Food Pho Pas: 23 Simple Things You're Doing Wrong While Eating Asian Food

Asian nations have rich histories of eating etiquette that most Americans are oblivious to, as we're all too busy reading World Books about how General Tso made that delicious chicken he totally invented.

To help guide you through the confusing world of Eastern cuisines, we asked all sorts of experts to share the most commonly seen Asian restaurant faux pas. And for those so clueless they also don't know how to act in steakhouses or pizza places, we've got more unforgivable food no-nos right here.

GENERAL RULES
Sticking your chopsticks straight up in a bowl of noodles or rice is taboo in most every country in Asia -- it symbolizes either death/stabbing in China, and piercing one's soul in Japan (via Nguyen Tran, Starry Kitchen).

Not all Asians are Japanese -- you don't need to bow. (via Maharlika)

FILIPINO
Don't ask for chopsticks -- not all Asians eat with them. (via Maharlika)

THAI
Chopsticks are for noodle dishes only. Eating a Thai curry with chopsticks is just too logistically complicated. (via Austin Bush)

CHINESE
Never tap your bowl with chopsticks -- it's how the homeless ask for food.

When eating dim sum, if someone pours you tea, always tap three fingers on the table as a sign of gratitude.

Don't pour soy sauce on fried rice, because it's already been seasoned.

It's considered rude to take food from a shared dish and put it immediately in your mouth.

When eating a whole fish, don't flip it over, as that symbolizes the capsizing of a boat. (via Jimmy Lee, Mikado)

When eating family-style and without a serving utensil, pick up food with the opposite end of your chopsticks; otherwise, you're essentially double-dipping. (via Nguyen Tran, Starry Kitchen)

You might be eating Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese food completely wrong without even knowing it, so you might wanna check out the full story on Thrillist.com.