Even the smallest representative of our society knows that he “should behave” in a certain manner at the table. What can and cannot be done while eating is laid down by parents in early childhood. Rules of behavior at the table for children begin with playing “being adults”, gradually moving meals to regular moments, and becoming the norm of behavior.
Table etiquette– this is not only a cultural coloring of the eating process. By observing the rules of table manners, the main life tasks are solved:
- Digestion improves;
- The admission process becomes easier;
- Hygiene rules are observed;
- Preventing accidents at the table.
History and culture of food
The rules of behavior at the table probably appeared before the table itself. They were not invented by the communists in their unique organization of schools and kindergartens. The first mentions of table etiquette appeared in ancient world. There is mention of this in the texts of the ancient Sumerians. They say that a person must be highly moral and comply with ethical standards- this is what is given to man by the gods and distinguishes people from animals. Failure to comply with the rules of behavior, according to the ancient Sumerians, leads to negativity in his life.
Eating is the most important process. He was always surrounded by all sorts of rituals and rules, strictly regulating who, when, where, what he eats. The first rules were inseparably connected with the family hierarchy, the organization of everyday life, the method of cooking, and even with the food itself. Breaking the rules while eating was considered something unforgivable, shameful, and was condemned (and sometimes punished) at all times, in any culture. Life and a person’s way of life changed, and the rules changed along with it. Family rituals made room and gave way to food culture and aesthetics. Table manners are increasingly based on secular ethics, rather than on religious and national traditions. 
Why do we need table rules?
Compliance with rules and etiquette at the table is not the prerogative of a certain social group of people. It has nothing to do with the level of income or social status families. " We are from simple people, from workers. Why do we need all these tablecloths, napkins, forks and knives? Why does my child need all this?» - teachers kindergarten sometimes you hear something like this. It is important to understand that the culture of nutrition and behavior is not whims, not the desire to “show off” in front of others. The fact is that following certain rules of etiquette at the table makes sense and has specific benefits for children. Let's look at some of them:
- Washing your hands before eating protects the body from pathogenic bacteria entering with food;
- Setting the table using a clean tablecloth and disposable napkins protects food from coming into contact with the surface of the dining table;
- The requirement to “not fidget” and not talk while eating is to prevent serious incidents at the table (the child may choke);
- The request to “take your time,” sit up straight and chew your food thoroughly is nothing more than helping the stomach digest what you eat quickly and easily;
- A napkin placed on your knee (or chest) will protect your clothes from getting dirty.
- You can sit down at a spontaneously organized table without hosts in any order,how convenient it is for the participants of the feast. Before sitting down, ask your companions which seat is preferable for them. If you are expecting guests, leave the most comfortable place for them.
- At a pre-arranged table you shouldn't sit down until you are invited to it by the owners or staff. At small dinner parties, your seat can be found by using a name card placed as part of a cover on the table. If there are no cards, wait until the host/hostess of the event shows you your seat.
- At a large formal event the beginning of the feast is announced to all guests. As a rule, at the entrance to the banquet hall, you can inquire about which table your name is assigned to on the seating plan, and then find your place at the table, guided by the inscriptions on the cards. If they are not there, this means spontaneous seating.
- At social feasts, ladies sit first, then gentlemen. They approach the chair from the left side. Helping a lady sit at the table by pulling out a chair for her is today at the discretion of the gentleman. This is not expected at business dinners. In secular contexts it is more appropriate.
- Ladies are recommended to sit on 2/3 of the seat, men – on 3/4: this position helps maintain posture. The optimal distance between your body and the table is two palms. This will allow you, as you should, to bring the device to your mouth without bending over the plate. Sit so that your hands, with your elbows bent, are placed exactly above the fork and knife.
”The posture of the back should be straight, but without stiffness. The ideal position - one that could be called an ``easy seat`` - resembles the back of a rider. And food should be brought up to the mouth, rather than the mouth down towards the food. – Vogue's Book of Etiquette
Rules of etiquette
How to avoid embarrassment at the table
Knowledge of table etiquette distinguishes a cultural, well-mannered person. To one degree or another, we were all taught good manners, but for some this concept includes the ability to beautifully and silently remove oysters from their shells, and for others it is simply the ability not to slurp at the table and take out a spoon
from the cup before drinking tea.
Of course, a positive attitude and a friendly smile are often more important than etiquette, but sometimes you still need to know the rules, especially if the guests include not only friends, but also potential partners, and this is not a family dinner, but an official reception.
And if you yourself are hosting guests, then you must know the rules of serving and combining various dishes and drinks.
Passion.ru will tell you about table etiquette and help you understand the variety of forks, spoons and knives, so that next time at a restaurant you can safely order more than just a salad. 
Table manners
1. You should sit upright at the table, under no circumstances
bending over the plate. Elbows are not placed on the table, although
women in this sense there is a slight exception - sometimes
It is acceptable to lean one arm on the table if you are tired
keep it suspended. 
2. At the very beginning, the napkin should be straightened and placed
on knees. Remember that a cloth napkin is not
designed for wiping lips - used for this purpose
paper napkins. Only at the end of the meal can you lightly
blot her lips, after which the napkin is left on
table, rather than being placed back on your lap.
3. If you are in a restaurant, he studies the menu and expresses his
the woman wishes first, and the order is made to the waiter
man.
4. You should not start the first treat until it is
offered to all guests.
5. You should take and give away plates to your right.
6. A man pours wine to a woman sitting on the right with his left.
hand, but if the bottle has just been opened, he must first
pour some for yourself.
7. Do not put food on a fork using a knife, but
Eating from a knife is generally unacceptable.
8. If you need to briefly interrupt your meal, then a fork and knife
placed on the plate crosswise or on both sides - but so,
so as not to stain the tablecloth. When you have finished eating, the knife and
the fork should be placed together at an angle so that they
It showed about 11 o'clock.
9. If there is little soup left in the plate, tilt it away from you and
scoop up the leftovers with a spoon.
10. Perhaps the biggest embarrassment at the table is to impose
eating from shared utensils with your own fork or spoon. Do not be shy
ask the hostess or waiter to bring another one for this
device if you forgot to put it nearby.
11. Try to eat the entire dish from your plate so that
do not offend the hostess. However, under no circumstances should you collect
leftover food with a piece of bread.
12. If you drop something on the table or spill a drink, take
napkin and gently blot the liquid with it or, if it was
something loose, collect the crumbs on it. If you got dirty
clothes, then also try not to attract unnecessary
attention, it is better to discreetly wipe it with a handkerchief.
13. Try not to talk too loudly, don't
turn your whole body towards your neighbor and not talk to anyone
across the entire table. By the way, stretching across the entire table is also not accepted -
if you want to try any dish, then you need
ask him to pass you the person who sits closer
to him.
14. When getting up from the table, do not forget to thank for the treat,
do not criticize dishes and do not give your advice on them
cooking is impolite.
Arrangement of cutlery and glasses
When setting the table at home, we most often use a minimum of plates
and cutlery, but when you come to the restaurant, there may be them there
significantly more, especially if several are expected
change of dishes.
This diagram shows an approximate location
cutlery - of course, some details in different places
may differ, but general principle is saved. 
Forks are placed to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons are placed to the right.
To avoid getting tangled up in forks, remember that when changing dishes
they are usually used from left to right, that is, starting from the most
extreme and end with the one closest to the plate.
Typically, the rightmost fork is for meat, and the leftmost fork is
for snacks. You can also navigate by size: the most
large knife and fork - for meat.
1. Butter knife
2. Pie plate - for bread and butter
3. Spoon (for first course)
4. Fork for seafood (cold appetizers)
5. Knife for seafood (snacks)
6. Fork for meat and salads
7. Table knife
8. Decorative plate
9. Soup bowl
10. Dessert spoon
11. Dessert fork
12. Water glass
13. Champagne glass
14. Glass for strong drinks
15. Napkin
Glasses and drinks
“What drink to offer with meat, what glass to pour into
wine?" - such questions often worry the hostess, to whom
guests must come. This diagram will help you understand
various types glasses and glasses and make the right choice. 
1. White wine glass
2. Cocktail glass
3. Red wine glass 
1. Glass for port, Madeira, sherry and dessert wines
2. Champagne glass
3. Glass for cognac and brandy 
1. Armagnac glass
2. Tasting glass
3. Vodka glass
4. Champagne glass
Basic rules for pairing food and drinks:
White wines are served with appetizers, chicken, fish,
boiled veal, cheese, seafood.
Red wine is served with lamb, beef, veal,
game, pork, spicy cheeses.
Vodka and whiskey go well with salty and spicy dishes.
Beer goes well with salted fish, cheese,
meat dishes.
Dessert wines, liqueurs, champagne are appropriate with
fruits and desserts.
Cognac, rum and liqueur are often served with coffee or tea.
Learning to eat correctly
If you don't know how to eat a particular dish, just
Observe the hostess or other guests. A
we will tell you about some products that can
require special attention.
Fish is eaten with a fork and fish knife, and
knife in in this case not used for cutting,
and for separating fish from bones. Although in some cases
the fish is still cut - if it is, for example, smoked eel
or salmon. Instead of a knife, you can also use a second
using a fork is an English tradition, and there it is even considered
It's bad form to use a knife to fish dishes.
If you come across a fish bone, don't spit it out.
it, and try to carefully move it using
lips and tongue onto a fork, and then transfer to the edge
dishes. If the seeds are small, then it is permissible to take
their fingers.
Cut the meat with a knife, prick a piece on a fork and
eat immediately. It is not customary to cut it into pieces and only
then eat. You should start cutting from the edge farthest from you.
Pancakes, omelettes, stuffed vegetables eat the same way
meat, cutting off pieces with a knife.
Lobster is cut with a special knife: cut
in half, remove the contents of the abdomen, break
the central part and eat with a fork.
Crab and crayfish meat is eaten with hands, and shell plates
remove by hand or with a knife.
Mussels are served in shells. When eating, use special
tweezers for opening shells and a special fork.
Oysters are usually served alive in closed shells.
which are opened with a fork.
Artichokes are eaten boiled, dipped in melted water.
oil. The leaves are torn off with your hands, starting from the bottom, and with your teeth.
remove the pulp. The core can be eaten with a knife and fork.
It is customary to spit out olive pits into
fist and place it on the edge of the plate.
For spaghetti use a fork and a spoon - a little spaghetti
wrap it around a fork, holding it with a spoon, and then use it
carefully trim so that nothing hangs from the fork.
Apples and pears are cut into slices with a knife, and the slices
take it with your hands.
The avocado is divided into halves, the pit is removed, and
The pulp is eaten with a dessert spoon.
The grapes are picked from the bunch, placed on your plate and
They eat one berry at a time.
Pieces of watermelon and melon are eaten either with a dessert spoon or
using a knife and fork.
Pineapple, served in slices with peel, is eaten with a fork, cutting
pieces with a knife.
It is correct to eat a banana with a dessert fork or spoon,
after removing the peel.
Oksana NISCHUK
Knowledge of the basic rules of behavior in society and table etiquette is not only an indicator general culture secretary, but also his professionalism. We will talk about the basic rules of table etiquette in this article.
From the article you will learn:
Ethical problems of our time: table etiquette
Once upon a time, table etiquette, the rules of behavior at a common table, were a separate subject that was mandatory when receiving general education. Every literate person received ideas about the ethics of behavior in society, the basics of interaction in society already at the stage homeschooling or using everyday examples.
Today, the rules of decency and good manners, unfortunately, are not familiar to everyone, but society’s interest in etiquette culture in Lately increased significantly. This is explained by the intensification of business communication, in which etiquette is an indicator of general culture and a universal tool that levels out the objective difference in the mentalities of all interacting parties. In addition, observing table etiquette and rules for using cutlery is a demonstration of respect both for others and for oneself. Modern man, living in society must be able to behave aesthetically at the table.
This skill is important even at the everyday level, what can we say about business meetings, which sometimes take place in a restaurant, in the form of a business dinner, or within the walls of the company hosting the delegation in the form of a buffet table. That is why the lack of knowledge in the field of table etiquette business people strive to make up for it by turning to various “canteen and business etiquette", studying popular publications and encyclopedias about the rules of behavior. Many companies order similar training courses for their employees, especially those who take part in negotiations and represent the company at status events.
Table etiquette: cutlery
With all the variety of cutlery that can be seen on the table before dishes are served, figuring out how to use them and what they are intended for is quite simple. Aesthetics and functionality are the principles that define the dining room etiquette, cutlery are tools that will help you look decent at the table.
In accordance with the rules of etiquette, cutlery in a restaurant will be placed as shown in the figure.
In the center of the composition there is a decorative plate, which, as a rule, is not used for food - it is used as a stand for plates for soup and hot dishes. To the left of the decorative plate are forks, to the right are a soup spoon and knives intended for salad, meat and fish. The napkin can stand on a decorative plate or it can be placed on the left, next to the forks. According to etiquette, in a restaurant, cutlery intended for dessert, tea or coffee is placed in the center, above a decorative plate.
Table etiquette requires that cutlery be placed in the order in which the dishes will be served. At the same time, if appetizers are served first, the utensils lying on the extreme left and right are used for them. right side, located farthest from the decorative plate. When soup is included in the menu, there will be a spoon for it on the far right. In order not to confuse anything, carefully read the arrangement of devices, which is presented in the upper figure and try to remember it.
Cutlery for fish dishes
Deserves special mention rules of etiquette and cutlery intended for fish dishes. A knife intended for fish is most often blunt and more like a spatula in shape. They do not cut fish with it, but simply separate it into fibers and pieces. A fish fork has fewer cloves than one intended for meat - only three or four. And they are shorter than those of a “meat” fork.
Cups and saucers for coffee and tea are most often served later, along with drinks at the end of the meal, but in some cases they are placed on the table immediately; this will not be considered a violation of the rules of table etiquette.
Drink glasses can be placed on the right or in the center. Since the waiter will most likely pour them, you don’t have to worry about confusing the purpose of each of them. But just in case, you should know that glasses for different alcoholic drinks all have different shapes.
Table etiquette: eating cutlery after meals
Dining room etiquette suggests that after eating, cutlery should be placed on the plate in a certain way - this is a sign to the waiter that you have finished eating this dish and the plate can be taken away or replaced.
There are certain rules for interacting with the waiter using the arrangement of cutlery on the plate. So, if the fork and knife are placed at an angle to each other, this means that you have taken a break from the meal and will return to it a little later. Cutlery placed crosswise on a plate is also a signal to the waiter that it is too early to remove them. According to etiquette, cutlery placed parallel to each other on the plate after a meal lets the wait staff know that your meal is complete.
How to use cutlery according to etiquette
And, of course, it is important not only to know how the cutlery is located, but also how to use it correctly in accordance with the rules of the table etiquette. The main requirements include:
No traces of food or, preferably, traces of lipstick should be left on the glasses;
When using a knife or fork, make sure that your fingers do not touch either the blade of the knife or the tines of the fork;
used or unnecessary cutlery should not be placed on the tablecloth - they should be placed on the edge of the plate;
if a dish is served that is not eaten with a knife, the knife should be placed resting on the right edge of the plate so that it does not interfere with your use of the fork.
How not to violate table etiquette by using cutlery incorrectly
Bread is never cut with a knife or a fork is used to take it from a common dish. Pieces of bread are taken from it by hand, carefully, trying not to touch the rest. After this, the bread is placed on a special plate and eaten, breaking off pieces with your hand. Sandwiches cannot be made from sliced bread - sausage and ham are placed on a plate and eaten by cutting with a knife and eating with bread. The same applies to pates - they are eaten with a fork. It is only allowed to spread butter on a small piece of bread to eat, for example, caviar placed on a plate.
When eating soup, there is no need to tilt the plate to eat everything without leaving a trace. According to the rules of table etiquette, there should be some soup left at the bottom. The spoon is left in the plate after the soup is eaten.
In accordance with rules of etiquette, in a restaurant, cutlery is not used if the broth is served in special cups. A spoon can only be used when you need to remove and eat an egg or crouton from the broth.
Fish on a plate is usually cut with a special fork. The knife is served only when the fish is specially prepared and has a dense consistency, such as lightly salted or pickled herring. In some cases, two forks are served with the fish - one of them holds the main piece, the second one is used to separate the bones and smaller pieces that need to be eaten.
Previously, table etiquette allowed that poultry could be eaten with hands. Now forks and meat knives are used for this.
When eating meat, the pieces are cut off one at a time, rather than immediately cutting the main piece into pieces. In this case, until the dish is eaten, the fork and knife are not released from the hands. Dishes prepared from minced meat are eaten without a knife, holding a fork in the right hand. Natural cutlets, as well as Kiev cutlets, are eaten like regular meat, cutting off a piece with a knife.
For spaghetti, use a fork and spoon. Using a fork, roll up a portion of pasta and use a spoon to cut it off from the rest.
Table etiquette: rules of behavior at the table
A relaxed atmosphere and a glass of wine are not at all a reason to relax, especially when the dinner is of a business nature. At the table during the meal, according to the rules table etiquette, you must sit straight, not leaning back in your chair and not leaning your chest on the table. Elbows can only be placed on the table during a change of dishes; you should not cross your legs while eating.
The napkin is used only to protect clothes from stains. During dinner, she should lie on her lap; there is no need to tuck her into her collar. You should also not use a napkin to wipe sweat from your forehead or fix leaking makeup. If a napkin falls to the floor, do not pick it up - ask the waiter to bring a new one.
Of course, we should not forget that the dinner or meeting is of a business nature, and alcohol abuse. It will be enough to drink one or two glasses of light wine during the evening. If alcohol is in this moment If you are contraindicated for medical reasons, there is no need to notify those present that you are “on a diet” or undergoing treatment. Table etiquette does not allow discussion of such issues.
Note! At the table, you are not allowed to correct your hair or makeup, much less use a comb. There is a toilet room for this purpose.
Don't gobble up food, even when you're very hungry. Eat at a measured pace, neither fast nor slow. You should turn off your phone or, if you are waiting for an important call, put it on silent mode. The device should not lie on the table. All telephone conversations should be conducted outside the table, coming out from behind it, apologizing to those present.
Participate in the conversation - a meeting in a restaurant, even if it is a business meeting, requires some informality of communication and freedom of expression. But in conversation you should adhere to the rules of table etiquette. Topics of conversation should be neutral - in no case should you take part in conversations related to politics or religion.
Listen to what those around the table are saying. If a topic is close to you, take part in its discussion. Demonstrate your interest in what the interlocutor is talking about, show him signs of attention and respect.
Knowledge of simple but mandatory rules table etiquette will help you adequately represent the company even outside its walls. These rules should be followed automatically so that you can always feel confident in any, even the most pretentious, environment. But remember that they should not interfere or constrain you - use them as a tool for establishing communication.
The image of a modern successful person includes many details. One of them is the ability to behave in society and observe table manners. This way you will show yourself as a well-mannered and intelligent person.
What it is?
The history of ethics is very long. Some more cave people they knew how to behave beautifully and tried to teach this to others. Etiquette standards have been formed over time and improved each time. Now this science teaches us correct behavior at the table.
Small details immediately catch the eye and can spoil the first impression of a person, so it would be useful to refresh your memory of already known rules of etiquette or learn new ones. Experts recommend teaching children the ability to handle cutlery and set the table from the most early years, especially since modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of safe, bright and beautiful forks and spoons. It is believed that this skill should be practiced not only at a party or in a restaurant, but also at home.
Ethics must be present at every meal. This way you will better understand its fundamentals, norms and regulations.
Let's consider the basic rules that relate to table setting and cultural behavior at the table.
How to behave at the table?
Eating is one of those basic processes that inevitably accompanies people throughout their lives. During business lunches, partners come to an agreement and sign important contracts. None festive event is not complete without a buffet or a grand feast. The family feels the strongest unity at the table, since over a plate of food you can discuss all the problems and rejoice at the successes of your household. Having lunch or dinner together brings people together and improves the quality of communication.
It is much more pleasant to deal with a person who follows the rules of etiquette, does not cause inconvenience to others, and eats quietly and carefully. It's never too late to correct mistakes in your behavior and become a more cultured person.
Behavior rules
Let's take a closer look at the features of cultural behavior during meals.
First of all, you should pay attention to the manner of sitting on a chair. A person’s posture speaks not only about the ability to behave in society, but also about habits and character. A confident person always sits with a straight back and takes up most of the seating area., his posture is casual and relaxed. This is the body position that is most appropriate at the table.
When positioned at the table, the hands are placed on the edge of the table, and the elbows are slightly pressed to the body. A slight forward lean is allowed for ease of eating.
There is a little trick to learning how to sit correctly at the table. To do this, etiquette experts recommend holding two small books to your body with your elbows. This simple exercise will help you remember the correct position of your body and arms during a meal.
When eating, you need to be quiet and careful. Cutlery should not be placed far from the face. A person should eat calmly and slowly, chewing each piece of food thoroughly with his mouth closed. Smacking, slurping, slurping or making other sounds is prohibited. And you definitely shouldn’t talk with your mouth full, as it looks extremely unsightly.
If the dish is very hot, you should wait until it cools down. There is no need to blow loudly on a dish or spoon, otherwise it may show the person’s bad manners. This is especially true for girls and schoolchildren.
There are a number simple rules, by performing which you can learn the correct behavior during a meal:
- The distance from the body to the edge of the table should be such that the person sitting does not experience discomfort.
- Elbows and personal items, such as a wallet, keys or cosmetic bag, should not be placed on the table. This is considered bad manners.
- Don't reach across the table for food. Just ask the person nearby to pass you the plate or salt shaker you need, and then politely thank them for their help.
- To keep clothes in pure form You can use a special textile napkin, which is placed on your knees before starting a meal. Small children are allowed to tuck a napkin into their collar.
- Products from shared dishes should be taken using the utensils designed for this purpose. The only exceptions are sugar, cookies and fruits.
Often lunch or dinner takes place in a restaurant. For such a case, there are special etiquette recommendations:
- The man lets his companion pass first. He must open the door for her, take her outerwear, and pull up a chair. If the company consists of both women and men, then the meeting takes on a more informal character.
- If several people gather, those delayed will wait no more than 15 minutes. Then the meal begins regardless of whether those who arrived late arrived or not. The person who was delayed apologizes to all the dinner participants and joins the meal. At the same time, it is not necessary to attract the attention of everyone sitting at the table and try to explain the reason for being late.
- When both men and women participate in a dinner, choosing the menu and ordering dishes usually falls on the shoulders of the stronger sex. He can offer his companion certain dishes and order them if she receives consent.
- In a good manner It is considered to start eating only when the dishes have been brought to everyone present at the table. At the same time, those waiting can invite others to start eating even when their dishes are not yet ready.
- You should not demonstratively look at and smell the dishes, carefully examine each ingredient and comment on the composition. It looks indecent.
- The bones should be carefully spat out onto a fork or spoon and placed on the edge of the plate.
No one is immune from awkward situations. For example, if the cutlery fell on the floor, you can ask the waiter to bring a clean set. If an object accidentally breaks, do not panic. Typically in such cases the cost of the damaged property will be added to the invoice.
Etiquette prohibits doing the following things in a restaurant:
- Carry out hygiene procedures while sitting at the table. It is recommended to comb your hair, correct your makeup, and wipe your face or neck with napkins in the restroom. It is also not customary to leave traces of cosmetics on dishes. It is better to blot your lips with a napkin before starting your meal to avoid lipstick marks on the glass.
- Blow noisily on a dish or drink. It is recommended to wait until it cools down and then start eating.
- Call the wait staff loudly, knock on the glass, or snap your fingers. This looks extremely uncivilized.
- Take food from a shared plate using personal cutlery. Common serving forks and spoons are used for this.
Table etiquette is very important. Knowing all its basic tenets, you will be able to make a good impression on others.
Rules for children's behavior at the table
As noted earlier, children should be taught etiquette from a very early age. Children learn quickly new information, and the learning process can easily be turned into a game. First of all, the child must be taught to wash his hands before each meal. At first, the parents themselves set an example and help the child, and then this action will become automatic.
The child should be seated at a common table with all adults so that he gets used to the company. There are special high chairs that will allow the baby to sit on the same level as adults and feel like a full member of the family. During lunch, it is not recommended to turn on the TV, which will distract from the process of eating.
You can tuck a textile napkin into the collar. It will prevent pieces of food and drinks from getting on your clothes. Special plastic forks and knives have been invented for small children. They do not have sharp blades or teeth, so the child will not injure himself, and the bright colors will attract interest.
You should sit straight at the table, you should not sway in your chair and disturb others sitting at the table. Screaming and loud conversations are not allowed.
An important point In the process of teaching a child good manners at the table, there is a ban on playing with food. It is necessary to explain to children that such behavior is unacceptable and that food should not be smeared on the table.
After eating, you need to thank the hostess for the delicious dinner and ask permission to leave the table. One way to teach your child proper table setting is to involve him in the process of setting the table. Let your baby help arrange the plates and cutlery.
The most important thing is to be patient and not raise your voice. Perhaps the baby will not understand the rules that are unusual for him the first time, but you should not give up and be nervous. The example of other family members will help the child adapt faster and behave correctly.
Features in different countries
Rules of behavior at the table different countries the world are somewhat different from the ones we are used to. Some moments may be completely unusual and exotic for Russia. Let's find out what tourists should pay attention to in order to avoid uncomfortable situations:
- In Japan and Korea, as you know, they eat with the help of special chopsticks. During a meal, they should be placed parallel to the edge of the table or on special stands. But sticking chopsticks into rice is strictly not recommended, as this is a symbol of a funeral.
- On the table in Brazilian establishments Catering there is a special token, colored green and red on both sides. The green side indicates that the visitor wants more food to be brought to him. And it often happens that the waiter brings new dishes almost without a break. To limit hospitality service personnel, you should turn the token to the red side.
- Georgia famous for its wine. It is not surprising that this drink accompanies almost every meal. Tourists should remember that during a feast it is customary to drink the wine completely after each speech given.
- In India and England It is not recommended to eat with the left hand, as in traditional Indian religion this hand is considered unclean. This rule also applies to handshakes and handing over documents.
- Coffee lovers should be careful in Italy, since in this country it is not customary to drink cappuccino after noon. Locals It is believed that this may have a bad effect on digestion. Another interesting fact: In Italy they do not add Parmesan to pizza or pasta. French etiquette is somewhat similar to Italian.
- Tourists traveling in China, fish is often ordered in restaurants. When choosing a dish like this, you should remember that you cannot turn the portion over. This is a bad omen, which means there is a high probability of the fisherman's boat crashing. After eating the top half of the portion, it would be better to first remove the backbone from the fish and only then continue with the meal.
Before traveling to any country, you should first of all become familiar with the basic accepted rules of etiquette. You need to respect foreign culture and try to avoid uncomfortable situations that may offend local residents.
Table setting
The table should always be properly set, regardless of whether it is a business lunch or a family dinner. This accustoms people to culture and gives the meal a solemn mood. The sight of neatly arranged plates and cutlery makes it much easier to adhere to table manners guidelines.
Exists great amount methods of table setting, which depend on the time of day, the nature of the event and many other factors.
For a classic table setting that is suitable for any occasion, you can use the following rules:
- There must be a tablecloth on the table. This will give even the most ordinary meal a festive and solemn mood. It is better if the tablecloth is a light shade. Dishes on such a canvas will look stylish. According to the rules, the tablecloth should hang no more than 30 cm from the edge of the table.
- Chairs should be placed with some space between them so that diners can sit comfortably and not touch their neighbors with their elbows.
- At a distance of approximately 2-3 cm from the edge, place a serving plate, which serves as a stand for everything else. Place a deeper bowl on top. Plates for bread and pies are located on the left. Soups and broths are served in a special soup plate or bowl.
- Cutlery is placed on napkins made from cellulose. They are selected to match the tablecloth. Cloth napkins are folded on a plate to protect clothing.
- To the right of the plate are those utensils that are held, respectively, in the right hand. Place the tablespoon so that the convex side is on the bottom. The knife should be with the cutting side facing the plate. The tines of the fork should face up. Place a dessert spoon on top of the plate.
- Some people prefer to drink water with their meals, so placing a glass of clean drinking water in front of the knife is a good idea. In addition to water, the glass can also contain juice, compote or other non-alcoholic drinks.
- Plates with shared dishes are placed in the center of the table. Cutlery for common use should be placed with them.
- Hot drinks are served in a special coffee pot, and the cups are immediately placed on the table. Place a small saucer under the cup and a teaspoon next to it.
- Sugar is poured into a sugar bowl. A serving spoon is served with it. Currently, sugar bowls with a dispenser are often used.
- All dishes must be perfectly clean, without chips or cracks.
Vases with fresh flowers placed in the center of the table also look very beautiful. They will become an additional decoration and give the table a festive look.
How to use the devices?
A person who comes to a restaurant for the first time may get confused large quantities various cutlery. The following rule will help you feel more confident: devices lying on left side from the plate, held only in the left hand. Usually these are forks different sizes. A similar rule applies to cutlery on the right - these can be spoons and table knives.
As an exception, you can take a fork in right hand, if it's on the plate crumbly garnish: rice, buckwheat, mashed potatoes. In other cases, a table knife can help you put food on your fork.
Sometimes serving includes the presence of several forks and knives at once. To avoid confusion, you can gradually replace cutlery while changing dishes, starting with those farthest from the plate and ending with those closest.
You can remember the following combinations of dishes and cutlery intended for them:
- dessert is eaten with a teaspoon or a special dessert spoon;
- tablespoons are intended for soups and broths;
- a fork in combination with a table knife is used for hot meat dishes;
- there is a special fish knife for fish;
- cold appetizers are usually eaten with a fork and a dinner knife;
- fruits may be eaten with your hands or with special cutlery.
Etiquette rules also determine how to properly hold cutlery in your hand:
- The spoon should be placed in your hand so that thumb ended up on the top of the handle. The broth should be scooped away from you to avoid the possibility of drops getting on your clothes. If there is soup with pieces of meat on the table, you should first eat the liquid broth and then cut the meat using cutlery.
- It is recommended to hold the fork so that your fingers are further from the base. In this case, you can hold it either with the teeth down or up. It depends on the type of dish served.
- When using a table knife, the fork is held strictly in the left hand, and the knife in the right. At the same time, you can help yourself index fingers, they will more accurately direct the pressure of the device.
- The knife can be used to spread butter or pate on a piece of bread. Do not pick up pieces of food from the knife or lick the blade.
- When using a meat knife, remember not to cut the entire portion at once. You need to gradually cut off small pieces and eat them.