Etiquette of Indian Dining - Other Rules

Other Rules

• Irrespective of whether one takes food with cutlery or with right hand, one is expected to wash hands before and after partaking food.
• It is a custom to share food with anyone who wants it.
• It is rude for your host to not offer you food multiple times.
• In formal settings, it is expected that everyone will wait for the host or the eldest person - the elder taking priority over the host - to begin eating before everyone else starts. In some settings, everyone may begin eating (elders, guests, men) while the woman remains in the kitchen cooking, making additional chapatis. It is not considered rude to start eating.
• Similarly it is expected that one should not leave the table before the host or the eldest person have finished their food. It is also considered impolite to leave the table without asking for the host's or the elder's permission.
• Everyone must wash their hands before sitting at the table as many Indian foods are eaten by hand. One must wash one's hands after eating the food. Cleaning with cloth or paper tissue is considered unhygienic.
• Always sit up with your back straight while eating. If you are sitting on the floor, you must have your legs crossed.
• If you are using dining furniture, your elbows should not lean on the table.
• Your hands should always reach to your mouth. Never lift your plate up.
• Take a small amount of food each time, and ensure that food does not reach your palms.
• It is not necessary to taste each and every dish prepared, but you must finish everything on the plate as it is considered a respect for served food, and food is sacred. For this reason, take only as much food on the plate as you can finish.
• Everyone must start eating at the same time and have exactly the same portions. As a host it is important to offer your guests another serving, but as a guest it is impolite to do so.
• In casual settings, eg at home, burping, slurping is acceptable.
• Do not tap or in any other way make a sound on your plate.
• It is not customary to share one's naan bread.
• Always eat food as it is served. It is not a good idea to ask for salt or pepper. It is however now acceptable to ask for salt or pepper with a mention that you like more of it.
• Playing with food or in any way distorting the food is unacceptable. Eating at a medium pace is important as eating too slowly may imply that you dislike the food, whereas eating too quickly is rude.
• In some parts of India, if a diner finishes earlier than the rest, they may need to wait until everyone has finished to wash their hands. It may be considered rude to leave the table. Sometimes, it may be acceptable for the diner who has finished to wash their hands, however, they are expected to return to the dining area immediately after. In most parts it is acceptable to leave after the elders have finished.