Etiquette

I'm in the midst of studying for my nursing finals, but I just have to type this post before I forget.

Etiquette is a tricky thing. It applies in many settings - social, home, work, travel, etc. Every culture has its own etiquette, even every family or person has its own rules of etiquette.

Why have I brought this up? Several things happened over the last week that has made me realize that it is nearly impossible to display good etiquette and expect the same standards from others.

We were at a friends wedding banquet and two incidences happened that just left my jaw hanging. I must state clearly, that the two things I'll explain applies mainly to the Chinese culture.
Number one - Chinese restaurants are often round tables with a turning plate because we like to order big dishes and share food around the table. So, here are some rules that I learned growing up:
1. never spin the center when someone else is taking food
2. never take food when someone is spinning the center
3. do not pick around the dish to find what you want - take what's closest to you.
there are more, but mainly number 2 and 3 happened and ticked me off. I was spinning (must spin plate of food in front of you to take from it, do not attempt to reach across the table - another rule) to get to the lobster plate - all of a sudden, one guest two spots from me, reached out to spoon TWO pieces of nicely cut edible lobster onto his plate. As the person spinning, I paused my spin as he took the food. Which would've been fine if the person apologized or said thank you. So, this person took food while I was spinning, did not excuse himself, and took two last edible pieces.
I think all the rules I mentioned go for many cultures. I mean who on earth would take all the food without offering to others first. I'm starting to vent again. Just the thought of what happened makes me shudder and irritated (I'm easily aggravated...)

Moving on...

This one I heard from my sister...
At Chinese weddings, we gift money not stuff (haha). Usually there's a socially known amount to give, but it's always understandable if someone has financial troubles that the gift may be smaller or none at all.
There are just some % of people in this world who has such thick skin to show up empty handed and actually boast about it?
Honestly? What goes on in people's minds sometimes amazes me.

I know it's wrong to judge and gossiping is vile, but hey, it's probably happening inside every home, over emails, phone calls, and lunch dates. So, I find nothing wrong putting out what I call "topics" to discuss. It's more like a learning experience, so don't take it personally.