Japanese phrases at meal time

go-chiso^ sama deshita 御ちそうさまでした

The thing to say after partaking of a hearty Japanese feast in gratitude showing your thanks. It is a custom in Japan grounded in buddhist tradition, that after every meal the partaker of that meal should say go-chiso^ sama deshita 御ちそうさまでした. It should be considered mandatory to outsiders that it is necessary to say this after a meal. Perhaps to say the least. It most likely would show a host family in Japan rude manners, uncultured. So make it a point to say go-chiso^ sama deshita 御ちそうさまでしたafter every meal eaten in Japan, whether or not anybody is there.