Thai Table Manners - How to eat with Thai Friends

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Once you make your first Thai friends, they will invite you to eat some food.

Food is really important in Thailand. As you begin to form friendships with the locals, you'll find that they take great pleasure in inviting you to join them for a meal

Eating is a social occasion in Thailand and many other South East Asian countries. Thai people view eating as a social occasion, and this belief is shared across many South East Asian countries. Mealtimes are opportunities for friends and family to come together, share stories, and strengthen bonds.

Eating alone is not preferred .Thai people value the company of others during meals, people usually have lunch and dinner together.

In the west we are used to each person ordering their own dish and never sharing it. And in some cases we might be offended if someone at the table wants to try some of our food.

Things are opposite in Thailand.

It is customary to order a variety of dishes and share them with everyone at the table. When dining with Thai friends or locals, you'll quickly notice that all the food ordered is meant to be shared among everyone present. So you cannot be selfish when eating with Thai people. Be open to trying new dishes, and don't hesitate to ask for recommendations from your Thai friends or hosts.