Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan Etiquette

Dining etiquette in these countries is similar to the rules of dining etiquette in Turkey and Islamic South Asia. The dining etiquette information below presents variations in these countries from the general dining etiquette of Turkey and Islamic South Asia.

Dining etiquette for drinking. Tea, or cha, is very popular. Always accept the tea.

Dining etiquette for toasts. Make a toast when toasts are made. During the toast maintain strong eye contact.

Dining etiquette for interpreting meaning in foods. Many foods have symbolic meaning, especially special foods that are served to honor someone: in Kazakhstan, a sheep or goat is typically slaughtered for a feast in honor of a special guest, and the head of the sheep is the most honored part. In addition, meat from various parts of the head indicate different aspects of the person you serve it to; for example, the tongue means the person is talkative, the ears, that he listens well.

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asian, pacific rim dining etiquette