The Mind Creative DECEMBER 2014 | Page 45

The Mind Creative Italians believe that parmesan over seafood is an unpardonable sin while in certain cultures in Canada, farting after a meal implies satisfaction. In China, sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice is taboo. Should you finish the food in your plate? Well, not always. While Indians and Japanese will greatly appreciate it when you finish the items on your plate (a sign of enjoyment), the Chinese might find it a little rude since it would indicate that you have not been fed enough! In fact belching after the meal, with a few morsels of food left over on the plate and around it on the table, is the best way to please the Chinese! With beverages, you cannot beat the Bedouins who will keep on filling up your coffee cup once you finish drinking unless you shake it before returning the cup. In Bulgaria never take yellow flowers to dinner and while in Russia avoid putting your hands on your knees during dinner. Asking for salt and pepper in Portuguese restaurant would be very offensive to the chef and his cooking skills. 45