Indian dining etiquette: Tips to have an Indian meal like a local

The first thing to keep in mind is that there are bound to be vast cultural differences between you/ someone from another country to Indians. You need to keep in mind that Indians tend to often eat with their hands, which is the most obvious difference.

Indian food is quite different from western food, but this is not a bad thing! While it may appear slightly intimidating at first, it's just that it comes with plenty of variety which is something that isn't found in western cuisine. There's going to be a lot of dishes such as curry, gravy dishes, meat and vegetables. Most of the time, the assortment of curries is eaten with rice or bread, depending on individual preference. Although certain Indian dishes tend to be spicy, you can order them to be adjusted to your needs.

As already mentioned, the traditional way Indians eat is with their hands. This might be tricky at first for those who have not eaten with their hands frequently, but it's quite easy to pick up on. Join all your fingers together, and when you do this, use your tips to pick the food up. During your many brunches in Dubai, at places such as Tandoor Tina, you can perfect the art of eating with your hands. Indians believe that eating with your hands helps with being more mindful of the taste of the food. Better yet, you tend to pay more attention to the food that is placed in front of you! However, you do not have to eat all foods with your hands and can be eaten with a spoon.

This is an etiquette that goes without saying. You have to make it a point to wash both your hands before and after a meal, regardless of whether you'll be using cutlery or not. However, cleaning your hand with a napkin is usually considered unhygienic. Nevertheless, the use of napkins is becoming quite normal nowadays.

Most of the time, Indian food is served family-style. This is when there are multiple dishes served and everyone at the table tends to share these dishes. Usually, this is the case with rice, flatbread, vegetable curries, lentils, meats and more. Ordering mire dishes the better!

Try your best to finish everything on your plate, as this is a sign of respect. You do not have to taste every dish, but remember to take only the amount you think you can eat, although it may be tempting to go slightly overboard. Your host will keep offering food, and it is okay to deny it if you feel you won't be able to eat all of it.