The holiday begins with a feast! And no one will argue with that. We have long been accustomed to immediately recalling food, drinks and desserts when we talk about the past holiday.
If some kind of celebration is being prepared, they also first of all think about the festive table, various dishes. But the decoration of the table, the arrangement of dishes also play a huge role!
beautiful table setting holiday table can completely transform the holiday, bring the event to a completely different level. At the same time, it is not supposed to arrange dishes, lay out forks and spoons in a random order. It is important to know whole line nuances.
Over the years, people have already managed to develop peculiar “formulas”, the observance of which ensures comfort at the festive table for everyone. Serving is a real art. Remember the basic nuances so that your table is really elegant. Some interesting ideas holiday table decorations are also always useful.
Basic rules for serving a festive table
We immediately note a few nuances. These rules are universal for any table setting, regardless of the occasion for the holiday. It is important to pay attention to the choice of serving items. They should reflect the thematic focus of the feast, fit into the interior and design of the room as harmoniously as possible.
Dishes, napkins, plates and cutlery should be selected according to color, shape and materials, design, so that all items create a single ensemble together. It is advisable not to allow dissonance. It is necessary to take into account the color of textiles: tablecloths, napkins.
It is worth remembering that the setting of the festive table is needed not only to create a pleasant atmosphere, a special festive mood, but also to ensure comfort. It should be convenient for each guest to use dishes, cutlery, napkins. For this, the placement of all objects is thought out, the optimal distances between them are determined.
There is also traditional sequence in which the festive table is usually served.
Vases with flowers will become worthy decoration any holiday table. Even at business lunches and official receptions, they are indispensable elements of table decoration.
Remember that cutlery and glassware need to be more than just clean. On a properly served holiday table, these items are sure to shine. To do this, they are first washed, then thoroughly dried, after which they are polished to a shine with napkins.
Plates for serving a festive table
Please note: the plates themselves can be real works of art, true table decorations. Sometimes it is they who determine the thematic focus of the feast. Therefore, approach the choice of plates and sets thoughtfully. For a solemn event, you can purchase dishes separately.
Of course, it is important to remember how arrange the plates correctly during table setting.
- Smooth the tablecloth again, make sure that there are no wrinkles or litter on it. Start spreading. There should be plates in front of each guest. You can not put them on the very edge of the table. The approximate distance from the plate to the edge is usually two centimeters. Professional waiters instantly determine the desired distance from the edge of the table by placing the middle and index fingers between it and the plate.
- When the occasion is solemn, it is worth using the so-called "double plates". You first put a small dinner plate, and already install a snack bar on it. Since the plate should not slide, a napkin should be laid between the dishes.
- There are also special pie plates, which are located to the left of the main ones. The distance from the pie plate to the diner should be 5-12 cm.
- If the feast is especially solemn, all the edges of the plates are placed on the same line, clearly. So line up small and patty plates.
The centers of all plates must be placed in one line.
Arrange the plates correctly. Be sure to consider that there will be vases, salad bowls, and cutlery on the table. Each guest should feel comfortable, be able to move quietly without touching the neighbors on the table.
Cutlery for serving a festive table
Now it's time to learn how to properly place cutlery for a festive table setting. IN ordinary life we are accustomed to keeping the number of forks and spoons to a minimum, putting cutlery in random order. But at festive serving this approach should be avoided. Remember all the nuances.
It is not necessary to lay out all the devices in a row. If the menu contains only snacks, you will not need cutlery. They are needed only for the second hot dishes.
All appliances should be perpendicular to the edge of the table, parallel to each other.
When dessert cutlery is required, they should be laid out in front of the plate. First a knife, then a fork and a spoon. The fork handle turns to the left, while the spoon and knife handles turn to the right.
Glassware plays a huge role on every table. Wine glasses and glasses decorate the table, become eye-catching decor details. At the same time, their practical function is also important. For example, the comfort of guests can largely depend on the shape of the glasses. Of some models, it is inconvenient to drink, some do not lie well in the palm of your hand.
Learn how to properly arrange glassware.
- You can arrange glassware in the center, to the right of the plates. If the glass is placed in the center, it should be behind the plate. When you want to put the glass on the right, it should be placed in the place where the end of the first knife intersects with the top edge of the plate. Mineral water and juice are poured into this glass.
- For fruit drink, kvass, you need to put a mug. The handle is turned to the right.
- Glass, glass for alcoholic beverages put to the right of the main glass. When the assortment of drinks is large, the glass should be placed on the left, and all glassware for alcohol should be placed to the right of the plate.
- More than three items in one row should not be placed. This already creates discomfort, looks ugly.
The distance between glasses, glasses should be approximately one centimeter.
Glasses, glasses, wine glasses for table setting
capacity and view glassware depends on what kind of drink will be in it.
In accordance with the rules of etiquette, it is customary to allocate a separate glass for each drink.
For vodka, an ordinary glass is placed, for fortified wine - Madeira. A separate glass is required for dry white wine. Champagne is poured into wine glasses, the capacity of which is 180-210 ml. If red dry wine is served, it should be accompanied by a special Rhine wine glass. Juices, water are poured into a glass, the capacity of which can be 250-350 ml.
It is great if all the glasses, wine glasses will be in harmony with each other.
Napkins also occupy a prominent place in the table setting. They are able to give the whole table a special look, create a thematic design. Interestingly, folding napkins is a whole science. You can create peacocks, water lilies, candles and ties from them.
It is important to select napkins by color, size, so that they are in harmony with the tablecloth, dishes, interior of the room in which the solemn event is held. Then the feast will be magnificent. It is believed that when setting the table, it is necessary to use cloth napkins.
It is good when they are in harmony with the tablecloth in color and texture. Sometimes they immediately purchase sets that include textiles for serving. However, the original design solutions are also in demand. For example, napkins and tablecloths contrast. But with dishes, vases or plates, napkins should still be combined.
Napkins are used clean, starched. Usually a napkin is placed on a plate, you can put it on the right.
Cloth napkins are not customary to wipe your mouth. These accessories perform a decorative function, sometimes they are placed on your knees.
For hygienic purposes, use paper.
Festive table setting ideas
Tables are served differently. Any festive table can be given an extraordinary, memorable look, make the decor themed.
Table setting deserves special attention. for a romantic dinner. A woman will be able to capture the imagination of her beloved if she creates such a small miracle on the table. It is better to avoid too bright tones, stick to a few primary colors.
For example, red plates, napkins, flowers and candles of the same shade will be in perfect harmony with red glasses. Fits perfectly in this setting. decorative heart, golden cutlery, white plates and transparent wine glasses, a snow-white vase for flowers.
The table setting looks very original in nautical style. It is suitable for lunch with family friends, New Year's breakfasts. A decorative light tree in a blue vase is placed in the center of the table, the surface of the table is decorated with a delicate blue cloth.
Transparent glasses are in perfect harmony with white plates and glass vases for dessert, light napkins. On the plates are small plates of bright turquoise color in the form of shells.
The festive table is also decorated in an original way. New Year. If friends decide have a bite before New Year's Eve , you can limit yourself to the arrangement of basic appliances, white plates and transparent glasses. The main decoration will be gifts in translucent fabric, placed on napkins in plates, and a festive composition of red candles and artificial pine needles.
Successfully designed New Year's table when serving contrasts shades of brown, beige and green. Bright Christmas balls in a white plate can become a real table decoration. Napkins are sometimes placed in the form of purses. So accessories become symbols of prosperity in the coming year.
You can come up with your own ways of serving the festive table. Consider all the nuances, remember the rules. Then any solemn feast will be fine.
Master class - how to properly serve a festive table:
But here few people understood them in more detail. For many, it is sufficient that they know in which hand to hold a knife and in which to hold a fork. However, this is very little. In this article I want to talk about how to behave at the table correctly.
About etiquette
First of all, it must be said that there are different types behavior in this or that institution and even in this or that country. If you figure out how beautiful it is to eat, this question will be completely the same for European countries, in which you need to be at least quiet at the table, and for Asian countries, where gratitude to the owner for a delicious dinner is expressed by loud champing and smacking. Also, behavior in a restaurant and visiting relatives at the table may differ slightly.
Restaurant etiquette
Understanding how beautiful it is is very important for those people who visit various restaurants from time to time. So, here it is important to behave correctly immediately after crossing the threshold of the institution. It is important to remember that the head waiter meets guests, tells if there are free seats, and takes them to the desired table. It is also his duty to take outerwear visitors. Approaching the table, a man (if guests of different sexes have come) must first help the lady sit down, pushing her chair a little, then he sits down himself. It is also important to remember how to sit at the table correctly. As for the position, the representative of the stronger sex should be opposite the woman or to her left. If the lady is a little late, the man can take a seat at the table, but when the head waiter takes her to the appointed place, the guy will definitely stand up as a sign of respect.
Order selection
When the couple is already at the table, the waiter is sure to serve the menu. It is not customary to rush to choose the desired dishes, in such establishments it is not customary to rush. Most often, the waiter will see that the guests are ready to order something, and he himself will come. But you can also call the attendants to you with a slight movement of your hand. The order is made first by a woman, only then - by a man. However, a lady can ask a guy to do it for her, this is also allowed. If the guests cannot decide on the choice of wine, they can ask the waiter for advice. You can also consult with him about a particular dish, this is allowed by the rules of etiquette.
Expectation
How to behave at the table while the order has not yet arrived? At this time, guests can quietly communicate. The waiter will most likely bring the wine first. Only a restaurant employee uncorks bottles; a man should not take off from his place to do this. First, the drink is served to the ladies, then to the guys. As for food, you can start eating only after everyone at the table already has ordered dishes.
Rules
Understanding how beautiful it is to eat, it is also important to remember that in restaurants it is strictly forbidden to pick up fallen objects from the floor. The waiter will do it. He must bring a clean instrument. If there was an embarrassment and broke, for example, a plate or a glass, do not worry. Just the restaurant will include its cost in the bill, and the case will be closed. No one will make scandals about this. If you want to salt the dish, and the salt shaker is on the other side of the table, you should not reach out for it yourself, you need to ask the neighbor just to serve what you need. It is also important to remember about decibels: you need to speak in a restaurant in a way that does not disturb others.
How to sit
Understanding how beautiful it is, it is important to remember that you need to sit at the table correctly. So, it is forbidden to put your elbows on the table, fall apart on a chair, swing on it. Also, you can not bend low over the plate. The back of the seated person should be straight, no need to slouch either. However, there should be no tension and rigidity in the posture, everything should be natural. When there is a change of dish, the guest is allowed to lean back a little so as not to interfere with the waiter and to rest a little in a comfortable position.
About food
It is worth remembering that it is not customary to rush in restaurants, meals are eaten slowly to enjoy them. palatability. If the food is quite hot, you can not blow on it. To cool down, you just need to wait a little, keeping the conversation going. If burning with burning food occurs, you can’t wave a napkin or hands into your mouth, you can only drink everything with water. Various bones, including fruit ones, are strictly forbidden to spit out or remove from the mouth with your hands. For this, a fork is designed, which is gently brought to the mouth and everything unnecessary is added there. If the person did not like the taste of the dish at all, you can bring a napkin close to your mouth and spit everything out there, without attracting the attention of others with indignation about this.
If you need to leave
The culture of behavior at the table has its own recommendations about mobile phones. So, if a guest is called, he can briefly say that he will call back without leaving his seat. However, if the conversation is urgent, be sure to move away. Talking at the table on the phone is a bad form. Also, if you need to leave, for example, to the restroom, you need to ask permission from everyone present at the table. You can also not talk to people sitting at the next table. If these are comrades or you just need to ask something, you need to get up and approach them. In the case when acquaintances enter the restaurant, they should be greeted sitting, with a slight nod of the head. A man gets up only if a lady joins his table. Women do not move in all situations.
End of meal
When the dinner has come to an end, the guests are full and satisfied, they can ask the waiter for the bill, which will mean that their stay in this institution has come to an end. The attendants will bring a folder in which the account will be indicated. It is also important to remember about the tip - 10% of the order value. Who should pay - that's another question. So, in the countries of the post-Soviet space, this is done mainly by men. In European countries, women are actively fighting this, considering it a relic of the past, and there everyone pays for himself. If the dinner was just friendly, you can ask the waiter in advance to bring a personal bill, for each person separately. It is also important to remember about surrender. If it is necessary, the person is simply silent. If there is money in the folder, part of which does not need to be returned, you just need to say: “Without change”, and this will be the end of the matter. It is important to remember that it is necessary to decide who will pay in advance, it is ugly to do this in front of the waiter. You also need to know who to complain to. To talk about everything that you liked or didn’t like, you need the head waiter, not the waiter.
Cutlery
But if all of the above is not too terrifying for the unknowing, then here's how to properly deal with cutlery - this is a whole science. After all, there are a huge number of plates, knives, spoons and glasses of various sizes and purposes. It is elementary to know how to properly hold the fork and how to use it. So, when a person sits down at a table, no matter where it happens - in a restaurant or at home, he must definitely look around. So, according to the rules, a snack plate should stand straight, to the right of it - a pie or napkin plate. By left hand from the plate should be spoons and knives, to the right - forks. If all this is observed at the table, we can conclude that certain manners are required from the guest. You also need to remember that a dessert device will be located in front of the plate, most likely a teaspoon. Wine glasses and glasses will stand behind the plate, they all also have their own purpose.
How to use cutlery
So what is the right way to hold a fork? This question often worries people. It is worth remembering that those devices that lie to the left of the plate are taken with the left hand, those on the right - with the right. That's all science. Dessert devices are arranged so that the handle will look to the right or left. Depending on this, you need to decide which hand to take them with. As for the knife, according to the rules, the end of its handle should rest against the center of the palm, the thumb and middle finger are on the sides of the knife, and the index finger is in the center. The rest of the fingers are slightly bent towards the palm. The fork while eating is held so that its teeth look down, the handle, like that of a knife, rests on the palm. In the case when you need to eat small pieces of food, as well as a side dish - mashed potatoes or porridge, turn the fork upside down, and a knife can help in picking up food a little. The spoon is held in the left hand so that its end is on the base. index finger, and the beginning - on average. If the dish is easily separated, the waiter can serve only the fork, in which case it must be held in the right hand. Now it should be clear to everyone, not only how to hold a fork and knife, but also other nuances of using cutlery. Moreover, it is not as difficult as it might seem at first.
Napkin
When figuring out how to eat beautifully, it is important to know that you also need to be able to manage with a napkin. Often it becomes the subject of table decoration, but at the same time it also has its direct purpose. Before eating, the napkin should be carefully folded in half and placed on your knees with the edge towards you. This will help protect your suit or dress from drips that might spill. You can also wipe your hands or lips with this napkin after eating or drinking. Hanging it by the collar, making a bib, is strictly prohibited. This is both inconvenient and very ugly. Soiled fingers are gently and imperceptibly wiped on the upper edge of the napkin, which remains on the lap. If you need to get your lips wet, the napkin is raised, however, so that it is completely in the palm of your hand, and not hanging. Blot (but do not wipe) the lips with the middle of the napkin, then it is placed back in place. It is strictly forbidden to use it as a handkerchief or towel for wet or dirty hands. Also, you can not wipe the cutlery with a napkin, looking for a speck on them. This can be great to offend the owners. If this item has fallen, you need to ask to bring a new one. At the end of the meal, the napkin is placed to the left of the plate, but never hung on the back of a chair.
About drinks
Everyone understands that proper behavior at the table is the key to a successful evening in a cultural institution. It is also important to give a few words and drinks, as well as the containers that suit them. The main thing is to remember the rule: the stronger the drink, the less capacity it needs. A glass - for vodka drinks, Madeira glass - for fortified, glasses or glasses for white and red wines, a glass or a glass - for champagne. Stronger drinks are served first, then in ascending order. The wine glasses are two-thirds full.
About children
Etiquette is also important, because kids should also be able to behave correctly in society. However, it should be said that the rules for them will be lighter and more restrained than for adults. And no one should pay attention to the mistakes of the kids at the table special attention. However, a mother or other parent should quietly make a remark to the baby, teaching him the right behavior. What is the most important thing for children when behaving at the table? It is important that the kids know that at the table you can not talk loudly, laugh, shout. You can not talk with a full mouth, it is ugly and even harmful to the process of eating. Also, you can not champ and smack, it is unacceptable. It is necessary for the child to be told how to properly handle the napkin: it should be used to wipe dirty lips and hands, and when not needed, it should be on your knees. Also, the baby needs to be told that there are dishes that you can eat with your hands, and those for which you need to use cutlery. So, for example, french fries, shrimp, fish sticks can be taken with your hands without problems, you can also grab a cauliflower inflorescence. But this ends the list of products that are taken without appliances. For unknown reasons, babies love to eat spaghetti with their hands, but this is ugly and wrong. The kid needs to be told about this. Children should also remember that they need to stay at the table until everyone has eaten. And, of course, it is important to say “thank you” to the hosts who served. In the case of a meal in a restaurant, “thank you” is said to the head waiter. If etiquette at the table is too hard science for the crumbs, pictures can be a great help in learning. You just need to show the baby a few video tutorials or characteristic pictures, and everything will become clearer to him.
Learning how to use cutlery is not difficult at all.
Main- learn how to use them for their intended purpose.
Sitting at the table, pay attention to how it is served.
A large number of devices should not make you shy or embarrassed.
If you do not know how to use this or that cutlery, look at how others do it.
How to use cutlery correctly:
Those devices that lie to the right of your plate are kept while eating right hand, and those that lie on the left, with the left hand.
Dessert devices, located with handles to the right, are taken with the right hand, and located with handles to the left, with the left hand.
Passing cutlery to any of the guests sitting at the table, hold him by the middle.
When using a knife and fork while eating, hold them horizontally above the plate.
Keep the knife in your right hand until the end of the meal - even in those moments when you use only a fork.
You can not first cut the dish with a knife, and then use only a fork.
You should not put food with a knife on a fork, they only slightly correct what you take with a fork.
If several forks are served, start eating the one that is farthest from the plate.
Soup and other liquid dishes are eaten with a spoon and held in the right hand. If a soup or other liquid dish is served in a cup, it is also eaten with a spoon, and only a small amount of unhot broth can be drunk.
After finishing the meal, the spoon, knife and fork are not leaned against the edge of the plate and are not placed on the tablecloth - they are placed on the plate.
How to eat certain foods
Many people often have questions about how to properly eat certain foods served at the common table. As in most other cases, if you do not know what to do, be careful and learn etiquette from others.
Remember the basic rules:
Sausages are eaten with a knife and fork, cut into pieces.
Vinaigrette, scrambled eggs, vermicelli and pasta are eaten with a fork (you can help yourself with a piece of bread).
sliced sausages and the cheese is placed on a plate with a special fork and eaten, cut off piece by piece, with a knife and fork.
Rice is eaten with a fork rice porridge- with a spoon.
Vegetables are not cut.
Boiled potatoes are crushed with the edge of a fork. Do not cut it with a knife or stick it on a fork.
Compotes, ice cream, creams and jellies are served in small bowls, put on a pie plate and eaten with a dessert or teaspoon. It is impossible to drink compote from a bowl, as from a cup. After eating, the spoon must be put on a plate, and not left in a bowl.
A slice of watermelon with a peel is taken from a common plate by hand. It is eaten with a knife and fork in small pieces, freeing each cut piece from the seeds.
A slice of melon peeled from seeds with a peel is placed on a plate with the crust down. Cut off the pulp with a knife from the peel and eat with a fork, cutting off a small piece.
A piece of biscuit cake and biscuit cakes are eaten on their own plate with a teaspoon. Sand and puff cakes and pastries are usually eaten with a knife and fork. The hard almond cake is eaten by holding it with the fingers and biting into small pieces.
Cookies and waffles are taken by hand and eaten, breaking off small pieces.
Table etiquette is easy to master. To do this, read about how to properly hold the fork and knife, in what order to use them as the dishes are served.
You go to a restaurant where you have to follow the rules table etiquette. Otherwise, you risk getting into an awkward position. The simplest and most reliable way is to observe those people who are fluent in this knowledge.
But, if you have never eaten with a knife and fork, then simply looking at it will not help much. After all, you need to confidently and correctly hold the fork and knife in your hands. And this is only possible with some practice.
Today we will deal with this. To begin with, we will learn how to hold cutlery, and we will also learn how to eat using them at home. It's never too late to learn these basics!
So, modern rules table etiquette .
- We hold the knife in the right hand, and the fork in the left. We remember that the main knife in this duet, and the fork will be an assistant.
- Dining etiquette prescribes to keep the fork in the left hand at all times. At the same time, her teeth should be directed downwards, and the end of her handle rested on the palm of her left hand.
- In the case when we use only a fork, we hold it in our right hand with the teeth down.
- At the same time, all cutlery should be held only by the upper third of the handle, and in no case by the blade of a knife, not by the tines of a fork or the arch of a spoon.
- All cutlery: knives or forks, should be to the right of the plate. Take them and hold them with your right hand while eating.
- Respectively, devices located to the left of the plate are taken with the left hand.
- If the dessert cutlery lies on the table with the handles to the right, they must be taken with the right hand. Those that are located with the handles to the left - with the left hand.
- If you want to get drunk or take a break from eating, then the fork and knife should be placed on the plate / \ like this, and not leaned against it. Fork tines up.
- Chicken with small bones (wings) and fish are eaten with the hands.
How to properly hold a fork, knife, spoon.
How to properly hold a knife
1. The index finger should lie on the handle and thus press on the blade of the knife.
2. The end of the knife handle should rest directly on the palm of your right hand.
3. In this case, the thumb and middle fingers will hold the beginning of the knife handle by the sides, and the index finger should be on the top surface of the beginning of the handle.
4. With the index finger, the knife handle is pressed down when cutting off the desired piece of food.
5. Bend the remaining fingers towards the palm.
How not to hold a knife
1. The knife cannot be held like a pencil between the index finger and thumb.
2. The knife should never be directed towards the mouth.
How to hold a fork correctly: 3 ways to use it.
Option 1 - Knife and fork:
1. The fork should be held in the left hand with the prongs down.
2. The end of her handle should rest a little on the palm.
3. At the same time, the thumb and middle finger should grab the fork by its edge, and the index finger should be on top, pressing the fork handle down.
4. The remaining fingers should be slightly bent and pressed freely against the palm.
5. The fork should always be directed towards the mouth so that it forms a horizontal line. The most optimal position is to tilt it down a little.
In the photo, the fork is in the left hand with the prongs down.
How to eat with a fork:
1. To keep a piece of food on a fork or send it into your mouth with it, you need to keep your index finger on the handle, slightly pressing it down. The thumb and middle finger are used for balance.
2. Want pick up a side dish? In this case, place it on the prongs and then turn the fork. The fork handle should remain between your thumb and forefinger.
3. Need break something with a fork? It turns with an edge and by pressing the food breaks.
4. Need chop hard piece on the fork tines? She turns straight, and by pressing her fingers the desired piece is pricked on her.
5. The fork can be used as a spoon picking up small food from the plate over the tines of the fork.
6. While eating the fork with the knife must be held at an angle to the dish. Otherwise, you risk dropping them along with the food.
7. In case when food cannot be pierced into cloves, for example, side dishes ( mashed potatoes, cereals, salads, etc.), the fork can be used as a spoon, as if scooping up food from below. In this case, the cloves of the fork should be turned upside down. In this position, the fork should lie with the flat part of the handle on the middle finger, hold the fork handle on top with the thumb, and with the index finger on its side. When food cannot be taken from the plate with only one fork, it is allowed to help her with a knife, holding it in her right hand.
How not to use a fork:
1. A fork, like a knife, should never be held like a pencil.
2. Never fill the tines of a fork with food. Since, it will fall or you will have to open your mouth wide.
3. It is unacceptable to hold the fork in a clenched fist.
4. Do not try to prick food with it.
Option 2 - a fork like a spoon:
1. Small pieces of food and some side dishes for fish or meat (mashed potatoes, for example) cannot be eaten with a fork. In such cases, it can be used as a spoon.
2. You need to turn the fork with the teeth up so that the flat part of the beginning of the handle of your fork lies on your middle finger.
3. The handle itself should rest with its end against the base of the index finger.
4. With the index finger itself, hold the fork on its side, and on top - with a thumb.
5. The remaining fingers are again pressed to the palm. In this case, food is picked up with a fork, helping if necessary with the tip of a knife.
Option 3 - fork in the right hand.
In the case when the dish can be cut into pieces without the use of a knife, only a fork is served, which is held with the right hand.
How to hold a spoon
1. The spoon is held in the right hand.
2. The handle of the spoon is held between the thumb and forefinger.
3. The end of its handle lies at the base of the index finger, and its beginning lies on the middle one.
4. With the thumb, the spoon is pressed against the middle finger from above, and with the index finger, it adheres to the side.
5. Can be used to stir hot drinks to cool them down.
6. For stirring, do 1-2 turns gently.
Spoon Mistakes:
1. Overflowing the spoon entails pouring the soup onto the plate. Can drip on the chest or on the tablecloth.
2. Rumble with a spoon while stirring the liquid.
3. Very active stirring of the drink.
How to properly use a knife and fork according to table etiquette when eating certain dishes and products.
When you can or cannot use cutlery: fork and knife.
Bread.
You can't cut bread at the table with a knife. This is bad tone.
That's right - it's breaking off small pieces from it.
Ham or large pieces of meat.
Fish.
It should never be cut with a knife.
An exception is if marinated herring or hard smoked fish is served on the table in the form of fish.
Special cutlery is served with the fish dish: a fork and a special spatula for separating the bones, or just two table forks.
How to use a fork and a special spatula:
the fork is taken in the left hand and used directly for eating, and the spatula in the right.
How to use two simple forks:
instead of a spatula, the second fork performs exactly the same function.
Crabs and crayfish.
Fork and knife cannot be used. Sometimes it is allowed to use an ordinary fork to extract meat from crayfish, sea mollusks or crabs. In all other cases, a special plug will be served, which will be much more convenient to use.
Poultry meat.
You are allowed to use a knife and fork.
Green lettuce leaves.
You can't cut with a knife. For these purposes, it is better to use a fork.
To the right of your plate you will find knives, depending on the menu, in the following order, a large dinner knife, a fish knife, a small snack knife. If you order soup, then between the snack knife and the fish knife you will be put a tablespoon with the convex side down.
Rule Two
To the left of the plate you will find the forks (convex side down): closer to the plate, a large dinner fork, then a fish fork, and finally a small appetizer fork. By the way, you will good example companions, if you use cutlery in accordance with their location: starting from the extreme ones and ending with those that are next to the plate.
Rule Three
If you stop using the device (knife, fork, spoon), then put it on the edge of the plate, but not on the tablecloth. In this case, the knife should rest on the right edge of the plate, where, according to experts, it interferes least of all with you and your neighbor at the table.
Rule Four (Completely Mandatory)
If there is a pause in the meal, put the cutlery on the plate crosswise - the knife with the tip to the left, the fork with the convex part up - so that the knife handle is located like a clock hand pointing to the number "5", and the fork handle - to the number " 7". The crossing point should be on the teeth of the fork and a third of the knife.
At the end of the feast, put both devices on a plate parallel to each other, their handles should "show at five o'clock."
Rule Five
If dessert is supposed to be served, then you will see a spoon for it just above the plate with the handle to the right or next to it on a saucer - if the dessert is served in portions. The fork for dessert will be placed in the same place, only with the handle to the left.
The last and most important rule
Of course, what a feast is complete without wine!
The glasses stand next to the plate, closer to the middle of the table, parallel to its length or arc, starting to the left of the largest in size. Or they are arranged in two rows so that the large ones do not cover the smaller ones. Having understood which vessel is intended for a particular drink, you will simultaneously find out what its maximum dose is - or, if you like, optimal - for a single "use".
After you have firmly mastered these far from simple truths, it would not be bad to remember again which device is intended for what.
Festive etiquette rules
Although many foreigners give credit national dishes of our country, in catering for a foreign delegation, it is desirable to take into account the peculiarities national cuisine guests, their culinary tastes; habits. Most foreigners prefer a light breakfast. In many countries it usually consists of fruit juice, butter, muffins, coffee or tea. Sour cream, soft-boiled eggs, and ham are also served for breakfast. Such a breakfast is usually called European.
In England, USA, France, Latin America, Canada, the second meal (during our lunch) is called lunch (second breakfast). It differs from the usual lunch in the absence of first courses in the menu and includes appetizers, main courses, dessert, and ends with coffee or tea. The third meal - lunch (during our dinner) includes an appetizer, soup, main courses, dessert and also ends with tea or coffee.
Most foreigners eat soups in small (250-300 g) portions, they prefer broths, pureed soups with finely chopped products. Bread to the table must be served with wheat and rye, and for guests from Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Korea, Arab countries - wheat.
Sometimes, instead of wheat bread, toast is served. Many foreigners prefer to drink mineral and fruit water or ordinary boiled water with ice during breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the same time, the Mongols, Japanese, Koreans, for the most part, do not drink mineral water.
The hosts will show their courtesy by knowing the products and dishes from them, which, due to religious prejudices and national traditions, are not recommended to be offered to representatives of certain nations.
First of all, this applies to pork for Muslims and beef for foreigners who profess Hinduism. Residents of the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Denmark, Norway do not like lamb dishes.
Hungarians don't eat jelly; Romanians - sauces; the British - boiled sausages, pancakes, dumplings; Koreans - broths; Swedes, Danes, Norwegians - cottage cheese dishes. Koreans should not be served rice, even though rice is an important part of their diet. This is due to the fact that rice processing in our country is completely different than in Korea.
There will be nothing reprehensible if the organizers of the visit ask the guests about their culinary preferences in advance.
The history of business and table etiquette in Russia and abroad
The regulation of human behavior and communication permeates the entire human history. Without compliance with certain norms or regulations, it is impossible to build political, economic, cultural and family relationships, because we cannot exist without considering each other, without imposing certain obligations on ourselves.
Etiquette is a set of norms, rules for people to communicate with each other, the behavior of each individual person in society - in the social environment where he lives, with whose members he interacts.
The history of the development of business etiquette and its transformation over time can be traced through the monuments of literature and culture. Knowledge of the history of business etiquette is also important for our time, since many modern rules of conduct originate in the distant past and often originally had a completely different meaning. Some etiquette norms of the past have changed almost beyond recognition, while others simply disappeared along with the conditions that gave rise to them, but one way or another, all the accepted rituals of behavior left their mark on the development of Western European culture.
The word "etiquette" was first used in its modern sense at a reception at the court of King Louis XIV of France (1638-1715), when cards (labels) were handed out to guests outlining how they should behave, but the very existence of codes of a certain order of behavior for people much older.
This is evidenced by the cultural monuments of ancient Egypt that have survived to this day with its complex system palace relations and extensive diplomatic ties, and the Sumerian kingdom with its numerous records on clay tablets, in which all more or less significant events were recorded, including the transfer of items necessary for a temple exchange, or the procedures for presenting gifts intended for a deity.
Since ancient times, chroniclers, philosophers, writers and poets have given numerous recommendations regarding the behavior of a person at the table. IN Ancient Egypt in the III millennium BC. e. one of the popular manuscripts was a collection of good advice "Teachings of Kochemni".
In the collection, in the form of recommendations from the father to the sons, the need to practically teach young people the rules of decency and exemplary behavior in society was explained. Even then, the Egyptians considered it necessary to use cutlery, as well as the ability to eat beautifully, silently.
Such behavior was regarded as a great dignity and a necessary component of culture.
The monument of Old Norse literature "Edda" also tells in detail about the rules of conduct at the table. For example, for pronouncing toasts, the Business Etiquette, and violation of these rules led to a fine. We also borrowed from the Scandinavians the rule of giving places of honor at the table to women and the most respected guests.
The first written diplomatic treaty was concluded in 1278 BC. e. between the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II and the Hittite king Hattushil III.
