Quote:
Originally Posted by WT Sharpe
Speaking of table manners...
Writing for MSM, Gilly Pickup states, "If sitting down to a Canadian Inuit meal, your hosts will be delighted if you burp after dinner - it's shorthand for thanks."
I seem to remember reading in an Ian Fleming James Bond novel when I was a teenager that in China it was considered good manners to belch after a meal; a sort of compliment to the chef. The louder the belch, the more appreciative you were of the cooking. I have no idea if that's true, or even if my recollection is accurate, but it doesn't work any magic on my wife. |
I don't know about Inuit table manners other than it's OK to eat raw whale blubber with your fingers, biting a mouthful from a large chunk then cutting it off close to the lips. Hiccoughing is NOT recommended at that time.
But belching in China, or most East Asian or S.E. Asian cultures in NOT considered 'good' manners nor is it considered 'bad' manners. They don't consider it at all. It just 'is.' Of course, picking one's nose is not considered bad manners in Thailand, and it's 'fun' to watch your waiter digging deep while carrying your food...
Good manners in China and Japan dictate finishing everything in your bowl. Especially every last grain of rice. (Waaay too many times of starvation.) This does NOT include alcoholic beverages... If you finish the glass it WILL be refilled. Even if you only take a few sips it WILL be refilled. If you don't want more, leave the glass full. And do NOT pour for yourself!!! You pour for your neighbor and he pours for you!
Quote:
Then again, in You Only Live Twice we read these words:
Tiger held up a hand. 'And that is another thing. No swearing, please. There are no swear-words in the Japanese language and the usage of bad language does not exist.'
I'm not sure I believe that, either.
|
Actually, almost accurate. Aimed at other people, there are one or two (only) in limited use these days, but they are 'borrowed words' from English. Otherwise, the nastiest you may hear is 'kuso' (solid fecal matter) when something goes seriously wrong, or 'bakka' to call someone crazy.
American curse words generally speak of sex and bodily functions, and the occasional relationship to one's parentage. You really need to listen to some good Middle Eastern cursing to hear some art.
Stitchawl