I love all the ritualized behaviour, secret meanings and unexpected taboos - standing up when someone of higher status stands, elaborate rules for serving and eating, tapping the table to thank the server, never refuse a toast from a superior, stuff like that.

Whether it’s about meals or anything else, I’d love to hear about any uncommon politeness standard or similar social behaviour that goes on in your location, culture or restaurant!

  • SwingingTheLamp@midwest.socialEnglish
    0·
    5 months ago

    Here in the upper Midwest, it’s highly impolite to ask guests to leave, or for guests to directly announce that they’re leaving. The accepted way for hosts to hint is to say, “Would ya look at the time?”, or steer the conversation toward things the host has to do later, e.g. clean up, or get up the next morning. For guests, stereotypically you slap your knees and say, “Welp, I suppose…”

    Then you don’t just leave, there’s the goodbye, the doorway goodbye, the offer of leftovers to take home, and the driveway goodbye.