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What's the most interesting traditional or formal politeness behaviour or table manners in your culture? Or for any service personnel, in your restaurant? (kbin.social)

submitted 7 months ago by Hegar@kbin.social to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

77 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I love all the ritualized behaviour, secret meanings and unexpected taboos - standing up when someone of higher status stands, elaborate rules for serving and eating, tapping the table to thank the server, never refuse a toast from a superior, stuff like that.

Whether it's about meals or anything else, I'd love to hear about any uncommon politeness standard or similar social behaviour that goes on in your location, culture or restaurant!

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[–] SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social 51 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Here in the upper Midwest, it's highly impolite to ask guests to leave, or for guests to directly announce that they're leaving. The accepted way for hosts to hint is to say, "Would ya look at the time?", or steer the conversation toward things the host has to do later, e.g. clean up, or get up the next morning. For guests, stereotypically you slap your knees and say, "Welp, I suppose..."

Then you don't just leave, there's the goodbye, the doorway goodbye, the offer of leftovers to take home, and the driveway goodbye.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 28 points 7 months ago (2 children)

The knee slap sounds suspiciously german.
"Ach schau mal auf die Zeit! Schon 2 Uhr!"

[–] SecretPancake@feddit.de 6 points 7 months ago

So!

[–] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 9 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Relevant: https://youtu.be/mdLPJfbLNOM

[–] SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social 5 points 7 months ago

That's hilarious! Exaggerated for comedic effect, but not by much.

[–] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 1 points 7 months ago

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