1.

American tabel manner

In the United States, there are two very important points to keep in mind: keep your elbows off the table and put the fork in the right hand. Although the European custom of placing the fork in the left and the knife in the right hand during a meal is spreading increasingly in the States as well,.Do not be surprised if you see an American cutting his food with the side of the fork instead of using a knife: this is also an accepted table custom. Small items, such as peas, are to be picked up with the fork only, without using the knife for assistance.

Also, fingerbowls are common in USA,these are not for drinking! Usually served with a slice of lemon, you are expected to dip your fingers in them lightly during and after your meal, and then dry the fingers with your napkin. If someone asks to pass the salt, you should pass both salt and pepper by putting it on the table and in reach of the person next to you. This person then picks it up and passes it on to the next person and so on. The salt and pepper is never passed from hand-to-hand but always by setting it on the table. Also, you should not serve yourself from the salt or pepper when you are passing it along. It is also considered impolite to use salt before having tasted the food as it implies the host does not know how to season correctly. Also be careful of how you place your cutlery during and after a meal: in Europe, fork and knife placed parallel to each other on the table indicate the end of a meal. In the States, it can indicate either the end, in which case the fork and knife are placed parallel in the center of the plate, or expecting to get a second serving, in which case they are also placed parallel but on the right side of the plate to make room for more food.

2. Japanesse Tabel Manner

Here are considered good table manners by the Japanese?

1. Seating arrangement. When dining with a group either in a restaurant or in a private home, the Japanese observe a seating arrangement. The most important guest is always seated farthest away from the entrance, usually with his back to the front of the tokonoma, the raised alcove that contains decorative scrolls, bonsai and ikebana. The host, on the other hand, is supposed to sit nearest to the entrance to the room. While many homes in Japan are already furnished the Western style, there are still homes where the traditional low tables are used during mealtimes and everyone joining the meal sits on the floor. In this case, women are supposed to sit with their knees folded and their legs to one side. Only men are allowed to sit cross-legged. 2. Greetings and thanks. Before starting a meal, the Japanese say itadakimasu, which is an expression of gratefulness for the food served. After eating, they say gochisosama deshita, meaning Thank you for the meal. 3. Chopsticks. Chopsticks are simple to use with practice. The etiquette surrounding the use of chopsticks, however, is not so simple. Here are the reasons why:

a. b.

Chopsticks are held at the end, not in the middle or on the tip. Chopsticks are not supposed to be used to point at people or at things. Waving chopsticks about in the air, playing with them and using them to move objects on the table are also frowned upon.

c.

It is bad manners to stick chopsticks into food, especially rice. Chopsticks are poked through rice only at funerals. It is also the height of bad manners to give people food directly to their chopsticks. That is because during funerals, the bones of the cremated person are passed along from person to person in that way.

d.

After the meal, chopsticks are supposed to be laid down with the tips pointing left.

4. Serving food. In the west, when food is served, they are either served individually or placed in platters accompanied by serving utensils. In Japan, food is seldom served individually and the diner is supposed to serve himself. Unless there are serving chopsticks provided, if the diner has already eaten with his chopsticks, he should use the ends of his chopsticks when getting more food.

a. Eating rice. The rice bowl is lifted to the mouth. Rice is then pushed to the mouth using chopsticks. If there is sauce on the rice, like in Japanese curry, spoons are provided. b. Eating soups. Miso soup is drunk straight from the bowl. The same goes for ramen, although ceramic spoons are often provided with ramen. c. Eating noodles. Noodles, especially ramen, are eaten hot through controlled slurping. Yes, it is good manners to slurp noodles. While the noodles are slurped in, the diner uses his chopsticks to guide the noodles from the bowl at the same time. d. Soy sauce and wasabi. Pour only a small amount of soy sauce when eating sushi and sashimi, enough for what you need. Wasting soy sauce is seen as offensive in Japan. Also, it is not necessary to add wasabi to the soy sauce when eating sushi because some sushi already have it added while some are not supposed to be eaten with wasabi. e. Drinking alcohol. The drinking does not start until everyone is served their cups or glasses and the drinking salute of kampai is called. The Japanese do not serve themselves when drinking; instead, they serve their companions. They continually check their companions cups and refill when needed. Whenever one is offered a refill, if the glass still has some drinks in it, it is considered good manners to finish that glass quickly and hold it out towards the person offering the refill

3. Turkish tabel manner

It will be rather rare to receive a home invitation for lunch or dinner in Turkey. However, if you have the good fortune to be invited, accept. Like in Germany, bring flowers, but never bring a bottle. Turkey is, after all, a Muslim country and you can make a big mistake there. You may bring chocolates instead.

When arriving, take off your shoes, even if your host tells you that it's not necessary. They have an array of slippers waiting by the door.

Food in Turkey, particularly chicken, is more often eaten with your fingers than with cutlery. Lemon cologne will be splashed over your hands before the meal starts and again afterward.

For religious reasons, lift only your right hand to your mouth. Your hostess will say: Afiyet Olson, which means: enjoy your meal and you reply the same. Make sure that the most senior diner is served before you and, although Turkish meals are a lively affair, never speak with food in your mouth.

Unlike Germany, asking for a second helping is a compliment, so go ahead. When using cutlery, the continental way applies, that is to say, fork in your left hand and knife in your right. Compliment the food and, if offered, accept a Turkish coffee to round off the meal.

Need a few tips for helping your kids shape up their table manners in time for Turkey Day? The RitzCarlton offers a course. Here are some of their basic tips:

1. Wait for the host's invitation before taking your seat. 2. Keep your elbows and hands off of the table. Put hands in your lap when you are not using them. 3. Try your food before adding any condiments or seasoning. 4. Chew with your mouth closed. Talk only when your mouth is empty. 5. Don't wave or point with your silverware. 6. Ask for items, such as bread or salad dressing, that are beyond your reach rather than reaching over someone else. Don't forget to say "please" and "thank-you." 7. Begin eating with the silverware furthest from your plate. 8. Use the bread plate to the left of your dinner plate. 9. Use the glass to the right of your dinner plate. Use the glass closest to you first. 10. Place your knife and fork side by side on the edge of your plate when finished. 11. Ask to be excused before leaving the table. 12. Write a thank you note to the host within a week.