Dining Etiquette

A

100

In Thailand, most dishes are placed in the middle of the table. What should you do with them?

Share them with everyone at the table.

200

How do you say “Can I see the menu?” in Thai?

ขอดูเมนูหน่อยได้ไหมครับ/คะ

300

According to a traditional Thai belief, chewing ice makes you poor.

True or False

Elders often warn that if you like to crunch on leftover ice cubes from your glass, you will run out of money or constantly face financial trouble. (The real reason? It is bad for your teeth and the loud crunching sound is considered impolite at the table).

B

100

What two utensils are most commonly used to eat a typical Thai meal with rice?

A spoon and fork.

200

How do you say “Not spicy” in Thai?

ไม่เอาเผ็ดครับ/ค่ะ

300

True or False:

Singing in the kitchen gets you an old spouse

• This is a classic warning for young singles. If you sing while cooking or doing the dishes, people will tease that you will end up marrying someone much, much older than you. (This was a clever trick to keep people focused so they wouldn't burn the food or cut their fingers).

C

100

Which utensil usually brings the food to your mouth: the fork or the spoon?

The spoon.

200

How do you ask “Where is the bathroom?” in Thai?

ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหนครับ/คะ

300

True or False:

Eating the top of a pineapple makes you dumb

Some local folklore suggests that eating the very top slice of a pineapple (near the crown) will make you forgetful or struggle in school. (The practical reason is that the top part of the pineapple is usually the toughest, least sweet, and hardest to chew).

D

100

When eating with older people, who traditionally gets priority or begins first?

The elders / senior people.

200

You want the check/bill. What do you say in Thai?

คิดเงินด้วยครับ/ค่ะ

300

TRUE or FALSE: According to a Thai belief, if you eat the last piece of food on the plate, your future boyfriend or girlfriend will be ugly.  

❌ FALSE! 

Your future boyfriend or girlfriend will be good-looking. 😄 It’s a playful traditional saying, not something people literally expect to happen. Someone might encourage you to take the last piece by joking, “Eat the last piece so you’ll get a beautiful/handsome partner.”