the custom. The depth of your bow and your position – standing or kneeling – depends on a lot of factors including the person to who you bow, the kind of relationship that you have and the sentiment (greeting, gratitude, apology) that you wish to express.
• Cheek kissing seems to be a Western form of greeting to many Indians. However, one must know that there are many pointers to be kept in mind, depending on the place – Which cheek? What distance? How many times… they vary…
• In the African regions of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, clapping hands is a form of greeting. However, there are specific rules as to how the palms are slapped together.

Gifting Etiquettes

• In many countries of Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore), it is common for the receiver to refuse the gift a few times, before finally accepting it. This may be to avoid looking like a greedy or impatient person. However, once you accept, you are expected to thank the giver.
• In India, one must never use the left hand to hand over a gift. Often, both hands are used to gently present the gift to the other person. Similarly, it is polite to use both hands (palms up) to receive the gift.
• In many countries, it is bad form to give sharp objects (like knives or scissors) as gifts, as they symbolize severing of relations.
• Many regions place significance on numbers. Avoid gifting in units of four, especially in Japan. The word for death is similar to the word for four. In India, when gifting money, it is customary to gift one over a round figure; like 11, 51, 101 and so on.
• In certain middle eastern countries, it is considered embarrassing to receive a gift from anyone but the closest of friends.
• Should I open the gift right in front of the giver or not? Customs vary from place to place. It would be advisable to research the local traditions beforehand.

Random Etiquettes

• In Greece, there is an old tradition of guests pretending to spit on the Bride and Groom at a wedding. This is supposed to protect them from evil spirits.
• In China, if you are offered an entire fish to eat, never flip it over. It brings bad luck.
• To say no, you shake your head, left to right. To say yes, you nod your head, up and down. Not in Bulgaria! They do it the other way around.
• In Korean culture, only the names of the dead are written in red.
• A thumbs up is usually a sign of approval. Not in countries like Greece, Iran, Russia and parts of West Africa. It is considered the equivalent of flipping someone off.
• The OK hand gesture (your forefinger touches your thumb) is considered as an accusation of homosexuality in Turkey.
• In Indonesia, you must never point with your index finger. Instead, use your thumb.
• When you are satiated after a meal, you may say, “I’m Stuffed.” In Australia, people may mistake the expression to mean, you are pregnant.
• Tipping is customary (to the verge of seeming mandatory) in the US. Waitstaff often rely on tips for a living. The Internet is full of anecdotes about tiffs between the staff and patrons on account of tips.