Discovering a Culture Through Food

There is no better way to experience a culture when traveling than to sample the local cuisine! From the rituals surrounding the meal, the presentation, the smells, the conversation, and of course the tastes…every culture, country, or region has their own spin on this most common denominator of humanity.

If you really want to dig in and learn about a destination, then you absolutely have to make time to seek out and experience local authentic dining. This may often mean getting off the beaten path a ways, but that’s just an added bonus considering just how commercialized those tourist traps really are.

Now authentic dining doesn’t necessarily have to mean “dive bar” style food, scattered around the world are those delightful family-owned businesses with their own version of local tradition, in some cases just one town or street over! Every well-run diner in the world has its own pulse, almost a signature of sorts, a unique blend of sounds, smells, and taste that really grab a person by the shoulders and yank them taste-buds first into a culture.

Etiquette

First and foremost, you must know the etiquette of your location. For example, in the United States a tip isn’t just a small “thank you” but rather an integral part of your server’s paycheck! Similarly, in many other countries a large tip is seen as borderline rude. While you won’t be expected to be intimately familiar with all traditions as an outsider, a solid attempt at proper manners will go a long way in improving your experience. Our tour staff will also be happy to answer any questions you have about etiquette or tipping in your travel destinations.

Of course etiquette doesn’t just mean “know what the wait-staff expects,” in many cultures both the timing of the meal, as well as duration of it is equally important! After all, you can’t get to know the people in a destination if you are the only one dining, right?

Bon Appétit

So you are researching the etiquette before heading to a new location, but are still not sure what to look forward to gastronomically speaking. In years past a traveler would be relying on bulky guide books and coin flips to decide where to eat. But that is all in the past, thanks to the boom in world tourism and the wonders of the internet you can quickly and easily find a few places that fit your palate’s needs!

Your best bet is to keep it simple: look for establishments and menu recommendations that meet your needs. There are many location specific blogs that review establishments and they have done a lot of the leg work for you. Just be sure to always do your due diligence, carefully read restaurant reviews and also get the lay of the land before venturing into a neighborhood that you are unfamiliar with. Being aware of your surroundings is always important when traveling.

While it is somewhat cliché to say, the truth is that the chef’s choice entrée or manager’s specials exist for a reason, and often represent the best foot forward for an establishment. You don’t always have to stick to this tip, but if there isn’t a specific dish you are targeting, the dish that a restaurant it known for is a great place to start.

If you have special dietary needs, keep in mind that realistically not every restaurant is going to be able to accommodate or even understand exactly what you need when making a request. A best practice is to always have a translation card for the language of the country you are in that outlines exactly what your needs are. Ask to speak with a manager before taking a seat to ensure that they will be able to create a dining experience that is appropriate for you!

Enjoy Yourself

While the modern trend is to put everything onto social media in real time, you will find that the practice isn’t always welcome around the world and is decidedly the purview of tourists. It is quite difficult to soak in the atmosphere when glued to your personal-entertainment device. So sit back and soak in the atmosphere, snap a few photos of your interesting dish (to edit and post later), jot down a few notes in your travel journal, and make a toast with your travel companions to great food and great company.

Looking for exotic flavors to tempt your palate? Visit Ritztours.com or call 888.345.7489 to learn about the distant lands you can dine in.