Eating Etiquette
The majority of Romanians take great pride in their cuisine and culinary abilities. It's crucial to try every dish they serve you and to express your appreciation for the food. Meat is a common ingredient in Romanian cuisine. If you have specific dietary needs, let your Romanian counterpart know in advance.
Men normally talk while women prepare meals, arrange the table, and clean up afterward. Although the hostess is likely to decline, it is courteous to offer assistance. When the host or the person in charge of the table says, "Pofta buna," guests are welcomed to begin eating (Good appetite). Lunches and dinners, both formal and informal, frequently include toasting. A toast or cheer may be made with the word "Noroc" (Good luck).
Tuică, a widely consumed traditional alcoholic beverage from Romania typically made from plums, may likely be served to you. A shot of tuică is traditionally consumed before a meal. While eating, keep your hands visible above the table at all times, and avoid resting your elbows on the surface. In Romania, soup is a very common food (examples include Ciorbă, Iskembe, and Borsh). It is preferable to let hot soup cool naturally as opposed to blowing on it.
In informal settings, it is normal to use the bread that has been provided to sop up the leftover food on your plate. You can anticipate receiving a second and third serving. If the host is being very generous and pushes, you might have to decline more than time.
To offer to share your food with someone who isn't eating is also considered nice. If at all possible, try to finish everything on your plate, especially if it was prepared at home. This demonstrates how much you valued and savored the food. At the conclusion of a dinner, it's customary for everyone to say "Sărut mâna pentru masa" (I kiss your hand for the meal) or "Mulţumesc pentru masa" (Thank you for the meal).
