Question
Updated on
7 Mar 2017
- Japanese
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English (US)
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Korean
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Dutch
Question about Finland
What are some proper manners that I need to know in a restaurant so that I don't embarrass myself?
What are some proper manners that I need to know in a restaurant so that I don't embarrass myself?
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- Country or region Finland
Smile, use folk and knife, eat quietly, don't forget to pay the bills and you'll be fine.
- Country or region Finland
chewing with mouth open and talking with mouth full are bad manners
- Country or region Finland
One thing is that you should not use loud voice or big gestures to call for waiting staff from across the room. You should try to make eye contact, lift your hand a little or maybe say something like "excuse me", when they pass by, if you need something. Waiters will also come to ask how you are liking the food and if you want something more a couple of times, while eating.
It can be sometimes hard to properly flag a waiter especially if the restaurant is busy but if you do it in too showy manner, you might be seen as somebody who thinks they're "better" than the staff and/or more important than the rest of the customers.

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- Country or region Japan
- Country or region Netherlands
@Necroblas May I ask you something? Why is it that waiters come and ask you whether or not you like the food in Western countries? In Asian countries (specifically in Korea) they barely or never do that so I was curious..
- Country or region Japan
@nochu oh, they are bad manners also in Japan. Thank you for your advice:-)
- Country or region Japan
@Necroblas Thank you for your advice. I'm relatively patient person but I try to be more when I'm waiting staff:-)
- Country or region Japan
@Mido313 yeah, we use chopsticks but also folk and knife:-)
- Country or region Finland
@nyankooooo some TV program said it is a good to make noises when you are eating noodles in Japan. To show the chef that you really enjoy the food. Isn't that true?
- Country or region Japan
Well, it doesn't matter if you do or don't make noises when you eat noodles.
I'm a Japanese but I don't like making noises in personal.
But if someone make noises when they eat soba or ramen(only), I don't think he/she is in a bad manner.
I'm a Japanese but I don't like making noises in personal.
But if someone make noises when they eat soba or ramen(only), I don't think he/she is in a bad manner.
- Country or region Finland
Finland is quite relaxed when it comes to manners - I've heard Japanese are sometimes a bit surprised by how casual waiters are here. Mostly, I think you can get by with basic good manners - say thank you etc. If you were very happy with the sevice, you can leave a tip, but you don't have to.
- Country or region Finland
@Ghim I guess it's mostly just to seem courteous / friendly. I hear it might also be possible to get some sort of compensation if you're not happy with the food or if there's something wrong with it but I've never tried it myself.
- Country or region Japan
@ered Thank you for your advice! I'm not familiar with the behavior of tips. I'll try to it if I was very satisfied with their service:-)

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