Title: 12 Lessons in Manners From Around the World
Headings: 12 Lessons in Manners From Around the World
12 Lessons in Manners From Around the World
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Wise Bread Picks
1. The Belching Compliment — Eastern Culture
2. Spit to Say Hello — Sub-Saharan Africa
3. Don't Shake With the Left Hand — The Middle East
4. To Tip Is to Offend — Japan
5. Never Show the Sole of Your Shoe — Arab Culture
6. Slurp Your Food to Express Delight — China
7. You Invite, You Pay — Ghana
8. Avoid the Salt Shaker — Egypt
9. Never Fill Your Own Glass — Japan
10. Be Late, Be Polite — Venezuela
11. Avoid Bringing Wine to a Dinner Party — France
12. The "OK" Sign Is Not Okay — Germany, South America, Turkey

Content: The right hand is used for eating, and the left hand is reserved for wiping after using the bathroom. Knowing this, by offering your left hand, you are offering the hand that, even though clean, is associated with an act that is not. If you ever find yourself in the Middle East, and you're left-handed, make sure you lead with the right hand... every time. And of course, don't eat with your left hand, for the same reasons. 4. To Tip Is to Offend — Japan
In many countries, tipping is not the common practice that it is in America. In my home country of England, for example, you tip when the service is exceptional, or you genuinely like the person who is providing that service. This is because the wages of staff are not based on tips, and so, they do not depend on them. However, in Japan, tipping is actually considered to be insulting. By tipping, you are basically saying, "Hey, here's some extra money.