The etiquette of dining in a foreign country goes beyond knowing when to use certain utensils or your hands, instead it encompasses the very tenants of the cuisine itself. Traveling allows you to look beyond the familiarities of your common kitchen to experience the habits of different cultures as well as bask in the distinct flavors of the local culinary heritage. The dining experience around the world celebrates the senses, from the texture of a dish to the aroma, not solely focusing on its visual aesthetic or taste but the combination of all five senses for an overwhelming sensation in every bite.
The cuisine of a destination informs visitors of the surrounding culture by highlighting historic flavors, customary cooking methods, personal values, and the etiquette associated with the kitchen and dining room. Food travels the globe with immigrants and emigrants, tourists and expatriates, as a form of cultural identity and preservation and becomes a symbol of pride. Food is also a means of connecting with home while adapting to the changing palate over time and takes into consideration the appetite of the local community. The following countries have practices that maintain different styles of etiquette associated with their cuisine which are inherent to the heritage and are connected to the importance of the culture.