Food habits in a new country can be fascinating and sometimes challenging for expatriates. It's often the aspect of home that people miss the most when they move abroad. What are the surprises awaiting expatriates in terms of "exotic" dishes and local dining etiquette?
Planning to dine late in Copenhagen?
"While in Copenhagen, I discovered that finding a meal after 9 PM was nearly impossible—everything was closed! This was a surprise since I'm used to places being open almost all hours back home," .
Contrastingly, in Spain, dining at 9:30 PM is perfectly normal. Restaurants there often don't open until 8 PM and get busiest around 9 PM. Recently, the Spanish Labor Minister raised concerns about this tradition, citing its potential negative effects on restaurant workers' well-being, according to . Despite this, resistance to her comments suggests that these dining hours are unlikely to change soon. Expatriates from countries like Germany or Sweden, where dinner is typically around 6 PM, may find this adjustment particularly challenging.
Meal times can indeed be a cultural shock for many expatriates. In France, for instance, lunch is still seen as the day's main meal, with breaks from 12 to 2 PM, though this is slowly changing to adapt to modern life's demands. The lengthy duration of meals can also be a surprise. A young recounted her experience dining with a family in Lyon: "The meal lasted at least two to three hours—it felt excessively long!"
Others appreciate the informality and quick pace of German meals. The practice of Abendbrot, or "evening bread," is easily adopted. It typically includes bread, charcuterie, cheese, and raw vegetables such as bell peppers, cucumbers, and pickles. This meal format not only saves time in preparation but also promotes healthy eating, according to the Welt newspaper, which highlights this popular German tradition.
What counts as "appetizing" on your plate?
The variety of unusual foods around the world is vast, including chicken feet, snake, veal head, century eggs, yak cheeses, grilled larvae, fermented tofu, frogs, mopane worms, and stewed iguana.
James, an , humorously recalls playing a recurring game of "Will The Foreigner Eat It?" with the locals, who took delight in testing his culinary limits with exotic dishes like jellyfish, pig ears, sea cucumbers, roasted scorpions, and beef tripe. While not all these tastes were enjoyable, James bravely accepted the challenge—until he met his match with durian, the infamously smelly Asian fruit. "I was revolted! It's the only thing I couldn't handle. One bite was too much!" Interestingly, many of these foods are not staples in local diets but are more often used to test the adventurousness of expatriates.
Another surprising aspect can be the absence of traditional desserts in some Asian countries, where the dessert menu might be very limited or completely absent. Savory breakfasts can also catch newcomers off guard: John recounts his initial surprise in Japan when confronted with a breakfast of miso soup, grilled fish, rice, and tsukemono (pickled vegetables). The novelty wears off after a few days when the realization dawns that this menu is hard to avoid. However, dietary habits are changing, and many Japanese today often skip the traditional savory breakfast due to time constraints.
Navigating table etiquette around the world
Hearing persistent mouth noises at the table? In some countries, it's perfectly normal. Contrary to what one might expect from the reserved and refined Japanese culture, visit any ramen shop in Japan, and you'll find that loud slurping is not just accepted—it's customary. However, don't let your guard down with chopsticks; placing them upright in a bowl of rice is a faux pas, as it resembles a ritual used at funerals, making this gesture uncomfortable for Japanese friends or colleagues.
In China, finishing a dish can lead to misunderstandings. While you might think you're showing appreciation by cleaning your plate, it often signals to the host that you're still hungry, prompting them to order more. Conversely, in India and most European countries, finishing your meal is a sign of satisfaction and enjoyment.
Eating with your hands is another practice that might surprise Western expatriates. In India and Morocco, for example, it's common to use your hand—specifically the right one, as using the left is considered impure based on Ayurvedic traditions, which state that eating with hands enhances the sensory experience of food.
Think table manners are simpler in Europe? says otherwise. She struggled with the array of cutlery at a French restaurant, unsure which fork, knife, or glass to use next. Additionally, at upscale European dining settings, remember not to alternate the seating strictly by gender, avoid cutting your salad, always use your knife with your right hand, and keep elbows off the table—a puzzle for many expatriates adjusting to these refined dining norms.
