When diners step into a restaurant, they look forward to more than just a meal, they want an experience that includes a warm welcome, exceptional service, and a feeling of being valued. Every guest interaction allows staff to display high-level hospitality down to the small details.

If guests are however new in town or city, navigating cultural dining customs in a new country or a restaurant serving exotic cuisine can be quite intimidating. This is where exceptional staff who are culturally aware can elevate guest hospitality even further and make guests' time at the restaurant more memorable. Restaurants can shower them with gentle guidance. or share tips on cuisine or country-specific dining rules, helping diners feel confident and relaxed without worrying about making faux pas.

Wowing guests with restaurant etiquette and navigating cultural norms

From conducting staff training to using the right restaurant technology, here are some ways restaurants can help guests understand or embrace dining etiquette when visiting a new country, city, or restaurant.

1. Hone the communication skills of front-of-staff

Dining out in a restaurant is a direct way for foreign guests to get a taste of the country's hospitality. Greeting guests politely shows how much the staff values giving a good first impression to guests while also providing them a glimpse of the level of customer service they can expect.

Tailor greetings: Restaurants can prep their greeting in advance. Staff should use appropriate words that are considerate of the guests' diverse backgrounds. This will help build trust with the customer and make them feel welcome and comfortable during their time at the restaurant.

Adapt to situations: Staff should be able to handle different situations using their communication skills. If the front-of-staff is unable to communicate in the language of the guest, hospitality owners should have at least one person available who can be called upon to assist when needed or have printed materials handy to help staff communicate effectively with the guest.

2. Observe cleanliness and hygiene, focus on food safety

Words are not enough to give guests a good impression of the restaurant. While it is paramount for staff to be attentive to guests, the restaurant should also be clean. From the kitchen to the dining area down to the tableware, everything should be spotless; additionally, food should be prepared following food safety regulations. Cleanliness and hygiene should be a top priority for every hospitality operator as this directly impacts the overall experience.

To find out more about guest sentiment, restaurant operators can conduct guest surveys. TableCheck Customer Survey allows restaurants to customize their list of questions in the guests' language.

Learn more: Ensuring food safety in your restaurant: The key to success

3. Conduct etiquette training with the restaurant staff

Restaurant staff should receive adequate table etiquette training to be able to assist guests who encounter a new dining practice. Restaurant operators need to anticipate what guests will have trouble with from the moment they arrive at the restaurant.

For instance, guests can mistake compressed towels or magic towels for desserts and proceed to eat them much to their embarrassment. These towels expand in water and are intended for hand-wiping before and after a meal. Wait staff should guide guests by suggesting, "Please dip this towel in the cup of water provided to clean your hands," or have instructions printed on the table to educate guests.

4. Use role-playing to build better restaurant service

Role-playing where staff can help restaurant servers and front-of-staff get first-hand experience when dealing with foreign guests or guests who are not familiar with certain dining etiquette. This gives staff ample time to correct and improve their service before guests arrive at the restaurant.

Learn more: How to train staff to deliver an exceptional guest experience

5. Multilingual digital menus and integrating etiquette guidance

Restaurants can become more inclusive by adding multilingual digital menus for guests. Etiquette guidance can also be integrated into the menu, helping guests navigate unfamiliar cultural norms. For instance, a French restaurant based in Singapore, can include small illustrations next to the dish name or design a dedicated page explaining the use of different spoons for various types of coffee: a petite one for espresso and a larger one for café au lait.

6. Using technology to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere right from the start

A good table management system (TMS) can enhance the overall dining experience, from booking to dining. With TableCheck, guests can reserve restaurants in 18 languages allowing a seamless booking experience right from the start. Restaurant operators can also create rich customer profiles within the TableCheck platform, allowing them to personalize service. Additionally, they can add customer preferences which serve as a reference that will help front-of-house staff create a brand of hospitality, that makes their restaurant stand out and be memorable for guests.

Guests' corner: Global dining etiquette tips and table manners around the world

Restaurants need to master the art of dining etiquette to provide impeccable service while also providing cultural guidance to guests whenever it is necessary. However, guests also need to follow unique dining rules to show respect for the cultures and countries they engage with and visit.

For instance, in Japan, lifting one's rice bowl to the mouth is customary to prevent spills while in Hong Kong, leaving some food on the plate signals finishing a meal is often a polite signal that one has finished eating, rather than an indication of disliking the food. Good and bad manners, plus rude and unclean practices are some things diners need to be aware of when visiting a new country. Let's take a look at some of these cultural dining customs:

Korea: Where elders get the best seat at the table

In Korea, respect for elders dominates dining protocols with the eldest at the table eating first. How alcohol is served also demands a special mention, as guests must wait for a fellow diner to refresh their glass. On the hygiene front, personal chopsticks must never be used for passing food directly, and diners must always use both hands to pass dishes.

China: Respectful bites and the act of communal food sharing

It's considered extremely rude to pick through a shared dish for the nicest, juiciest piece. Instead, diners should take the portion closest to them. Chopsticks are used for solid food and dim sum while congees and noodles are eaten with a spoon. In a Chinese banquet, cold dishes are served first followed by hot dishes. The Chinese are a very family-oriented society so food is served communally, with each person holding a rice bowl but sharing communal dishes. Leaving food on the plate or a small amount of food is not considered rude; it is a sign that the diner is satisfied and full.

Thailand: Spoons up, elbows down while eating flavorful curries

In Thailand, dining etiquette has its flavor. Chopsticks are reserved strictly for noodle dishes. Putting a rice-laden fork into the mouth is a no-no. Using a fork and spoon with the fork cleverly nudging food onto the spoon is customary. Interestingly, unlike many other places, resting elbows on the table is perfectly acceptable. So, guests can feel free to lean in and enjoy tureens of Massaman Curry which go best with a glass of classic red.

Indonesia: Respect for every morsel and eating everything on the plate

In Indonesia, spoons and forks are provided to guests unless it's a Chinese-style restaurant. Dining etiquette emphasizes the importance of using the right hand, not only for eating but also for passing food to others. Additionally, it's considered poor manners to leave food uneaten. Diners are encouraged to finish everything on their plate, reflecting appreciation for the meal and avoiding wastage in a culture that values every morsel. In small restaurants, guests can get up and pay their bills straight at the register while bigger restaurants including fine-dining venues, have waiters to hand over the check to guests

Saudi Arabia: Right-hand rules and rituals before taking a first bite

The most prominent Saudi custom is expecting diners to eat with their right hand after thoroughly washing it. Removing footwear when sitting down is customary.  Guests are also advised to pause and not rush to start their meal upon being served, no matter how tempting the aroma of the Kabsa may be. The meal typically begins only after the host says "Sahtain" (Good health) or "Bismillah" (In the name of God), signaling everyone to start eating.

Japan: Holding that bowl up and enjoying omakase experiences

In Japan, starting and ending the meal involves observing important table etiquette as a sign of respect for their cultural tradition. Every grain of rice is to be eaten, symbolizing gratitude and abhorrence for wastage. Small plates or small bowls are typically held at chest level while eating unless their size makes this impractical. Before the meal begins, diners are provided with an Oshibori, a damp towel for cleaning their hands. Using it for any other purpose, such as wiping the face, is seen as improper and disrespectful.

Diners who prefer high-end sushi omakase experiences, where the chef serves dishes and is in full control of the menu, should understand some do's and don'ts before dining out. Not wearing perfume that will mess with the sushi flavors and also letting the chef-master decide the menu are just some of the things guests need to keep in mind when experiencing omakase dining for the first time.

Learn more: The TableCheck Guide for unforgettable omakase experiences

Vietnam: Bowl protocol plus no fish-flipping when dining

In Vietnam, dining is marked by a series of thoughtful gestures like using both hands to pass dishes around the table. Another thing to keep in mind is that diners are expected to transfer food from the serving dish to one's own bowl before eating. Eating directly from the serving bowl will look uncivilized. There are some superstitions too with a deep meaning. For instance, flipping the fish over on the dish symbolizes a boat capsizing, an ominous sign for fishermen. A final etiquette to remember is placing chopsticks on top of the rice bowl to signal that one has finished eating.

Taiwan: Celebratory toasts, the Taiwanese way plus the chopstick rule

In Taiwan, toasting is an essential part of any social celebration, often involving wine or liquor. The host elegantly raises their glass with both hands and carefully supports the bottom with one hand. As the guests lift their glasses with their right hands, they accompany the gesture with a hearty sweiyi or ganbei,.

Meals are served family-style where guests share food communally. Sticking the chopstick on the rice is a big no-no just like in other Asian countries and eating a small bowl or plate close to the mouth is acceptable.

Philippines: Rice meals all the way plus the tradition of gathering over food

Food is a social gathering in the Philippines and it's where Filipinos show their hospitality and generosity as a people. Meals are served family-style and everyone shares the communal dishes alongside their staple food, rice! When it comes to wielding cutlery, the spoon moonlights as a knife alongside the fork. The locals also relish Chinese food. However, it has to be said that Filipinos have mastered the art of dining at Chinese restaurants because when visiting a Chinese restaurant the chopsticks come out to play. 

Learn more: Building community through food: The power of family-style dining in restaurants

Hong Kong: Rinsing chopsticks and leaving feeling satisfied

The dining etiquette in Hong Kong is rich with traditions. While some prefer to dine in quiet intimation, it's still a family-orientated culture, where there is a focus on food-sharing. At the end of each course, guests leaving a small amount of food on their plates show how they enjoyed their meal. A lot of thought goes into the seating arrangement with the proximity to the guest of honor showing the other guests their standing in the room. A quirky dinner table tradition is observed In cha chaan tengs or Hong Kong-style cafes. Some guests also prefer to rinse their chopsticks in boiling tea to clean them.

United States: Stars, stripes, and silverware

In the United States, the knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left for holding food. After cutting a few bite-sized pieces, the knife is rested on the edge of the plate with the blade facing in. Diners then switch the fork to the right hand for eating unless they are left-handed. Keeping the left hand, arm, or elbow off the table during meals is a sign of good manners.

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