Hungarian Christmas dinner etiquette

Have you been invited to a Hungarian home for Christmas dinner and are absolutely freaking out as it is your very first time? Let’s say you have mastered a couple of holiday wishes in Hungarian, picked out your most elegant outfit, and are ready for the feast. The last thing you need before you set out for the night? A couple of pointers on how to fit in with the locals! Here is your guide to Hungarian festive manners to ensure you will get invited next year again.

First and foremost, try to make it on time and call ahead if you know you will be late a couple of minutes. Unlike southern nations, punctuality for Hungarians is key. Also, we do not like to be kept waiting, especially with all those delicious hearty, festive dishes ready to be devoured.
Hungarians take pride in keeping a clean and tidy home. Guests are usually asked to remove their shoes upon arrival. Your host will probably give you some slippers you can wear during your stay. Even if it is pink and fluffy and totally mismatches your outfit, try to put on a brave face and just go with it.
Hungarians love to receive gifts. You can never go wrong with a bottle of wine or a box of chocolate. If your host or hostess has children, make sure to bring something little for the kids as well, as a polite gesture.
Avoid controversial topics such as politics, juicy gossip, raunchy jokes or sharing private matters. If you want to play it safe, just stick to weather discussions, economy, hobbies or travel stories. At least, until the 5th pálinka shot is served, then all inhibitions will go out of the window anyway!

As long as you do not see double and all your buttons are still intact on your clothes, it is considered rude to pass on that extra glass of Tokaji wine or the second or third serving of poppyseed beigli. Even if you fear that your scale might break the next morning, try to aim for that content shoulder-tap from your host at the end of the dinner.

Here comes the complicated part. At a Hungarian Christmas dinner, every little detail can carry important meaning. Keep your paper napkin on your left side and place the cloth napkin in your lap immediately upon sitting. When presented with a variety of eating utensils, remember to keep your fork on the left while your knife and spoon on the right side. If you are unsure of which cutlery to pick, just start at the outside and work your way in, course by course. Once you are done with the main course, and you want to show your host you really enjoyed the meal, place your knife and fork in the center of the plate in parallel.
Hungarians never toast with beer, it is received poorly among locals. Legend has it that when the 1848 Hungarian revolution against the Habsburgs was defeated, the Austrians celebrated with a toast of beer. Ever since, Hungarians have refused to say “egészségedre” with ale. You will surely find another alternative, as Hungarian dining tables are rarely short on a wide range of alcoholic and soft beverages.