Dining Etiquette
Hi there!
I’m an architectural designer based in Japan, and my team is currently working on a Japanese restaurant project at a resort in the Maldives. To create something authentic and respectful, we’re studying the food culture, traditional architecture, and social etiquette of the Maldives.
While I’ve done some research online, I haven’t quite found the specific information I’m looking for. I believe asking locals is the best way to truly understand the culture, so I’m hoping you can help me out with a few questions:
- What’s the most common way people eat—using utensils or with their hands?
- Do banana leaves often serve as plates?
- When dining, do people typically sit on the floor or use low seating/tables?
- Which country has a food culture and dining manners most similar to the Maldives?
- Can you tell me more about saboon? I read it’s a tea break custom, but most of the information I found was in Japanese, and I’d love more details in English.
Sorry for the long post, but I’d really appreciate any insights you can share.
Thanks in advance!