Table Manners (2) 4/7

Watch your arms
Americans may think you look sloppy if you put your elbows on the table while you’re eating. But people from France and Russia consider it rude to place your hands below the table.

How can you make everyone happy?
Rest your wrists on the edge of the table when you’re not using your hands to eat.

Utensils
Even in countries where people use forks and knives as opposed to chopsticks, people use them in different ways. In Thailand, people use forks only to push food onto the spoons they eat with.

Imitate the locals
Europeans hold the knife in their dominant hand and the fork in the other hand throughout the entire meal. But Americans cut off a piece of food, lay down the knife and move the fork to their dominant hand. When they want to cut another piece, they pick the knife up again. Dining etiquette can be confusing, but don’t worry. Next time you travel, do some research beforehand – and imitate the locals. You can make a good impression – and maybe even some new friends.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: When In Rome教學主題: 入境隨俗
Hello, friends! Have you ever been to Rome? If you have, did you do as the Romans do?

Ken, I think we need to explain to our students that what you just said is reference to a common expression.

You’re right, Steve. When in Rome do as the Romans do is a common saying and usually has nothing to do with the Rome or the Romans.

Right, it just means that when you are visiting a new place, could be Rome. You should try to follow with the locals do. I remember when I first visited Beijing and a friend took me a restaurant and ordered some thousands years old eggs. I didn’t quite know what to do, so the friend said to me.

Oh, come on, Steve! Give it a try, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

So I took one up with my chopsticks and put it in my mouth. And it was actually not bad.

So this expression is basically saying, once you tried to fit in, a simulate or conform to what is socially acceptable when they are  visiting a new place. But Steve, do you think it’s always a good idea?

Not always. Remember, just because everyone else doing something doesn’t always mean it’s right. Or that you have to do it too.

Language Lab
sloppy adj.
not careful or neat : showing a lack of care, attention, or effort
- Your work has been very sloppy lately.

as opposed to 相對於
— used to refer to something that is different from what has just been mentioned

dominant adj.
more important, powerful, or successful than most or all others
- The company is now dominant in its market.

beforehand adv.
in advance : at an earlier or previous time
- We paid for our tickets beforehand.

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