1. 18 november/december 2014
turning it back over. This method of eating
keeps the rice from getting wet and falling
apart and places the neta directly onto the
tongue, giving a better sense of the topping
flavor.
More casual dining experiences will be common
for tourists who are exploring the country and
simply stopping to enjoy a quick meal before
continuing their journey. Yosenex Orengo, a
librarian and Japanese-culture enthusiast, who
has divided his time between living in New
York and Japan over the past 10 years says,“If
you dine at Japanese fast food restaurants like
Yoshinoya, Nakau or Matsuya, be sure to see if
there is a ticket vending machine before you
sit down. Customers are expected to use these
machines to place their orders before sitting.
A ticket will be printed and you simply hand it
to the clerk.”Japanese sanitary standards don’t
allow the person who is preparing food to touch
money for payment.
In Japan, it is wise to carry cash, as many
establishments do not accept credit cards,
particularly smaller businesses that would
provide a more authentic experience. Don’t fret
if your Japanese language skills are not strong.
Many restaurants display images of their dishes.
Simply pointing to the food you desire will be
sufficient.
TravelingtoJapananddrinkingsakéorsearching
outtuckerinAustraliaaretempting. AsAmericans
expecttoberespectedbyforeignvisitorstotheir
country,localsexpectthesamecourtesywhenvisited
bytouristsfromtheUnitedStates.Learningthebasics
oflocalculturepriortotravelingiseasy,withabit
ofresearchandnofearofaskingquestions.Start
studyingbelowwithanetiquettetourthroughafew
oftheworld’smostpopulardestinations.
By Dorothy Crouch
Japanese Shokuji Jikan
In this country whose culture is deeply rooted in ties
with nature and traditions of honoring ancestors,
the Japanese take great care in details and artistry
of daily life. Whether hosting a seemingly simple tea
ceremony or performing Kabuki, Japan’s citizens are
proud, yet accommodating.
If a journey through Japan includes dining within
a local home, the customary gesture of gratitude
toward the person who prepared the meal is the
gassho. By bringing hands together in front of
the chest and saying“itadakimasu,”which means
receive or accept. It is polite to finish every morsel
of food that touches the chopsticks when dining,
including each individual grain of rice. Knives, forks
and spoons are deemed unnecessary. To eat soup,
simply lift a bowl to the mouth and drink. It is also
common practice to lift a bowl of rice to the mouth,
making the act of eating rice much easier.
Visits to Japan will usually include dining on sushi,
at some point during the trip. Whether choosing the
casual kaiten-zushi establishments or a more formal
sushi restaurant, guidelines exist for eating this
cuisine. The Japan National Tourism Organization
recommends adhering to the following practices
when eating at a sushi restaurant in Japan:
• Eat sushi with your hands. It is not rude to eat
sushi in this manner.
• Pour your own soy sauce serving into a small
plate. Most kaiten-zushi restaurants have ‘gari’
(pickled ginger slices) and tea available on a
self-service basis.
• When eating nigiri-zushi, turn the sushi over so
the neta (topping) is facing downwards, apply
soy sauce, and put it in your mouth without
Brazilian cuisine
Essential Global Dining Etiquette

2. 19november/december 2014
Etiqueta em Brazil
Brazil has a reputation as a country that boasts chic,
festive urban centers, sizzling beaches and lush
green rainforests. While this exotic, celebration-
loving destination might seem to embrace free
spirits, social norms do govern the behavior of
Brazilians. Customs also vary according to city
and social setting. For instance, locals are not
generally punctual, yet within a business setting it
is recommended that visitors respect agreed upon
meeting times.
When eating in Brazil, visitors recognize characteristics
that define the regional cuisine, such as the delectably
seasoned cuts of meat available in the country’s
churrascarias, delectable bauru sandwiches and rich
bean-laden dishes –
including the popular
feijoada, all of which
should be washed
down with a refreshing
caipirinha, a cocktail
that includes cachaça
(a Brazilian spirit), lime
juice and sugar.
Brazil tourism specialist,
João H. Rodrigues,
offered some advice to
diners from the United
States who are visiting
one of the many
popular churrascarias
for the first time, saying,
“When dining at a 'rodizio churrascaria,' use the
green/red signs to indicate when the servers should
add more meat to your plate.” These restaurants
offer a dining experience comparable to no other
in the world. Translating from Portuguese to the
English word for barbecue, churrascarias are far from
your typical backyard family reunion. A more formal
affair, comparable to dinner at a fine steakhouse, the
churrascaria resembles a culinary festival. Waiters
navigate around tables while carrying spits that hold
the evening’s protein options: beef, lamb, chicken
and pork. Vegetarians fear not! These establishments
also include buffet-style islands, where a variety
of accouterments, such as cheese, pasta, rice, and
regional fruit and vegetables can be found.
Some restaurants choose to serve a plate of an
array of appetizers to guests while they await their
main courses. Prior to digging in, ask if the food is
complimentary or inquire about the cost: Quanto
custa este? (How much does it cost?) Though
Rodrigues mentions that this food should be
complimentary, there have been cases of tourists
disputing the check if the appetizer is charged. While
tipping is not customary in Brazil, as a service charge is
included on the check, many restaurants will display
a caixinha, or tipping box, during the holiday season.
Dining Down Under
Australia’s culture is similar to the United States.
Gregarious and adventurous, Aussies are friendly
and not afraid of having too much fun. Locals are
known for their sense of humor, therefore any
comments made in jest are expected to receive a
witty response.
If afforded the opportunity to attend a barbie, or
barbecue, visitors should accept the invitation. The
Aussie barbie is fun, casual and an important part
of the country’s culture.
Be sure to arrive on time
when attending a barbie
and bring something
to share or a gift for the
host.
In Australia, certain dining
rules do exist, however,
visitors who are not
familiar with or don’t use
them are not viewed as
offensive, as the culture is
extremely laidback. Local
Australian specialties
include Moreton Bay
bugs, which are similar to
lobster and indigenous to
the South Pacific; prawns; barramundi, an indigenous
fish; pavlova, a meringue dessert named for ballerina
Anna Pavlova; lamingtons, a chocolate-dipped,
coconut-covered sponge cake; and, of course,
Vegemite. Vegemite, the Aussie dietary staple, which
is used in Australia as Americans eat peanut butter,
has been an integral component to the culture of the
country. Be forewarned, while Vegemite is a spread,
only a small amount of this concentrated yeast-
extract product is necessary. Try Vegemite on toast to
eat as a true local. While not yet as popular with the
locals as Vegemite, Australian fare such as kangaroo,
crocodile and emu are gaining momentum and
can be found on restaurant menus, especially those
located in tourist districts.
Though each country has distinctive social norms,
many universal common travel courtesies also exist.
One gesture that gains a great amount of respect
from the locals is learning a bit of the language.
Bilingual Books produces helpful, convenient, basic
language guides named Language Maps. The small,
tri-fold, laminated guides easily fit in a purse or the
pocket of a jacket. Study on the plane and reference
throughout the journey.
Casual outdoor dining in Australia
While learning more of any of these
languages will help during travels, it takes
only a small effort to learn a few key phrases
of a language to gain the respect of locals
and, potentially, new local friends. Begin by
studying these key phrases:
Japan
Hello..................................... Kon'nichiwa
Thank you.......................... Arigatō
Do you speak English?
Anata wa eigo o hanashite imasu ka?
Yes......................................... Hai
No.......................................... Īe
Japanese language tip: Japanese culture
dictates a custom of specifying the quantity
of items when placing an order. A clerk will
often ask if you want only one order. It’s
possible to bypass this by saying“one order
of______,”which in Japanese would be
"_______ wo hitotsu"
Brazil (Portuguese)
Hello................................ Olá
Thank you...................... Obrigado
Do you speak English?.Você fala Inglês
Yes.................................... Sim
No.................................... Não
Australia
Yes, English is the official language of
Australia, yet Aussie vernacular includes a few
words and phrases that would be helpful for
travelers to know.
Afternoon....................... Arvo
Mc Donald’s................... Macca’s
A bar................................ Hotel
(Also means a place of accommodation)
Breakfast........................ Brekky
Flat White....................... Australian coffee
topped with steamed
milk