Bedouin Dining and Customs

Sometimes the hostess (the oldest woman of the household or the lady who cooked) will pass or put the best pieces of meat in front of a guest of honor to make them feel particularly welcome.

 Top 8 Bedouin Table Manners

Bedouin Etiquette that People should know

Shamefully, as a child growing up, years before moving from Europe to the UAE, I would have taken an article title like this above, to be an oxymoron. Many undoubtedly held the belief that being a Bedouin would equate to no dining etiquette, and that somehow only our way of doing things was the correct and refined way. 

Fortunately, life has humbled me over the years to work for over a decade as a flight attendant serving all layers of society, and across all cultures. And as I saw members of royal families respect their roots on private jets I got to not only learn but deeply respect the extensive art of true and authentic Bedouin etiquette. Unfortunately, I encounter many people who have a narrow and snobbish perspective, avoiding touching food with anything but cutlery, and considering those who do otherwise as indulging in some lesser, "animalistic" behavior.

Our self-satisfaction with this marvelous instance of artificiality, however, should not lead us to assume that people who habitually eat with their hands are any less determined than we are to behave “properly.” They too overlay “animal” instincts with manners and indulge in both the constraints and the ornamentations which characterize polite behavior.

Bedouin hospitality is renowned worldwide, and a significant part of this hospitality is reflected in their dining etiquette. Meals are not just about food; they are about community, respect, and connection. 

In Bedouin culture, it is customary to eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean as it is traditionally used for personal hygiene, and you should therefore hold it by your side. This practice emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and respect in communal settings. At weddings and formal gatherings, children bring jugs of water and soap for adults to wash their hands before and after eating. 

Here are the top 8 table manners in Bedouin etiquette that everyone should know and incorporate into their dining practices.

1. Communal Eating & the Art of Sharing — Meals are typically communal, with everyone sharing from a large central dish. This practice fosters a sense of unity and equality among diners. It teaches us the importance of sharing and being mindful of others while eating. When eating, you should always eat from the section of the tray that is directly in front of you and should not reach your hand to eat from another person’s section. This is considered rude and unhygienic. Sometimes the hostess (the oldest woman of the household or the lady who cooked) will pass or put the best pieces of meat in front of a guest of honor to make them feel particularly welcome.
2. Use of the Right Hand — In Bedouin culture, it is customary to eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean as it is traditionally used for personal hygiene, and you should therefore hold it by your side. This practice emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and respect in communal settings. At weddings and formal gatherings, children bring jugs of water and soap for adults to wash their hands before and after eating. On less formal occasions, people still wash their hands before and after but they would help themselves. On private jets and Arab airlines, a round of wet towels is always served before and after the meal, and cleanliness continues to be an essential element of dining etiquette culture.
3. Avoid Licking Your Fingers — Cultures that built their cuisine around dining with the hands believe that eating with your hand improves the taste of the food. At the same time, this can ensure you do not burn your mouth. Take some of the food, knead it into a little ball, and slide it into your mouth with the use of one finger. In Bedouin etiquette, as opposed to other cultures, only three fingers are used to dine and not the whole hand, which would make you look greedy. However, it is bad manners to lick your fingers and then continue eating. If you can’t help but lick them, then you should not put your hand back in the food.
4. Waiting for the Elders — Elders are given the utmost respect, and meals do not begin until the eldest person at the table has started eating. Also, elders enter and sit first. This rule teaches us to honor and respect the wisdom and presence of older generations. This rule applies regardless of status, and many times the VIP or Royal will always wait for the eldest person to start eating. The respect they hold and the values maintained in society are genuinely moving, and attending Bedouin dining etiquette closely was like having a front-row seat to a lesson on respect and humility.
5. Serving Guests First — Guests are always served first, and the best portions of the meal are often reserved for them. This custom highlights the importance of making guests feel valued and appreciated. However, if you find yourself in the position of a guest, please be mindful of the guideline above and wait for the eldest to start eating before you "dig in," unless otherwise advised by the hosts.
6. Silent Communication — Much of Bedouin dining etiquette involves non-verbal communication. For example, when you want to indicate you do not want more tea, you can put your hand over the top of the glass. When you want to indicate you do not want more coffee, you wiggle or shake the cup as you hand it back to the person serving Arabic coffee. Ideally, the coffee cup should not be put down on the ground because if passed to be refilled, it will go on top of another cup for hygienic reasons. Learning these subtle cues can enhance our communication skills and ultimately our relationships.
7. Minimal Waste — Bedouins hold great value in offering an abundance of food as a sign of their great hospitality. The amount of food on the plate might worry you, but the dish is not supposed to be finished. Usually, they eat a modest amount of the food provided on the plate. An empty plate would make your host look bad, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. Rest assured, they place a high value on not wasting food and especially water. Show gratitude as a sign of respect for the food provided and the effort put into its preparation. Avoid holding the food you have in your hand for a long time hovering over the tray before eating it. Always finish the water given or take the bottle with you, even if you travel to the UAE and it all seems abundantly luxurious. Water is still a respected natural resource, and it will communicate a lot about your values and sense of respect.
8. Seated on the Floor — Traditional Bedouin meals are often served on the floor, with diners seated on cushions. It is rude to sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards another person, as the soles of your feet are unclean. Some people may have medical problems with their legs; in those cases, they will sit with their legs stretched out and a blanket, pillow, or scarf over their feet. People with certain health conditions (e.g., pregnant women, someone with arthritis) are also allowed and often encouraged by the people they are sitting with to sit with their legs stretched out. Bedouin etiquette also suggests that one should leave their shoes outside the sitting room, tent, or house, as the bottom of our shoes are dirty. If you need to keep them close to you, you would always put them behind you rather than in front of you where you are sitting. In addition, if one shoe becomes turned up so the sole is facing up, you should always turn it so the sole is facing down again.

The table manners of the Bedouin people offer a beautiful blend of respect, humility, and connection. By understanding and incorporating these practices into our dining experiences, we can create more meaningful and respectful mealtime interactions. Whether it is sharing a meal with friends, family, or strangers, these customs remind us of the importance of hospitality, gratitude, and community in our daily lives.

Contributor, Andreea Stefanescu, is an internationally accredited etiquette, communication, and cross-cultural management consultant. She holds an MBA in International Hospitality and Customer Service Management from GIHE, Switzerland, ranked as the top worldwide hospitality institution. With over 15 years of global experience, Andreea has lived and studied in eight countries, speaks four languages (RO, EN, FR, SP), and has traveled to 89 countries. She is the founder of The School of Manners, offering unparalleled expertise in international etiquette, intercultural communication, and human behavior.

Andreea’s extensive training includes certifications from renowned institutions such as the Protocol School of Washington, The English Manner, and the Institut Villa Pierrefeu. She is certified in micro-expressions, body language, and personality assessments, including MBTI®. Her professional experience spans luxury hospitality, private aviation, and training in Royal Etiquette and Diplomacy. 

As a communication specialist, Andreea has worked with high-profile clients, including executives, diplomats, and celebrities, helping them navigate diverse social and professional environments with confidence. Her approach emphasizes respect, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, making her a sought-after speaker and trainer on international platforms. 

Through The School of Manners, Andreea equips individuals and organizations with the skills to master etiquette, enhance their personal and professional presence, and build effective, culturally aware communication strategies. 

For more information, visit The School of Manners or contact Andreea at andreea@theschoolofmanners.com.

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