Native language= English
Born and raised in America.
We don't say anything.
I say that we say, "Dig in!" but we really don't.

And, seeing as half of my family is Chinese (Cantonese-speaking), here's what I know about that:

Anyway, I'm not going to attempt to English-ify it, but anyway you say something that roughly translates to, "Eat rice," (or, "Eat food") to everyone older than you for respect (at least in families). Or so I was told.
I will just say that if you're the youngest, poor you. (Apparently my youngest uncle had it rough with the huge Chinese family thing going.)

According to other people that have posted:

Quote from karenrocks

Quote from gan17

Quote from karenrocks

[quote=gan17][quote=girlpower3]
and my family always say “慢慢吃” 😀 (man man chi)

Doesn't that mean 'eat slowly'?.... heh, do u eat too fast or something?

In a way, it means eat slowly and enjoy your food because when you eat slower you are able to savor the meal.

I usually say 食饭 (sik fan), which means "eat rice" before sitting down and eat, or 慢慢吃. I guess in a way saying 食饭 is like ringing a bell telling everyone that there's food to be eaten.

'Sik Fan' is Cantonese, rite.... anyway, thanks for explaining it to me. I always get the Chinese dialects mixed up (too many).
Um Koi (I think that's thankyou) .

BTW.... This thread is starting to sound like an episode of Mind Your Language (wonder how many of you know what I'm talking about?)[/quote]
No problem. I've had friends who asked me the same question ;p And yes it is Cantonese.
[/quote]

It has been English-ified above as, "Sik Fan." Honestly, I would have put, "Sick fun," so I'm glad I found this first before trying.

Quote from Nisseman

And we only say "tack för maten" after we have eaten. =3

it's of course simular in Iceland. We say "verði ykkur að góðu" (which can be translated 'bon appitet') before the meal and after "takk fyrir mig" (my thanks (for the meal))

Quote from sljo

it's of course simular in Iceland. We say "verði ykkur að góðu" (which can be translated 'bon appitet') before the meal and after "takk fyrir mig" (my thanks (for the meal))

Wow... someone from Iceland.... I've been to Reykjavick (spelling?) once, but only for a few days.... loved it.

I've heard that Icelandic is the hardest language to learn. Is it true you guys really have elves in Iceland?

Point & Squirt

English= epic failz
Mandarin=.......... I really can't remember cuz my parents dont say shit and my chinese skills are rather subpar =/

In Italy Buon Appetito! and for drinking Cin Cin or Prosit

Quote from gan17

I've heard that Icelandic is the hardest language to learn. Is it true you guys really have elves in Iceland?

LOL

What I like in Trivial Pursuit style. Pick your category:[img]http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo233/Reid4891/Manga/trivia-1.jpg[/img]

The more mannerly English speakers simply say thank you before and/or after eating, which is essentially what all of these boil down to, various ways of giving thanks for the food.

It's usually directed toward whoever prepared the food for us. Religious types say grace I guess and thank their god.

usually my stomach just lets out a big growl. 😀

In India there are so may different cultures so there probably is an equal to itadakimasu but I don't know any of them.

In the region I used to live in we had no saying like that, but there is a tradition where you take about a bite's worth of food and put it aside before you eat as an offering to god (saying thanks to god).

Quote from reid1

In Italy Buon Appetito! and for drinking Cin Cin or Prosit

Quote from gan17

I've heard that Icelandic is the hardest language to learn. Is it true you guys really have elves in Iceland?

LOL

Wasn't that Greenland? You know green...oh never mind, I was thinking leprechauns. Sorry if I offended anyone. (:

Quote from Rainy Days

Quote from reid1

In Italy Buon Appetito! and for drinking Cin Cin or Prosit

Quote from gan17

I've heard that Icelandic is the hardest language to learn. Is it true you guys really have elves in Iceland?

LOL

Wasn't that Greenland? You know green...oh never mind, I was thinking leprechauns. Sorry if I offended anyone. (:

err it's commonly known that leprechauns live in ireland...i once saw one running around saying where's me pot of gold...where's me pot of gold...

If the sea were made of Whiskey and I was a duck
I'd swim to the bottom and never come up

Quote from gan17

I've heard that Icelandic is the hardest language to learn. Is it true you guys really have elves in Iceland?

actually I come from town mixed with elves and people and we do offer a sightseeing for tourists showing the places were the elves live. But be warned, some group of elves like to exchange their child for men's child, without anyone noticing and those children are not easy to handle 😉

Quote from sljo

Quote from gan17

I've heard that Icelandic is the hardest language to learn. Is it true you guys really have elves in Iceland?

actually I come from town mixed with elves and people and we do offer a sightseeing for tourists showing the places were the elves live. But be warned, some group of elves like to exchange their child for men's child, without anyone noticing and those children are not easy to handle 😉

😲 😲 😲 😲

Point & Squirt

Quote from sljo

Quote from Nisseman

And we only say "tack för maten" after we have eaten. =3

it's of course simular in Iceland. We say "verði ykkur að góðu" (which can be translated 'bon appitet') before the meal and after "takk fyrir mig" (my thanks (for the meal))

Same in Norway, "Takk for maten" eller "Takk for meg" after the meal.
Doesn't "takk fyrir mig" translate directly to "Thanks for me" (Sounds incredibly stupid in english) just as "takk for meg" or does it have another meaning?
(Funny how so different languages are connected through older ones)

Does anyone have the costum of staying at the dining table until everyone is finished with their food?

Quote from Torje

Does anyone have the costum of staying at the dining table until everyone is finished with their food?

I think lots of families practice that, regardless of nationality or religion.

Point & Squirt

Quote from Torje

Quote from sljo

Quote from Nisseman

And we only say "tack för maten" after we have eaten. =3

it's of course simular in Iceland. We say "verði ykkur að góðu" (which can be translated 'bon appitet') before the meal and after "takk fyrir mig" (my thanks (for the meal))

Same in Norway, "Takk for maten" eller "Takk for meg" after the meal.
Doesn't "takk fyrir mig" translate directly to "Thanks for me" (Sounds incredibly stupid in english) just as "takk for meg" or does it have another meaning?
(Funny how so different languages are connected through older ones)

yes, you are correct and we can also say "Takk fyrir matinn", like you do

I don't think we say anything like that in vietnamese. Except for maybe "toi doi wa, cho toi an" which means, "i'm soooooo hungry, let me eatttttt!!!!" But in my family, we just pray before we eat ^_^

♪MONSTARR~ will eat all your cookies and steal your bishies~♪ Φ_Φ