Posted inQuestion about Japan
Why people in Japan dont drink water with meals?
In Japan, it is not common to drink water with meals due to traditional Japanese culture and etiquette surrounding mealtime. This practice can be traced back to ancient times when people would consume beverages such as sake, tea, and other fermented drinks with meals instead of water. Tea plays an important role in Japanese culture due to its health benefits and its ability to aid digestion after eating heavy meals. Drinking water with meals can dilute digestive juices making it harder for your body to break down food properly leading to indigestion or other digestive issues. Additionally, social norms dictate that it is impolite to drink water while eating as this breaks the flow of conversation between diners and draws attention away from the meal itself. It is expected that visitors traveling abroad respect local customs when dining out so they may truly experience all aspects of another culture’s hospitality.