Manners in every country are different;
what is polite in China or Thailand may
not be polite in the USA, Australia, UK,
Germany, France, Canada, Nigeria or New Zealand. There are however basic rules you can follow and still fit in anywhere in the world.

Below are the basic rules you must
follow while you dine:

1. Put the napkin on your lap.
2. Wait until everyone has been served
to begin eating.
3. Everyone begins eating at the same
time.
4. Do not make sounds when eating.
5. Sit up straight at the table and bring
the food to your mouth: do not lean
down to your plate.
6. Do not lean on your arm or elbow
while eating (as well as before or after
eating): you may rest only your hand
and wrist on the edge of the table.
7. Try to be friendly with others. If you
are a man, you should pay attention to
ladies sitting closest to you. Pass the
dishes to them, serve them, etc. Equal
attention must be paid to children.
8. Hold the knife in your right hand, and
fork – in your left hand.
9. Cut large pieces of meat, potatoes and
vegetables into bite-size pieces; eat the
pieces one at a time.
10. Each time you cut a small piece with
the knife, put it into your mouth with a
fork.
11. When eating spaghetti, hold your
fork in the right hand. Wind the noodles
up on your fork: the spaghetti on your
fork should be eaten in one bite. It is
very impolite to eat half your noodles
and allow the other half to fall back on
your plate.
12. While eating, remember not to talk
with your mouth full of food.
13. When the hostess/host offers you
food, give her/him a direct answer; if
you refuse the first time, she might not
ask you again.
14. At the table, ask others to pass you
dishes that are out of your reach. Good
_expression to know is: “Please pass me
the___________.”
15. When you have finished your meal,
place your knife and fork side by side on
the plate.
16. Never use toothpick at the table: it is
impolite.
17. Before you leave the table, refold
your napkin and put it beside your plate.
18. When you are unsure what to do,
observe the way your western friends
eat in order to avoid mistakes.