It is equally important to discuss our very own culture and etiquette to be observed while dining at Indian Restaurants or eating Indian food. Some tips are given below, could be useful for those who visit India for the first time too!
* Indian food is generally meant to be eaten with the hand. Many Indian foods such as naan and roti (both being types of flat bread) have to be eaten with the fingers. The proper method would be to break the bread and soak it in vegetable curry before eating it.
* Indians generally do not use too much of cutlery and eat with their fingers. However, if you are not comfortable eating with your fingers, you can always pick up a fork and a spoon. If you do decide to use your hands, remember to use only your right hand for eating. The left hand should be used to serve food or to pass a dish to someone else. Left-handed people can reverse this arrangement. The basic idea is that one hand goes to your mouth while the other manages the food.
* Many Indian restaurants do not serve alcohol. The restaurants that do serve alcohol, do not usually offer too much of a range. Indians do not have a wine and dine culture. So it would be best to go dry and try something like a mango lassi as a refreshing alternative.
* As far as restaurant etiquette goes, paying the bill is always an issue. In India, when a person invites you to a restaurant, it generally means that (s)he is the host and that (s)he is going to pay the bill. Even when Indian companions want you to pay the bill, they will say no at least once when you offer to do so,. Be doubly sure about whether or not your Indian host wants to share the bill.
* One huge faux pas you could make when dining at an Indian restaurant would be to offer someone else your jutha. "Jutha" is a Hindi word referring to "food which has come in contact with your mouth, saliva, or plate." It is considered rude and unhygienic to offer someone your "jutha"
* Indian food is generally meant to be eaten with the hand. Many Indian foods such as naan and roti (both being types of flat bread) have to be eaten with the fingers. The proper method would be to break the bread and soak it in vegetable curry before eating it.
* Indians generally do not use too much of cutlery and eat with their fingers. However, if you are not comfortable eating with your fingers, you can always pick up a fork and a spoon. If you do decide to use your hands, remember to use only your right hand for eating. The left hand should be used to serve food or to pass a dish to someone else. Left-handed people can reverse this arrangement. The basic idea is that one hand goes to your mouth while the other manages the food.
* Many Indian restaurants do not serve alcohol. The restaurants that do serve alcohol, do not usually offer too much of a range. Indians do not have a wine and dine culture. So it would be best to go dry and try something like a mango lassi as a refreshing alternative.
* As far as restaurant etiquette goes, paying the bill is always an issue. In India, when a person invites you to a restaurant, it generally means that (s)he is the host and that (s)he is going to pay the bill. Even when Indian companions want you to pay the bill, they will say no at least once when you offer to do so,. Be doubly sure about whether or not your Indian host wants to share the bill.
* One huge faux pas you could make when dining at an Indian restaurant would be to offer someone else your jutha. "Jutha" is a Hindi word referring to "food which has come in contact with your mouth, saliva, or plate." It is considered rude and unhygienic to offer someone your "jutha"