The Etiquette Rule You Should Follow When Eating Rice In Thailand

No matter where you find yourself in the world, it's likely that you will come across a variety of cuisines that will take your tastebuds on an incredible rollercoaster. This is especially a treat for those who like digging into exotic dishes and are fond of exploring different cultures. There's a caveat, though. You see, it is important to note that, when you find yourself exploring a different culture, there will likely be certain local etiquette that you will need to keep in mind and pay attention to (via Food & Nutrition). 

For example, in Japan, it's important to use chopsticks elegantly instead of coming across as aggressive. You should never use them like a "spear" to pick up your food and be extra careful about how you are using them at the dining table. By the way, it's OK to use a fork instead if it's a bit too tricky or difficult to use chopsticks. You simply need to ask for them.

According to Delishably, you should not always assume that you are going to end up with a pair of chopsticks every time you eat something in Thailand. Most locals only turn to chopsticks when they are feasting on noodles. Basically, it's not the norm. You are more likely to find locals eating with forks and spoons in restaurants. Yes, for real.

The basic rule to remember is that, when you are eating in Thailand, do not assume that chopsticks will be the norm. They usually won't be. A Redditor supported this logic and wrote, "I work at an extremely popular Thai place and it drives the staff nuts when people ask for chopsticks to be more 'authentic.' Unless you're eating noodles, fork and spoon are authentic Thai." Another commenter got even more specific and explained, "Depends on the dish. When I was in Thailand, I was taught that you actually eat with the spoon. Use fork to push rice and curry (or whatever) onto the spoon, then eat."