Kenya Dining Etiquette

Dining etiquette for eating with Muslims. Muslims do not eat pork nor do they drink alcohol.

Meal Times. Breakfast is served from 6 to 9, lunch from 12 to 2, and dinner from 8 to 10.

Dining etiquette for grouping guests. Men, women, and children dine separately. Men are offered the best food first, women next, then children.

Etiquette for entering a Kenyan home. Etiquette requires that you take off your shoes before entering Kenyan homes.

Dining etiquette for seating guests. The most honored position is next to the host. When seated, your toes and feet should not be pointing toward the food or other diners.

Dining etiquette for drinking tea. Accept offered cups of tea and/or coffee, even if you only put it to your lips or just take a few sips. Your cup will always be refilled if it is less than half full.

Dining etiquette for eating and drinking. Do not drink and eat at the same time. Eat first, then drink. Do not pour your own drink. Wait to be served.

Dining etiquette for toasts. If you are the honored guest, you are not expected to make a statement or toast, but if you offer a small compliment, it will be appreciated.

Dining etiquette for beginning to eat. The honored guest is served first, then the oldest male, then the rest of the men, then children, and finally women. Do not begin to eat or drink until the oldest man has been served and has started eating.

Table Manners

Understanding Kenyan dining etiquette will be helpful and respected in most places.

Dining etiquette for washing your hands. Wash your hands before and after meals.

Dining etiquette for using your hands during the meal. Eat with your right hand. If offered a spoon or fork, hold them in your right hand.

Dining etiquette for bowls and serveware. Do not put your left hand on bowls or serveware. When one communal bowl is present, eat from the part of the bowl/plate in front of you.

Dining etiquette for after a meal. Do not leave the meal area unless invited to do so. A small burp signifies satisfaction.

Dining etiquette for talking business. Business is often discussed over meals, once individuals know each other well enough. Take your cue from your Kenyan associates.

dining etiquette in the home

If you move from one area to another in a home, always allow more senior members of your party to enter the room ahead of you.

guest / host dining etiquette

Dining etiquette for paying the bill. Normally the person that invites pays for the meal.

Dining etiquette for tipping. Tips in restaurants are 10 percent. United States currency is usually appreciated.

kenya map

related:

african dining etiquette