I eat with my neighbour every day. Lunch and supper. Most of the time we eat together BUT sometimes he let me eat first. I know the custom where "guests" can eat first (experienced numerous times in different countries, Asia and Africa) but this guy is a close friend and most of the time we eat at the same time and share everything. Is there any logic as why he sometimes wait for me to be full first (EEM YANG?) ? When I ask him he says he's not hungry (polite answer) or that he's drinking first but as soon as I'm finished he starts eating anyway. I get the impression it has something to do with the type of food on the table, ie. let me have the best pieces/first choice.

(sorry, maybe better to have this in Thai food forum?)

Edited October 4, 201312 yr by stickylies

Looks like he really isn't that hungry... for the "protocol", you should not stop eating before your guest,

keeping him animated eating.