How To Avoid A Nudge From The Judge
Would you know how to politely decline a handshake from a judge if they offer it? What do you do when a speaker at your table starts talking loudly during the meal? How can you keep your voice down when sitting with an older or more prestigious person? While these situations might be a normal part of life in the United States, they're not always intuitive. In this post, we'll cover what Americans need to know about dining etiquette in different cultures and regions around the world.
We'll start by listing American culture's top three social taboos that are especially likely to offend people who come from other cultural backgrounds: nosy questions, loud voices and public displays of affection. These are things that you wouldn't generally consider rude if you grew up in America, but they can be offensive to people from more communal societies.
Don't ask nosy questions.
Nosy questions are ones like "why did your husband leave you?" or "what do you think about abortion?" These questions demonstrate a lack of interest in the other person as a human being and their life circumstances, and can be very insulting. Instead, Americans should speak about themselves and people around them rather than asking others personal questions.
Avoid public displays of affection.
People who grew up in the United States might think that public displays of affection are common and expected in intimate relationships. But it's important to remember that most cultures around the world have different norms. Because of this, many American tourists are very uncomfortable when they accidentally form an intimate bond with the people they meet while traveling. These travelers should be extra careful when touching their romantic partners in public and make sure that they behave appropriately when meeting locals who may take their display of affection as a rude breach of etiquette.
To avoid violating these taboos, American tourists should always follow local customs and speak politely with others, even in situations where they might feel like they're not being respected. For instance, even though it might seem rude in America to wear a hat indoors, visitors from other cultures won't think much of it in their home countries.
Don't speak loudly at the table.
Americans have a reputation for speaking loudly at the dinner table and being quite loud overall. This is true in some contexts, like when talking on the phone or during sports events. But if you're dining with others, you should avoid speaking very loudly or relying on your voice to carry throughout the room.
To be most respectful, you should lower your voice and speak more quietly to show that you're aware of others around you. You can also ask the person sitting next to you to repeat what they just said – this will work much better if it's a low volume situation rather than a loud one. If your table is too quiet, it might be because a lot of people in the group are sharing instructions and reminders with each other so that they don't forget any details. So try talking louder if there aren't many people talking at once.
Don't touch me during the meal.
This rule is especially true in Middle Eastern countries, where people have very low tolerance for physical contact between strangers. In these cultures, people often sit at separate tables and don't make physical contact with each other, even during the meal. Even if you're a close friend or family member of the person sitting at a table in front of you, you should still be careful not to get too close.
If you do accidentally touch someone on the shoulder, it's important to apologize quickly and move away from them. If you're sitting next to someone who touches or brushes up against you when they pass by your table, it's considered polite to lean away from them slightly to avoid personal contact.
How To Communicate With Your Waiter And Waitress
When talking to your waiter or waitress in an American restaurant, there are some things that you should keep in mind:
Be polite.
You should always be polite when speaking to your waiter and waitress, especially if you aren't sure about the proper way to address them. Remember that if something is bothering you, it might be best to approach the manager and speak with someone from the front desk rather than directly with your server or hostess. The manager is probably less likely to get upset with you than your server would.
Don't discuss your private matter in public.
This can be a controversial issue and people grow up with different opinions on the subject. But we recommend American travelers to refrain from discussing private matters in public, especially when it could offend others or make them feel uncomfortable. For example, you should avoid discussing financial issues like taxes or business deals with someone you're just getting to know. This can make you seem very inconsiderate for not thinking about how it makes the other person feel.
Politely ask for what you want if it's not being served with your meal.
If you've ordered a meal that's different from the typical style in your country, you should ask your waiter or waitress if they can make any changes. If you don't ask for what you want, your meal won't be prepared the way it should be. For example, if you're in Italy and ordering a pizza with lots of toppings, it's polite to let them know that you would like something without meat on it.
Be cautious about what you say about the food.
Many cultures around the world value taste over presentation and some people feel that something is more important than how something looks. In America, we're very judgmental about the way things look and it's considered impolite to say anything about this in front of your waiter or waitress.
We recommend that people who eat at restaurants listen to the waiter and accept their recommendations. Never make negative comments about how your food looks or tastes – especially if you're unsure about what is being served. Instead, you can omit a comment altogether by only eating the things that are being served with your meal.
Don't ask for a box until you're finished eating.
Remember never to ask for a box until you're done with your meal in America, or else your server might be offended. In many cultures, it's considered very rude to ask for a box while you're still eating your meal – especially if you're still taking small bites. The waiter should come back to check on you and ask if you're satisfied with your meal before you're finished.
How To Answer Your Phone
When answering your cellphone in different countries, there are some things that you have to keep in mind:
Don't use your phone during a meal.
While diners in many countries might use their phones during meals, it's considered very rude in America. Don't answer your phone or make any calls when dining with friends or family members – even if they don't say anything to you about it.
Conclusion
We hope that our list of common American etiquette rules will help you have a great time while traveling in America. Remember to always be respectful and follow the rules, even if you don't feel like it. You might find it very rewarding and fun to practice American manners for your next trip to the US.