Episode 33: Burp Loud. Eat Proud. A Cultural Tour of Food Noises.

Pull up a chair (and maybe a bowl of ramen 🍜). In this week's deliciously noisy episode, Hostion and Andrea take you on a world tour through the most misunderstood table manners on the planet.

What if that burp at dinner wasn't rude — it was actually a standing ovation for the chef? What if slurping your noodles wasn't embarrassing — it was the highest form of flavor appreciation? And what if the "proper" manners you were taught growing up were actually rooted in classism and control?

This episode digs into the fascinating (and surprisingly political) world of dining etiquette across cultures — from burping in China and Taiwan as a compliment, to Japan's symphony of ramen slurps, to chugging wine from animal horns in the Republic of Georgia. Andrea and Hostion get personal, get a little loud, and get into why learning someone's food culture is one of the most relational things you can do.

Episode Sources
14 Rude Manners That Are Actually Polite in Other Countries - Reader’s Digest
Dining etiquette: why eating loudly isn’t just ‘allowed’ in Asia. It’s essential. - Tatler Magazine
Here’s to etiquette and not chewing with your mouth open - The Independent
Specificity of Affective Responses in Misophonia Depends on Trigger Identification - National Library of Medicine
A psychoacoustic test for misophonia assessment - National Library of Medicine
6 Reasons to Slurp Your Noodles - Vietnam Coracle
Loud chewing and slurping? In these countries it’s not bad manners, it’s the sound of respect - Petit Chef
Eating food that fell on floor is good conduct, not an obligation - Islam Web

Quiz Sources

New Research Reveals Canada’s Most Popular Cuisine - Food Service Magazine
When Dining In Portugal, Avoid Asking For These Seasonings Or Else You May Be Seen As Rude - Tasting Table