How to Follow Brazilian Table Manners
In Brazil, meals are considered a time to spend with friends and family. More time is spent at the table during a Brazilian meal than an American one. Lunch is the big meal of the day and dinners are usually smaller and served much later than is custom in the U.S. From an early age, children are taught to follow proper table manners. It's a good idea to learn some of these manners before taking a trip to Brazil. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Avoid arriving on time for a dinner party in a private home. While being late is considered rude in the U.S., you are expected to be at least a little late in Brazil. Arriving 30 minutes after your invitation time will usually suffice.
-
2
Say "bon apetite" to the rest of the diners at your table before beginning to eat.
-
-
3
Use your left hand for your fork and your right hand for your knife. This is called "Continental style" and it is the most common way to use your utensils in Western countries, excluding the U.S.
-
4
Use your knife and fork to eat everything. Brazilian etiquette rarely permits touching food with your hands. Even fruit and pizza are eaten with a fork and knife.
-
5
Keep your elbows off the table, particularly in formal settings.
-
6
Avoid talking when there is food in your mouth.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Take the hostess a small gift like fresh flowers when you are invited to a home.
Follow up a nice dinner at someone's home with a floral gift if you failed to bring a hostess gift.
To eat a piece of fruit like a peach or an apple with a fork and knife, stab the fork deep into the core of the fruit. Then use the knife to cut out pieces of the fruit carefully. When you are finished, begin eating the fruit.
When dining out, ask the waiter for the bill. To ask in Portuguese, use "A conta, por favor." Most waiters wait to bring the check until they are asked.
When unsure about what table manners to follow, it's always a good idea to observe the host. You can't count on following the example of other foreign guests, as they may be unsure as well.
Avoid giving purple flowers as a hostess gift. Purple is a traditional Brazilian mourning color.
Be careful not to under-dress for a dinner party or social event. When in doubt, err on the side of over-dressing, even in casual situations.
Don't use a toothpick in public unless you cover your mouth with your free hand.
More Like This
Comments
-
we don't use forks and knifes to eat fruits...we use the hands.
