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Table Manners are not objective

The phenomenon of globalisation has accustomed people of different countries to buy, use and like the same things. There are, however, habits and traditions that vary from one country to another. Table manners are one of these. Table manners refer to the rules of etiquette while eating, including also the appropriate use of tools such as forks, knives and spoons. Obviously, as I have already said, table manners differ not only from one country to another, but different cultures and family standards play a basic role too.

Despite this, there are some rules which can be considered acceptable world-wide, like serving the guests before the hosts or, similarly, serving the eldest ones first. Putting your elbows on the table while eating or waiting fro the meal is considered very rude as is talking with your mouth open or chewing your meal in a noisy way. Another table manner which is considered a demonstration of good behaviour is asking permission before leaving the table.

In Afghanistan, for example, it is very common to eat collectively from one large plate and one should always eat from one's own side. Moreover, everyone starts reciting " Bismallah-er-Rahman-er-Raheem" in the name of their God and religion before eating; the habit of praying before consuming the meal is very common in these countries. On the other hand, people from western countries do not share this habit, except for families that are strong believers. In addition, most of the time women do not sit at the same table where men are consuming their meal because in Islamic countries women play a less important role.

Also in Japan table manners vary from those of Italy and the United Kingdom. In western countries, for example, slurping while eating soup is considered extremely rude and it is, without doubt, a sign of impoliteness. On the other hand, for Japanese people it is perfectly acceptable; in fact they maintain that inhaling air while eating hot noodles improves the flavour.

In Malaysia, for example, you should never leave your plate empty after eating. This is a custom shared by different countries but if I think of Italy and especially of my grandmother, I can undoubtedly affirm that she would be offended and demoralised if her guests left something on their plates because that meant that they had not appreciated the meal.

Finally, after all these examples, we can state that table manners are to be considered a symbol of good manners and behaviour all over the world but we have to bear in mind that they can vary from one culture or country to another; table manners are definitely subjective.