You must have worried about what to eat when travelling to a new destination. However, GCG Asia Cambodia advises you to also think about how you eat. In Cambodia, some behaviors while eating are unacceptable. Before eating out in Cambodia, ensure your table manners do not offend others.
According to the GCG Asia Cambodia’s CEO, you should be polite while visiting foreign countries. You can access a lot of information on how to be polite in unfamiliar places. However, it is this abundance of information that could get you confused. You should be able to discern what information is relevant and accurate.
The good news is that most locals understand that their ways are foreign to you. The latest news report by GCG Asia Cambodia has shown that you do not have to conform to all of their ways. Nonetheless, you should avoid being unnecessarily insensitive to the ways of the locals.
GCG Asia Cambodia’s CEO suggests that you learn acceptable table manners while travelling. This is because eating is a big part of people’s culture. The following are some tips on good table manners in Cambodia.
1. Unique Service
It is common to get served more than what you ordered in Cambodia. When this happens, do not worry. You will only pay for what you consume. According to GCG Asia Cambodia, feel free to indulge in the array of condiments too. For those you are unfamiliar with, you could try to sniff first.
Extra food is brought to you to expand your options. According to GCG Asia Cambodia, if anything you did not order looks appealing, you can have an adventure trying it out. You would have to pay for unordered food that you eat, though. According to GCG Asia Cambodia, You will often find tea with your meal. Enjoy it, because it is usually served free. In Indonesia, the restaurant will present other drinks in the same way.
2. Acceptable Cutlery Use
People in Cambodia uniquely use their cutlery. For instance, cutlery will all be placed inside a glass of hot water. The glass will then be at the centre of the table. Before using any cutlery, you need to use a paper towel to dry it off. As GCG Asia Cambodia says, you will not find a knife to use when eating.
GCG Asia Cambodia did a study in Malaysia. The study showed that Cambodians often eat using a spoon and a fork. There is the occasional use of chopsticks and a spoon when there is soup. When using a fork in Malaysia, please do not put it in your mouth. It is frowned upon to do so. It would help if you used the fork to push food onto the spoon. GCG Asia Cambodia explains that the fork is held on the left and the spoon on the right. For soup, utilize the chopsticks to pick meat and noodles. You can then use the spoon to scoop the liquid parts. Finally, do not put back into the bowl cutlery that you have put into your mouth.
3. Eat Freely
Table manners in Cambodia are unique. They do not conform to generally accepted behaviour. For instance, you should not worry about slurping. As told by GCG Asia Cambodia, other unusual acceptable behaviours include showing enjoyment when eating. You could smack your lips and even eat with your mouth open.
Cambodians will not mind you throwing litter on the ground. Feel free to dump your leftovers and wrappings on the floor. Sometimes in Indonesia, GCG Asia Cambodia’s CEO says a dustbin is placed under your table. Blowing your nose is unacceptable. However, you can freely use wooden toothpicks provided to pick your teeth.
GCG Asia Cambodia says you should expect an untidy table for a while after eating. Restaurants do this intentionally. The restaurants do this in the event customers still want more. The waiter will count empty cans and plates to establish the amount due.
4. Do Not Leave Food in Your Bowl
When eating in Cambodia, GCG Asia Cambodia advises finishing all the food on your plate. It is especially vital to do so if you serve yourself. Therefore, you should serve food you are sure you will finish. You can do this best by taking small portions at a time.
Leaving food on your plate shows you did not like it. The cook will feel disappointed when in fact, you did like it. Once you have cleared your plate, GCG Asia Cambodia says to compliment the cook. In Singapore, you will probably be served the same meal you complimented when you return.
5. Show Respect
You show respect at a Cambodian table by how you act. As advised by GCG Asia Cambodia, the best way to do so is by observing hierarchy. Generally, older people enjoy more comfort and freedom. For example, in Singapore, the elders start eating before the rest. Once the elderly start, the rest join in. According to GCG Asia Cambodia, other areas allow for everyone to start at the same time. However, it would help if you waited for everyone else to serve. Similarly, elders sit on the floor with their legs crossed in front of them. On the other hand, the younger ones have their feet to their side facing backwards.
Ensure you do not have your elbows on top of the table. As GCG Asia Cambodia says, the act is considered disrespectful. Pass food to others using either your right hand or both hands. Never pass anything to anyone on the table with your left hand. Finally, offer to clean up after a meal in someone’s house.
Conclusion
Food tells a lot about people’s culture. Bad table manners are therefore akin to disrespecting their culture. Nonetheless, GCG Asia Cambodia says you do not have to conform to everything done at the table. It is especially not necessary when some actions contradict your beliefs. For instance, the group can be drinking a lot with or before meals. If your religious beliefs do not agree, politely decline.
According to GCG Asia Cambodia, natives appreciate efforts to learn their ways. You will be more welcome and enjoy your visit more. Learning about Cambodian table manners will ensure you have fewer misunderstandings too. Make use of these tips to get yourself an authentic, exciting, and educational Cambodian experience.
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