Indeed, it can arise, since in modern restaurants and cafes the table is far from always served in advance in anticipation of guests. If all the appliances are prepared, and you sit down at the table, where everything is already laid out, then the fork will definitely lie with the cloves up.
But if you came to a cafe or just waited for your turn at a table, then it often happens that the waiter cleaned the place just before you took it. Of course, he didn't have time for the table, perfectly placing the forks and spoons in the right place.
The fork is supposed to be held lightly, with the help of the index finger and thumb, slightly pressing it against the half-bent middle one.
In this case, the cutlery is often brought wrapped in a napkin. This is a sign that the fork is perfectly clean, and you can be sure that your meal is hygienic. If the fork is wrapped in a napkin, then it can be placed either upside down or down. Usually they are not visible at all, one can only guess from the outlines of the bundle where the teeth are. It turns out that putting the fork with its teeth down on the table is permissible only in one case: if it is served wrapped in a napkin.
Fork use
The fork is usually used as the main utensil for most dishes, with the exception of soups, and the spoon and knife act as auxiliary ones. But sometimes the plug also acts as an auxiliary device. For example, if you need to cut off a piece of meat, then take the fork in your left hand (in your right hand if you are left-handed, and in the future, all recommendations for left-handers should be vice versa), and the knife in your right. Then cut off a piece without spreading your elbows to the sides.
Further, you should also proceed according to American or European styles. The American way implies that you will still be the right hand. Put the knife on the edge of the plate, and then take the fork in your right hand, bring it to your mouth with the teeth up. In the European way, you can either continue to grip the knife in your right hand or not, but you will have to eat with your left hand. The fork, at the same time, is held with the tines down.
In the simplest case, the fork is placed to the left of the plate, and the spoon and knife are placed to the right.
If you break away from food for a conversation, then you can’t put a fork on the table, according to etiquette. And here it is just important whether you will hold it up or down with the teeth. There are two styles: American and Continental, or European. In American-style etiquette, the fork is held with the tines up, and in the case of European standards, the tines down.
Until you have finished the dish, it is not customary to put the fork on the table or on the plate. But if for some reason you still want to put the fork aside and finish eating later, then you can’t put the dirty appliance on the tablecloth. It is placed on the edge of the plate, diagonally. The direction of the teeth in this case is not important. If you want the waiter to replace your plate and cutlery, then put them on the edge of the plate in parallel so that, if you imagine the plate as a dial, the handles would be in the area of the number 4.
The main rule of upbringing, etiquette is a properly and beautifully laid table. Most people have questions about how the appliances should be laid out. Our article will help you understand everything.
The main principles of arranging dishes and appliances
In modern society, there are several general table setting rules. These include the following recommendations:
- Arrangement of devices should be convenient and expedient. This is necessary so that everything you need is nearby and the hostess does not have to go for things.
- Each device has its location and purpose. Similarly, it is customary to put spoons and knives with a sharp edge towards the dish and on the right side, and the spoon and fork should be on the table with the concave side.
- It is customary to place a plate of snacks opposite the chair. Behind a plate of snacks, glasses are placed near the device. The wine on the table should be opened. Fruit is not served prior to arrival.
- Crockery and tableware should be uniform. You also need to know that napkins, both paper and fabric, must be present.
- It is necessary that the dishes and all utensils for the festive celebration be clean and tidy. There should not be any chips or stains on it.
- It is necessary to treat the table setting with cutlery responsibly. Usually housewives use sets, that is, sets of dishes. Mandatory utensils include a fish spatula, a cake shovel, a lemon fork, a butter knife, and lemon or sugar tongs. On the table should be a tablecloth, napkins and a towel.
What tablecloth should be on the table when receiving guests?
For a celebration, a white look of fabric is especially suitable. It can accommodate dishes of any color and all kinds of flowers. On such a table there may be roses, porcelain dishes and crystal glasses. This atmosphere is very suitable for celebrating a wedding celebration.
To give a fresh look to your table, you can use a pink or greenish tablecloth with white patterns. For a delicate aroma, you can put vases with spring flowers, such as lilies of the valley or daffodils.
To create a summer mood, a yellow tablecloth with patterns of yellow or white undertones will look good on the table.
For the autumn season, an ocher or olive fabric is well suited, on which deep plates of fruit and bouquets with yellow leaves can be placed.
The choice of napkins when setting the table with cutlery
Handkerchief and lips are an integral part of the arrangement of devices. It helps keep it clean. A beautiful linen napkin will also be a decor item.
Serving professionals offer a considerable amount. But you should choose a method in which, after unwrapping, it will not be mint.
At breakfast or a dinner feast, as a rule, napkins appear folded in four, just in half or in the form of a triangle. For the sake of a gala dinner or lunch, they can be served in a more complex form, such as a cap or a candle.
Ready napkins should lie on plates for snacks. It is considered possible to exchange linen shawls for ordinary paper ones. There is nothing reprehensible in this.
The process of using a napkin
At the sight of a scarf for hands and lips on a snack plate, some of the guests are embarrassed and remove it to the edge of the table. This should not be done, because her calling is to help the guest during the meal.
A beautifully folded, clean, ironed napkin is a decorative item on the table. But its main purpose is not to stain a suit or evening dress. With the help of a napkin, they also wipe their lips and hands in the process of eating and after it.
Before you start eating, unfold the napkin and put it on your knees. Putting a napkin behind the collar or using it as a "bib" as with younger children is considered extremely indecent.
If your hands get dirty while eating, then they should be gently wiped with the near half of the handkerchief, while not lifting it from your knees.
To wipe your lips, you need to take a napkin with both hands, fold it in half, press it to your lips with point movements. Wiping your lips with a sweeping motion is the height of bad manners.
What should not be done at the table?
It is strictly forbidden to use a napkin as a handkerchief or a towel for very dirty hands. It is considered ugly behavior when a guest closely examines the tableware and, seeing a speck, tries to wipe it off with a handkerchief. Thus, the hosts will consider this act offensive, and the guest - doubting their cleanliness and tidiness.
After all the food is eaten, you do not need to fold the napkin in the same way as before, but you just need to put it on the right side of your dishes. The handkerchief should not be placed on the seat of a chair or hung on its back.
What should a snack table look like?
Plates for snacks are placed in advance. Salad bowls and gravy boats should be placed on snack dishes so that their handles are turned to the left. There should be a teaspoon in front of the salad bowl. The salad should have a tablespoon to serve. Bread is served on a special plate.
For a cold dish, it is necessary to provide a butter knife and fork. In this case, utensils such as plates and a knife for snacks, gravy boats, teaspoons, large round plates, forks are used.
Tables where there will be only cold appetizers are usually served with chinaware. Near each plate there should be a fork, a tablespoon, a knife. They should be positioned in such a way that the guest can take the device in his right hand, and the fish fork in his left. The knife is located on the patty plate on the right side, looking at the blade to the left side. At this point, the utensils used will be as follows: large plates, a salad bowl, forks and knives for snacks, a fork for fish, knives for fish.
Table setting for hot snacks
Hot snacks when setting the table with cutlery are displayed in the utensils in which they are made. Food utensils are located in a snack dish, which is covered with paper napkins.
Snacks that are served in small pots are eaten with special utensils, and snacks in a frying pan are eaten with forks or teaspoons. Dishes with food are positioned so that its handle is on the left side of the guest, and the handle of the dessert spoon should look to the right. In this table setting, the utensils are appetizer knives and dessert spoons; the main utensils are small pots and pans.
What should be the location of the soup table?
The broth or the first in the form of a puree soup is placed in special cups that stand on small plates. The soup spoon is located on a small plate or on the right side of it. The table knife and fork serve as serving broth serving devices. Sour cream is given in a gravy boat, located on a plate, on which there is also a dessert spoon. It is located on the left side. In this case, the following utensils are used: bouillon cups, deep plates, table knives, soup spoons, dessert spoons.
What should be on the table for cold drinks?
On a plate, as a rule, there is a container with a cold drink or juice. On the right side there is a straw for guests. Ice is served in a salad bowl located on a plate. In this situation, the used utensils and tableware are glasses, cups, ice tongs, a jug.
What should be the table for hot drinks?
Coffee or cocoa is offered in special cups, sugar in a sugar bowl, milk in a milk jug. Jam is served in a bowl, located on a plate, on which lies a dessert spoon.
In a cezve with an elongated handle, it is located on the right side of the plate along with a dessert spoon. On the left side can be a glass of cool water.
On the right side of the guest, as a rule, there is cream in a bowl. Glasses are usually served in a glass. Here it should be on a plate, on which lie a small spoon and straws. The cutlery and utensils used for this table are bowls, milk jug, glasses, teaspoons.
How should the tea table be set?
In the case when tea is served in cups or glasses with saucers, there should be a teapot with tea leaves and a larger teapot with hot boiled water on the table, sugar in pieces in a bowl with tweezers. The handle of the glass should be on the left side, and on the saucer the teaspoon should be handled on the right side. Jam from berries or fruits, linden or flower honey, jam are usually on the left side of the guest.
The lemon is served in a bowl or in a tray with a two-pronged dessert fork designed to lay it out. A vase with lemon is placed on the right side of the guest. A jug of milk is placed on a plate, usually on the right side.
As a result of all that has been said, when serving this, there are such devices and utensils as tea cups with saucers, glasses, a small teapot for tea leaves, a large kettle for boiling water, a jug, a bowl, a dessert spoon.
(90663) - Zhanna Abdugalimova, 01.12.2007
Each of us has many important meetings in life, on the results of which a lot depends. What to do if you decide to hold such a dinner party in your house or apartment. After all, if the guests are important and the solution of certain issues depends on them, then you want everything to be at the “top”, strictly in accordance with the canons of etiquette. And while the next dish is being prepared in the oven, we spread an elegant tablecloth on the table and proceed to arrange the cutlery so that it is no worse, and even better, than in the most expensive restaurant. You can arrange beautifully cutlery on the table just for your loved one, thus making a surprise and emphasizing the importance of this moment in your life.
Cutlery on the table should be arranged in accordance with the diagram.
1 - a plate for bread, 2 - napkin, 3 - small fork for snacks, 4 - fork for fish dishes, 5 - a large dinner fork for meat dishes, 6 - snack plate 7 - platter, 8 - a large dinner knife for meat dishes, 9 - fish knife 10 - soup spoon 11 - small knife for snacks, 12 - dessert spoon, 13 - dessert fork, 14 - a glass for strong alcoholic drinks served with a snack, 15 - a glass for dry white wine served with fish dishes, 16 - a glass for dry red wine served with meat dishes, 17 - a glass of champagne served with dessert, 18 - glass for mineral water
According to the number of guests, dummy plates are placed on the table, and eateries are placed on them. Napkins folded in a triangle, cap or otherwise, are placed on plates.
Knives are placed with the tip to the plate.
Forks are placed with the convex side down.
Cutlery is used in accordance with their location - starting with the extreme and ending with those that are next to the plate.
The knife and fork are held so that the fingers do not touch the blade or the teeth. If you stop using the appliance from time to time, then put it only on the edge of the plate, but not on the tablecloth. If you only used a fork, then the knife should rest on the right edge of the plate, where it interferes the least.
If there is a pause in the meal (but the feast is not over yet), the device is placed on the plate cross on the cross - 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 at five o'clock, and the fork handle - at seven o'clock. The crossing point should be on the teeth of the fork and a third of the knife. You can put the fork and knife with the handle on the table, and the other end on the plate. At the end of the meal, both devices are placed on a plate parallel to each other, their handles "show at five o'clock."
Glasses are served next to the plate, closer to the middle of the table, parallel to its length or an arc, starting to the left of the largest in size. Or glasses are placed in two rows so that large glasses do not cover smaller ones.
Plates with cut even slices of bread are placed in different parts of the table so that all guests can easily reach it. Bread taken from common plates is placed on bread plates, which are located to the left of the front plates.
Salt shakers and other devices for spices are arranged at the rate of one device for three to four people.
Various cold snacks on dishes and plates are evenly spaced on the table so that it is easy for guests to get them.
At least once in a lifetime, each of us has come across such a thing as table decoration, whether it is preparing for a home feast or going to a restaurant where dishes are supplemented with several appliances on the tables. In fact, there are not many rules that you need to know for proper serving. Before you understand how to properly lay out cutlery, you need to consider the dishes that will be served on the table. As a rule, plates, cups, glasses, glasses, spoons, forks and knives are placed on the table. You should start with plates, which you will then cover with other items. But let's deal with everything in order.
A few simple rules
Everything you need in the first place should be located closest to make it convenient to take. And even if a ten-course menu is planned, this does not mean that the guest should have a whole mountain of dishes and all kinds of appliances in front of him:
- Cutlery and utensils are always arranged in the order of serving dishes, according to what you are going to use first.
- Cutlery is arranged so as not to get confused in their use: the fork and knife are placed with the main dish, and the dessert spoon is to the right behind the plate.
- Always look at the blade of the knife towards the dishes.
- The glass of water is above the knife.
- The forks are located on the left side.
- The spoons are always to the right of the knives.
- When serving wine, a matching glass should be placed behind the knife on the right. In the case of serving several different drinks, the rest of the glasses are placed there.
- Bread dishes are always served with Italian dishes.
- Spaghetti is eaten with a fork and spoon, and the butter knife is placed in the bread plate.
- If the menu includes serving soup, then a spoon for it is placed between the diner and the fish knife.
- If there is no fish dish on the menu, then a spoon can be put instead of a fish knife.
- In order to make it convenient to use any object, the ends of the handles along with the dishes should be placed two centimeters from the end of the table.
Basic table setting
Many people use the basic design in order to correctly lay out the cutlery on the table during a home dinner or lunch, when there is no need for a large number of different serving items.
Basic service includes:
- A plate.
- Fork.
- Spoon.
- Napkin.
- Glass for water.
Informal table setting
If you are planning a friendly brunch or just an informal gathering of friends and family, you can set the table in an informal manner.
In this case, the serving might look like this:
- The napkin is located in the place where the plate with the main course will then be placed.
- The dining and snack fork is located to the left of the plate in the order in which the dishes are planned to be served.
- Dessert, tablespoon and knife are placed to the right of the plate, and, in the following order: knife, dessert spoon and, at the end, a tablespoon.
- Dishes for snacks are placed to the left of the forks.
- A pie plate and a butter knife are placed above the forks.
- A glass of wine, a glass of water and a cup of coffee or tea are placed above the appliances on the right.
Formal table setting
This table decoration is more suitable for a holiday or some serious events. Let's imagine that you plan to serve the main course, fish, soup and oysters.
Important! Do not forget that all utensils and cutlery are arranged in the order in which the dishes will be served.
Your serving will look like this:
- The appetizer fork, fish fork, and dinner fork are placed in that order to the left of the plate.
- The soup plate is placed on the plate in which you will be served the second course.
- The oyster fork is located to the right of the plate from the very edge (only this fork is placed to the right).
- Further, as you approach the dishes: a tablespoon, a fish knife, a table knife.
- Dishes for pies and a butter knife are placed on the left above the forks.
- Glasses of red and white wine, a glass of water are placed above the appliances on the right.
Important! At the end of dinner or lunch, the table is set to a proper standard for dessert, tea or coffee.
materials
In addition to the basic rules on how to properly lay out cutlery, you should also be aware of the materials from which they are made. Let's look at them in detail:
- Wooden - used for trips to nature, but not for daily use. Wooden products absorb moisture, are short-lived, and it is not very convenient to use them.
- Aluminum - were common before. Today there are disputes about the dangers of aluminum, but be that as it may, such objects too quickly lose their color, shape, and are also fragile.
- Stainless steel is one of the most popular. They are made of medical stainless steel, which does not react chemically with acids, salts and alkalis.
Important! As a rule, “18/10” stainless steel is used, containing 18% chromium and 10% nickel.
- Cupronickel - this material is an alloy of nickel, copper and manganese. Such items ceased to be produced in the 50s. Today, similar products are made from nickel silver (it is softer and contains zinc) - they are coated with gold, silver or blackened.
Important! As a rule, on the reverse side of such products there is an MNC marking.
- Silver - very expensive, are a source of pride. The devices themselves are quite heavy, so it cannot be said that it is very convenient to use them every day.
Important! At the end of the serving, there is an arrangement of flower vases, sets with various spices and other decorative elements. Pepper and salt should be placed in the middle of the table - they should be placed on special stands. It is also allowed to put bottles with sauces, vinegar and vegetable oil.
footage
Now you are ready not only to conveniently and beautifully decorate the festive table, but also to surprise your loved ones with a pleasant serving at ordinary everyday dinners.
Table setting is a sign of good manners and hospitality of the hostess, so it is very important that the set table abounds not only with delicious and steaming dishes, but also with beautiful elements, correctly laid out knives and forks.
This fascinating, and certainly creative activity will be discussed in this article. Here you will find recommendations for the correct layout of cutlery, as well as a photo of serving in different styles and colors.
At the table, they did not just eat food prepared in advance, people talked, shared news and their thoughts. As a result, such a concept as table setting was born.
The correct and beautiful arrangement of cutlery and dishes gave the festive table a special look, and with the advent of the first rules of table etiquette, proper table setting has become an integral part of any feast.
Moreover, in normal home conditions, it's not even about etiquette. In fact, it’s just nice when order and a special atmosphere reign on the table.
But let's get down to the basic rules that will help you decorate the holiday table.
What you need to know about table setting
First of all, make sure that all utensils and cutlery are clean. To do this, first, without exception, all devices should be wiped with a warm and damp towel, and then polished dry with a dry one. Make sure there are no water stains on cutlery and crockery.
The tablecloth must be carefully ironed. Its edges should hang from the table by 25-30 centimeters, so that the corners hide the table legs a little. Many housewives, in fear for the tablecloth, cover it with oilcloth on top, however, according to the rules of table setting and etiquette, this is unacceptable if you receive guests.The number of cutlery on the table at each plate in different situations may be different. It all depends on the dishes that will be served during the meal.
Well, the last "golden" rule - the location and type of devices for each guest should be completely the same.
Proper table setting
Take a look at the following image:
The photo shows a classic table setting according to European etiquette. In the picture, as an example, all types of cutlery are laid out. Of course, you most likely won’t need the whole “set”, so looking at this picture, you can place the appliances in the same way, but leaving only the necessary on the table (depending on the dishes).
For example, for an ordinary classic Russian dinner, it is enough to leave a pie plate for bread and butter, a spoon for the first course, a fork for the main course, a table knife, a decorative and soup plate, a glass of water. In each case, something may change, for example, if there is a dessert on the dinner menu, it is worth adding the appropriate appliances to the table.Types of napkins and their location
Napkins are one of the most important accessories on the festive table. There are two main types of napkins - fabric and paper. Cloth napkins (large in size) are usually designed to be placed on the guest's lap (to prevent food from getting on clothes).
Paper napkins are usually used directly for eating, and they should be located in the center of the table, so that they are accessible to everyone. If the table is large, place the napkins in several places so that everyone at the table has direct access to them.
By the way, napkins can be placed on the table both in an ordinary napkin holder, and making original figures from them. Below in the figure, you can see the four most common variants of napkin figurines. As you can see in the photo, a beautiful table setting largely depends on the appearance of the napkins and their color.
By the way, if the feast does not involve a first course, then a beautifully folded napkin should be placed on the plate of each guest, but remember that in this case all napkins should be the same, and in the center of the table there must be a supply of them at the rate of 2-3 napkins per guest .
Table setting - photo with examples
Above in the photo, you saw the classic version of the table setting, but it is absolutely not necessary to strictly follow these rules if more interesting ideas are born in your head. You can decorate the table in completely different ways, the main thing is that the main appliances are located in the right places, and the rest is at the discretion of the hostess.
Separately, we note such a holiday as the New Year. Everyone's favorite feasts can be not only tasty, but also beautiful.
Let's take a look at a few more successful options in the photo:
As you can see in these photos, table setting is quite an individual and creative activity. And although the rules are the same everywhere, it is worth trying to “play” with the colors of napkins, dishes and tablecloths. Sometimes this gives an amazing effect.
