33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

11 Second, in conservative homes and even most restaurants, it is not acceptable to eat with a person of the opposite sex unless it is your child, sibling, or spouse. To many conservative Muslims this is important so observe the local restaurant's situation and follow their lead. This may mean that if you are with someone of the opposite sex who is not in your family (a co- worker for example), you shouldn't eat together. If you get by those first rules, try to arrive on time for a meal and if eating in a local's home remove your shoes at the door if others have done so. Greet the elders first, but men should not touch the hand of a woman (as this is considered inappropriate to many Afghans), although you should greet and acknowledge everyone. Let your host seat you and when sitting be sure to keep your feet flat on the floor or pointed behind you as pointing the soles of your feet at another can be offensive; you may be asked to sit on the floor around the dastarkhan . Once sitting, someone should come around with a wash basin so you can wash your hands prior to eating. Once the food begins to arrive the more special foods will likely be placed near you as their guest, something you may not notice if you don't know the local foods. Be sure to try these foods as these are the dishes your host is most proud of and placing them near you is to ensure you have easy access to them. Your host will likely insist you eat certain dishes as well, but try to take a small amount of food at first as you will later be offered more food and you should accept. Also, many times all dishes are brought out at the same time, but avoid taking desserts or fruits with your entree as these foods are reserved for after the main meal. Eat as the locals eat; in some settings this means eating directly with your right hand (and your right hand only), but in other settings you may be offered dining utensils (cutlery), in which case eat in the continental style (knife or spoon in the right hand, fork in the left). If a knife is not present, most locals will hold the spoon in their right hand and eat primarily from the spoon. No matter which utensil you hold in which hand, be sure to only bring food to your mouth with the utensil in your right hand. As you finish your food, and your second helping of food, leave a bit on your plate to show there was more than enough then place your fork and knife together in the 5:00 position. You may be offered tea prior to dessert and tea again prior to fruits, which usually ends a large meal. After everyone gets up from the table, you should again follow the lead of others and wash your hands once more, which again may come from a water basin passed around the table or you may be asked to use a faucet. Dining in a restaurant with loca l Afghans i s somewhat unusual as the locals rarely eat out and in most areas there are no restaurants so dining is always at home. More likely, if meeting a local out, you'll do so for tea at a teahouse. Either way, there will most likely be no service charge on your bill so be sure to add about 5% for a tip to the server. Celebrations & Events Afghanistan h as a huge number of celebrations that are tied to foods, both religious and secular events. Two of the most important are religious though. Eid al Fitr is a celebration