- With regard to behaviors: Daily meals are occasions for all family members to gather together, so normally a meal will not start until all of them are present. Therefore, one often tries not to keep the others waiting at meal times. Everyone is used to talking joyfully during the meal; however, they are not supposed to do this while chewing, or to speak of dirty things, tell frightening tales or scold someone else. As a Vietnamese proverb puts it: “Chớ eo xèo khi đãi khách. Chớ hậm hạch lúc ăn cơm” (Don’t complain while treating guests. Don’t be angry while having meals). Moreover, it is also considered discourteous to concentrate on eating without saying a word during the meal.