Local customs

In Asia (speaking very generally) this normally means someone is hosting you. It could be a family member, friend, colleague, business partner etc, rather than a tourist. There is no way around it, you just have to eat it or you risk causing offence. Keep an open mind. Generally people won't offer something they think a foreigner won't like, but you can't be picky. I'm not a fan of durian, for example, but it would be rude to refuse.

I don't drink alcohol for religious reasons, and that is something that is respected.

Interesting question. I also maintain that having someone be offended is not the end of the world. We still get to set our own boundaries, and if someone is offended, that's on them. Also, I may refuse to eat something that I know is going to make me gag if I eat it, and I suspect that seeing me gag might offend someone too.

So when I travel to a new country, I'll find out in advance if there is such a local custom, and decide how I'm going to handle it if it comes up.

I have to refuse food and drinks all the time. I have three food intolerances, and I only drink water. A good host needs to, and will, understand that there may be reasons beyond a person's control for needing to refuse food or drinks. I say, "No thank you." Sometimes I have to say it three, four, or more times. At the point that a host wonders why I am refusing everything, I then have to explain my three food intolerances. (One of which is histamine intolerance which is not easy to explain. Celiac disease and lactose intolerance are a little easier for people to understand.) It's a pain, and sometimes I do offend someone, but I have to do what I need to do in order to not be sick.

I came across this several times. While abroad conducting some fieldwork for my job, I had to visit residences (with a translator/community liaison).
I had to refuse drink and food often, and I asked the translator to share that I was sincerely appreciative of their generosity and welcoming, but my beliefs and work did not allow me to accept food or gift.

Welcome to the forum!

I guess I would wonder what situation (and where) you would be placed in as a tourist for this to be an issue.

Or would it be work related?

Or are you researching a blog or article and looking for people's personal experiences?

Sorry to be suspicious....

My thought too, Pam, it’s such a vague intro - what countries, what cultures? Is the person actually going somewhere that they’re concerned about? And a first-time poster too 🤔

Good call, Pam and AmandaR - now I feel suspicious too.