Eating While Walking
Army regulations prohibit soldiers from engaging in activities that might interfere with the hand salute or compromise a professional demeanor. This encompasses walking while eating. Aside from the potential safety risks, such as an increased likelihood of choking or not paying proper attention and inadvertently colliding with others, it’s a practice best avoided.
While it’s not certain if this prohibition was designed to aid people in blending in when abroad, it wouldn’t be surprising if it were. Consuming food while on the move—or indeed, undertaking any task beyond giving one’s full attention to the meal—is a habit distinctively associated with Americans. If you wish to embrace a more culturally aligned approach, find a place to sit down and relish your meal without multitasking.