Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan. On the other hand, it is considered good style to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.
China. In China, burping is treated as any other bodily process, and after a meal, it can indeed serve as a compliment to the chef. It's probably China that originated the pervasive myth about complimentary burping abroad.
In China, if you burp, it indicates to your host that you enjoyed your meal, and the same is true for making loud slurping noises in Japan, whereas in the U.S. it's considered tacky.
Egypt. Contrary to the West, where burping after a meal is considered rude, in Egypt burping loudly after a meal is considered good dining etiquette and signifies your appreciation of the food you've just eaten.
Burping and slurping at the dinner table. In China and Taiwan, burping is the highest form of flattery—it means you like the food! “The host considers the noise a compliment,” says Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick, founder and president of the Etiquette School of New York.
You might have known about slurping with the amount of Korean dramas you consume regularly. But burping, or even farting, in public is not frowned upon. Burping is actually considered a sign of appreciation for the food. Chefs like it if you do it.
Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan. On the other hand, it is considered good style to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.
Pointing at people or things is considered rude in Japan. Instead of using a finger to point at something, the Japanese use a hand to gently wave at what they would like to indicate. When referring to themselves, people will use their forefinger to touch their nose instead of pointing at themselves.
The Japanese consider it rude to leave food on your plate, and even more so to order more food when you haven't finished everything you've already got. This is related to one of the fundamental concepts in Japanese culture, mottainai, which is a feeling of regret at having wasted something.
Loud slurping may be rude in the U.S., but in Japan it is considered rude not to slurp. Oh, and don't forget to use your chopsticks to get the noodles into your mouth. It is also acceptable to bring your small bowl of food close to your face to eat, instead of bending your head down to get closer to your plate.
Burping is polite
In China, burping isn't considered rude. In fact, it's actually a sign of gratitude to the cook and satisfaction with the meal. It's a great compliment, so don't be surprised when you hear a burp or two at the dining table.
Chewing open-mouthed (including chewing gum), slurping loudly, burping and talking with a full mouth are considered very rude. If you do any of these things accidentally, say "pardon me" or "excuse me."
It's considered both rude and crude — something you simply shouldn't do around other people. The act goes by many names — cutting the cheese, blowing a raspberry, letting it rip, passing gas, breaking wind and tooting.
Society and culture
Burping during a meal is also considered unacceptable in Western cultures, such as North America and Europe. In Middle Eastern countries, it is not acceptable to burp out loud in public, and one should silence one's burp, or at least attempt to do so.
While the Japanese are often curious and may stare at foreigners, especially Americans, this was not the reason so many people seemed annoyed with us.
Moving food or picking out what you like from a shared dish is best left to the end of the chopsticks that don't go into your mouth. Don't stack your dishes when you finish a meal. It's actually good manners to return your dishes and chopsticks to how they were before you ate your food.
Before eating, Japanese people say "itadakimasu," a polite phrase meaning "I receive this food." This expresses thanks to whoever worked to prepare the food in the meal.
Crossing your arms
This is considered a hostile position, and it's unlikely that anybody will approach you for a chat if you're standing with your arms crossed. If you cross your arms during a conversation with a Japanese person you don't know very well, they may take that as a signal that you don't want to talk.
Don't burp: In some countries, for example in India, burping is a sign of satisfaction and satiety. But in Italy, it's unacceptable. Basically, you should avoid every loud sound—slurping is another good example.
Eating Culture and Etiquette. In general, Americans eat quietly with their mouths closed. Burping is seen as rude, not as a compliment to the cook.
Slurping your noodles loudly is considered a compliment to the chef throughout Japan and China – a sign of deep appreciation for your one-bowl meal. In South Korea and Singapore, however, not so much. There, you might get unappreciative glances – the kind you get when you talk too loudly in a quiet train carriage.