The evening meal is the main meal of the day , rather than the noon mid-day meal. Guests who are unfamiliar with foods presented often take a small amount of each food passed to them taking more as desired when the dishes are offered again. In this case, food is placed on a side table for guests to serve themselves before proceeding into the dining room or living room where they will eat the meal. Place settings at the table may include two forks, two spoons and a knife. Guests who are not certain which food requires which piece of equipment often observe the table behavior of the host and hostess for guidance.
Some families offer a prayer of thanksgiving before beginning each meal.
Guests usually refrain from beginning the meal until everyone has been served and the hostess has lifted her fork. Therefore only a small portion may be prepared for each guest. It may be helpful to observe the hosts to see how much rice they serve themselves. Coffee is usually served with dessert. International visitors who are accustomed to refusing the second helping a number of times should realize that the offer may be extended only once.