Table customs are different around

Table customs are different around the world. If you are in Thailand, this information will help you.

In Thailand, people do not eat with chopsticks, like in China, Japan, and Korea. They use spoon and forks. They never use knives. Most food is already cut. If you need to cut things, use the side of your spoon and then use your fork. The spoon is more important than the fork. If you are right-handed, keep the spoon in your right hand and the fork in your left hand.

People usually have the rice in a separate bowl. The rice is not on the same plate with the other food. It is not necessary to finish all your rice or all your food. It is good to leave a little on your plate. If you eat everything, it means you want more.

People always offer you more food. The host will ask you two or three times if you want more food. First, you must say no. Then the host insists again, and you must say no again. The host insist a third time, and you finally say yes and take a little. If you really don't want any more, take very little and leave it on your plate. It is the same with whatever you are drinking. During the meal, never empty your cup or glass. When it is less than half full, your host or neighbor will refill it. Never fill your own glass. This means that the host always keep an eye on the guest's glass all through the meal.

The most important place at a table is at the middle. An important guest will sit at the middle of the table on the side, and the host will sit at the middle on the other side. This may be confusing when the table is round, but the Thai get it right somehow.