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Randerolf · 07-25-2005, 11:05 PM

I’m reading a book on proper business etiquette from around the world. As a guy who has always enjoyed learning about people and their cultures, but has lived in the same town (Jacksonville, FL, USA) his whole live – the commentary is interesting. It has also brings up a few questions and observations.

While drinking soup in the UK, move the spoon away from your body. Could someone explain this? Do you chase the spoon/ lean forward while you drink it?

In Latin America and around the Mediterranean people eat dinner around 10 PM. Here in Jacksonville, the last big push for reservations is at around 8 PM.

Chinese are not quiet when drinking soup. I think that I’ve seen a video of diners slurping loudly from their spoon. (or was it from the bowl?)

In Muslim cultures, using the left hand can be dubious. Shake hands or pass food with your right hand.

At a diner event in South Korea, you should never add alcohol to your own glass or add alcohol to a glass that is already filled (you should pour for other people once their glass is empty). The book said that this is also true for Japan along with other regulations.

I was working one night and a party of Russian businessmen were drinking vodka heavily - constantly giving speeches and toasting to one another. I now understand why.

What have you witnessed? What have you discovered abroad?

07-25-2005, 11:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randerolf Fireball Location: ~	Foreign Culture and Decorum I’m reading a book on proper business etiquette from around the world. As a guy who has always enjoyed learning about people and their cultures, but has lived in the same town (Jacksonville, FL, USA) his whole live – the commentary is interesting. It has also brings up a few questions and observations. While drinking soup in the UK, move the spoon away from your body. Could someone explain this? Do you chase the spoon/ lean forward while you drink it? In Latin America and around the Mediterranean people eat dinner around 10 PM. Here in Jacksonville, the last big push for reservations is at around 8 PM. Chinese are not quiet when drinking soup. I think that I’ve seen a video of diners slurping loudly from their spoon. (or was it from the bowl?) In Muslim cultures, using the left hand can be dubious. Shake hands or pass food with your right hand. At a diner event in South Korea, you should never add alcohol to your own glass or add alcohol to a glass that is already filled (you should pour for other people once their glass is empty). The book said that this is also true for Japan along with other regulations. I was working one night and a party of Russian businessmen were drinking vodka heavily - constantly giving speeches and toasting to one another. I now understand why. What have you witnessed? What have you discovered abroad?