Even if you're not well versed in all the finer points of fine dining, you probably heard some of the rules of etiquette repeated often. When you were a child, your parents might have said, "Don't talk with your mouth full." Your teacher might have told you to raise your hand when you had something to say rather than simply blurting it out. If you have any friends, you're likely to know how to be nice.

Before traveling abroad, you need to brush up on the customs and etiquette rules in the countries you plan to visit. There are likely to be some things you don't know.

Here are some etiquette tips that you may not have ever heard of:

1. Slurping – In Japan, there is nothing wrong with slurping. The Japanese consider it an acceptable practice because it enables you to eat hot noodles more quickly, and it lets the chef know that you're enjoying your food. I have lived in Japan, and I have to admit that the sound of slurping in the noodle houses bothered me.
2. Tipping – The Japanese and Chinese consider tipping a rude practice, so you can leave your tip chart at home. However, when you return to the States, you need to pull it out again, or you'll be faced with some very unhappy servers.
3. Left-handed eating – Never use your left hand to pick up food when you are in the Middle East because it is considered dirty since the left hand is used for personal hygiene. I'd be in trouble since I'm a leftie and am very uncoordinated with my right hand.

1. Share – When you visit Thailand, don't be surprised when someone takes food from your plate. It is perfectly acceptable – and expected – to share food at the table.
2. Last bite – Never take the last bit of food from the serving bowl in Thailand. That's considered downright rude.
3. Fork to spoon – Utensil rules change when you're traveling to other countries. While you're still in Thailand, you need to remember that the fork isn't used to put food into your mouth. The sole purpose of a fork is to shove the food onto the spoon before transferring it to your mouth.
4. Clean plate – Always leave something on your plate when visiting China. Eating every last morsel indicates that you weren't given enough food and may be considered insulting. My great aunt would have had trouble with this rule because she would make the kids sit at the table until they finished every last morsel.
5. Eating bread – In France, bread's purpose is not to satisfy your ravenous hunger before your meal arrives. It is used as a utensil to help shove food onto your fork and is always eaten with the meal. Always break your bread into bite-sized pieces and place the rest of it directly on the table rather than on your plate.
6. Bill splitting – Although it is considered perfectly acceptable in the U.S. to split the bill, in France, it is a no-no. Either offer to pay the entire bill or wait for someone else to do it.
7. Don't say cheese – When visiting Italy, never ask for Parmesan cheese on your seafood. In fact, if you're not offered cheese, don't ask for it. You don't want to insult the chef.
8. Respect your elders – Koreans consider it a sign of disrespect to start eating before the oldest person has begun. You also don't want to finish eating before the most senior person at the table is done, no matter how ravenous you are.
9. Teatime – Most of us are aware of the afternoon tea tradition in Great Britain, but it must be done in the proper manner. Don't clink your spoon on the sides of your cup, remove the spoon from the cup after stirring, and put it in the saucer.