How to behave decently at the table in different situations. Rules for the behavior of children at the table

Master4ef

The rules of good manners at the table are instilled in us from early childhood. Knowing how to behave during a meal gives us self-confidence and the opportunity to show our best in society.

Norms and prohibitions in behavior while eating

Most importantly, never talk with your mouth full. Not only does this look unaesthetic, but it also prevents you from expressing your opinion clearly.
No need to try to bite as much as possible at a time. With a mouthful of food, you will not only look ugly, but also make you look like an ill-mannered person.
It is also better to forget about the habit of biting bread. Bakery products you need to break off in small portions and put in your mouth.
It is also important to remember that a meat dish does not need to be cut all at once. Only after eating one piece, you can cut off the next one.
You can use your hands for poultry dishes if you hold a knife and fork with them.
Fish bones also need to be pulled out with a fork. In rare cases, you can do it by hand. After that, they need to be wiped with a napkin, and not licked, as ill-mannered people do.
Garnishes can be pricked on a fork, helping yourself with a piece of bread.
If the dish is made from minced meat and they can be broken with a fork, then a knife can not be used.
Eating with a knife is not only dangerous (you can get hurt), but also extremely indecent.
Let us remind you once again of this important nuance like a fork in the left hand and a knife in the right. Even if you are so uncomfortable, it is worth practicing at home in advance. Confidence comes with practice.
Do not use a spoon if the dish can be eaten with a fork.
If you were served compote, then spitting bones from fruit directly into a plate is not the most best idea. To begin, bring the spoon close to your mouth to spit out the bone before placing it on your plate.
Do not show your greed and take the most big chunks. From a common plate, you should always take the piece that lies closest to you.
In order not to embarrass your table neighbors, do not move dirty dishes to them.
It is not customary to stretch across the entire table to the dish you like. Ask for it to be served to you.
Bad habits like smearing leftover sauce or drinking it off the plate are also off limits.
Always eat with your mouth closed to avoid making unpleasant sounds.
Dirty cutlery should not be placed on the tablecloth. Leave them on the plate.
Also, be careful not to send a tablespoon completely into your mouth.
In no case, at the end of the meal, you can not lick the spoon, and even more so the plate.
After you have stirred the sugar in the tea, the spoon should be removed from the cup.
When serving a dish, do not pick at it, trying to see what it consists of, do not sniff or look closely at it.
Even if you don't like the food at all, don't say it directly. It's best to refrain from commenting.
In order not to show disrespect to the rest of the people sitting at the table, sit up straight, do not cross your legs.

Rules for using napkins at the table

If the napkin is made of fabric, then its purpose is solely to protect clothing from contamination. I do not need to wipe the dishes with such a napkin, wipe my massive lips or hands.
There are paper napkins on the table to clean hands and lips.
After eating, a cloth napkin is left on the side near the plate. Paper put on a plate rolled up.

It should be borne in mind that you can sit down at the table only after the invitation of the hostess. The duty of men is to help all women by pulling back a chair for each. You also need to make sure that your back is always straight. Do not stretch your legs under the table, do not put your elbows on the table - all this will not have the best effect on your reputation.

How to use cutlery

The ability to use cutlery is an integral part of the correct behavior at the table.

If you still can’t remember the purpose of each of the devices, then use them in the order in which they are decomposed. Starting from the edges to the center.
In order to put yourself something from a common plate, you need to use those devices that lie near this dish.
When there is a change of dishes and a pause in the meal, the fork and knife are placed crosswise.
At the end of the meal, the cutlery is placed on the plate in parallel.

Proper table manners includes much more than the above points. It is important to know not only table etiquette and be able to use cutlery, but also to monitor your manners, behavior and ability to maintain a conversation.

Rules of behavior at the table for children

Each of us would do well to brush up on the rules of etiquette at the table, and perhaps even learn something new about how to behave while eating. The most important rules of etiquette that absolutely everyone should use.

Each of us notices when someone in a cafe at a nearby table eats carelessly or stealthily wipes his hands on his knees. In the same way, other people notice our mistakes, any behavior is conspicuous and can cause embarrassment. Therefore, it is better to check yourself and correct your own behavior if necessary.

How to behave at the table

General rules apply to any situation, they will never be superfluous. The first thing we pay attention to when we see a person is his posture. Posture characterizes not only the behavior or condition of a person, but also reveals the secrets of his character.

An insecure person will fidget nervously on the edge of a chair, a notorious person will try to slouch in order to become less noticeable. Sit up straight, but in a way that is comfortable for you. Hands can be placed on the edge of the table or on your knees, and it is better to press your elbows to your sides.

By the way, in order to learn to hold the elbows near the body in Soviet time I was advised to periodically train - to have lunch, holding a couple of weighty books to my elbows. This is necessary so that the correct bodily pattern is formed, and you keep your elbows flawlessly even when you don’t think about it at all.

The rules of table etiquette imply almost all situations that can happen to a person and give a clear recommendation on how to act in a given situation.

Naturally, table etiquette at home and restaurant etiquette are somewhat different, however, there are rules that are relevant in any situation:

do not speak too loudly;
do not take a fork or spoon with food too far from the mouth;
you can not make sounds while eating;
eat calmly, without undue haste.

Restaurant

The rules of conduct in a restaurant imply some composure - you need to behave correctly and with dignity in order to make a good impression on others.

A man must let the lady go first, but if a company of men or women goes to the restaurant, then everyone is on an equal footing or rely on the initiator of the dinner.
If several people are to meet at dinner, and someone is late, then, by mutual agreement with the rest of the guests, you can wait for those who are late for about a quarter of an hour. A longer wait is a sign of disrespect for guests who arrived on time.
If you happened to be late, then you should apologize, and then just join the others. You should not draw special attention to the fact of being late and explain the reason, just join in the table conversation.
During a meeting of a man and a woman in a restaurant, a man should read the menu and offer his companion any dishes. For a girl in this case, expressing her indifference is a sign of bad manners. Etiquette in a restaurant implies the participation of a lady in the choice of dishes.
In a restaurant, you should not conduct a conversation in raised tones and laugh out loud. If this happened by accident, it makes sense to apologize to other visitors and be quieter. Observe table etiquette, and if someone behaves inappropriately at the next table, then this should be reported to the waiter.
You need to start eating when the waiter brought out the ordered dishes to all those present. If a person who is waiting for his dish to be prepared does not mind, he can make an offer to others to start eating.
It is strictly forbidden to engage in hygiene procedures at the table - wipe your face, neck and hands with napkins, comb your hair or tint your lips. If you need to pay attention to your appearance, it is better to do it in a special room. Table etiquette also does not welcome traces of lipstick on dishes. Before you start eating, the girl should carefully remove the lipstick with a napkin.
Any interaction with food also looks uncivilized - food is on the table in order to eat it. Taking photos for Instagram, blowing on the soup, meticulously poking around in the salad, commenting on the ingredients - is indecent.
If you come across a cartilage or a bone in some dish, you need to carefully return the inedible element back to the spoon and move it to a plate (or napkin).

How to handle appliances

In no case should you check the cleanliness of the appliances, and if you still notice a cloudy spot on the fork or spoon, you need to quietly draw the attention of the waiter to this oversight and politely ask for a replacement.
In most restaurants, the table is set in advance, and cutlery is laid out on both sides of the serving plate.
Do not get lost if there are more dishes on the table than you expected to see - everything has its own purpose, and if you are in doubt about which fork or spoon you should take, you can always see how other guests solve this problem.
Those devices that lie on the left of the plate are used with the left hand, and those that are laid out on the right must be held in the right hand.
With complex serving, each dish relies on its own devices, so if you are in doubt which fork should be taken, take the far one - the one that is farthest from the edge of the plate. As you change dishes, you will gradually approach the nearest appliances.
The knife is used either for cutting food or for spreading pâtés and butter (for example, during breakfasts). You should not try pieces from a knife.
Cut meat or fish should be sequentially, as it is eaten. Cutting the whole portion at once is a bad form. It is generally accepted that this way the dish cools down faster and loses its main flavors.

Learn in advance a few differences between different cutlery, so as not to get into a mess.

Forks

second hot dishes are eaten with a table fork, it has four cloves, and in length it is slightly inferior to the diameter of the plate and is placed on the left;
a fish fork is used for hot fish dishes, looks smaller than a diner and has four short cloves, a fish fork is easy to recognize by its recesses - they are needed to separate the bones;
snack fork - a reduced duplicate of a table fork, they eat cold snacks with it;
dessert fork - for pies, small, corresponds to the size of a dessert plate and looks atypical;
a fruit fork equipped with two prongs, usually served with a fruit knife;
the remaining forks are considered auxiliary, they are placed next to the dish that they need to eat.

Knives

any second hot dishes are eaten with a table knife, it is placed to the right of the plate, the blade is turned to the plate;
a fish knife is blunt and resembles a spatula, used to separate the flesh of the fish from the bones;
the snack knife is small and has teeth;
dessert and fruit knife they look similar - they are the smallest.

spoons

a tablespoon - the largest, lies to the right of the plate;
a dessert spoon is served with a dessert that does not require cutting - soft puddings, jellies and whipped cream;
an ice cream spoon is served with a bowl;
the cocktail spoon has a very narrow and long handle;
a teaspoon can be served with any hot drink;
coffee spoon - the smallest, served only with black coffee.

Dialogue and table manners

Table etiquette includes not only the use of utensils, proper positioning and good posture, but also the manner in which dialogues and conversations are conducted.

It is worth noting that table etiquette categorically prohibits discussing provocative issues that can lead to a serious conflict - therefore, one should refrain from commenting on money, politics and religion.

How to behave at the table and what to say? Be sure to look at the person who is addressing you, listen without interrupting, and only then answer. If you think some questions of the interlocutor are inappropriate for a meal, delicately offer to discuss this a little later. In all other cases, the answer should be easy and unconstrained.

The rules of etiquette in a restaurant do not imply violent disputes either - refrain from inappropriate comments and lighten the mood with a cute joke if someone else raises their voice.

You should not talk only together, involve the rest of the participants in the meal. For example, if the conversation turned to a recent vacation, you can ask one of the interlocutors if he is going to go on vacation in the near future or what places he prefers to relax.

It is also good form in any table conversation to praise the host, chef or initiator of the meeting - find a few kind words to note the general atmosphere of the evening.

A short course in etiquette

Do what the majority does.
Don't point out to others their mistakes, in the last resort this can be said quietly in an undertone and only to your neighbor on the table.
Don't skip meals for too long.
Leaving the table - apologize.
Try everything and eat what you like.
At the common table they do not discuss diet, eating disorders, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and diet.

It is better to study some rules of behavior at the table by looking at the pictures - look at the basic table setting patterns, you can also watch the video on how to properly hold this or that device.

Table etiquette is not that difficult if you give it a little time, and following all the rules will help you present your best side.

tell friends

Agree, there has been a situation in everyone's life when you feel awkward at the table. This may be due to a certain society where you ended up, the situation, a huge number of appliances on the table. You just don't know where to start, how to sit, what is appropriate or inappropriate to say, how to get out of awkward situations. Remember the episode from the movie "Titanic", a simple guy Jack falls into a refined society, not knowing which fork to start with, he feels a little embarrassed. He asks the question - "Is all this for me?"

So, the correct behavior at the table speaks of the general cultural level of a person. Someone culture of behavior at the table and in society is instilled from childhood, someone simply does not know everything. Let's figure out together the rules of etiquette at the table, as well as how not to get confused in all this.

Etiquette rules exist to ensure that everyone present feels comfortable. Therefore, first of all, pay attention to your attitude to what is happening - be polite, include "magic words" in your speech - "thank you", "please", "I'm sorry", "I'm sorry", etc.

And if you try and follow the simple rules of behavior at the table at home, then this will definitely become a habit, and when you come to a restaurant, you will easily behave “as you should” without hesitation.

There are several basic rules of table etiquette:

You need to sit straight, do not stoop your back, do not bend over the plate, try to look at ease. It is not recommended to sit too far from the edge of the table or too close and rest your elbows on the table. By doing this, you can embarrass your neighbor. It is not supposed to reach across the table - the waiter can put the dish on the plate.
Always say the words "please" and "thank you."
When you sit down at the table, put a napkin on your knees.
Women are invited to the table first, men sit next.
If this is a festive event, being late is considered a manifestation of disrespect and your bad manners.
While eating, you can not put your elbows on the table - only the hands should lie on the table.
If food was brought to you earlier than others, wait until everyone has plates - only then can you start eating. You can start eating earlier than others only if the owners do not mind.
While eating, the fork must be held in the left hand, and the knife in the right, but if you ordered a dish that is eaten only with a fork, then hold it in your right hand. Do not take a fork, knife or spoon too close to the base.
You cannot take with a spoon what you can take with a fork.
You can take on a fork as much as it fits on it without falling off.
Pasta and others pasta eat, twisting with a fork and help with a spoon.
Dough products and bread must be carefully broken off and there are broken pieces, you can not cut bread or bite off.
If you suddenly drop any device, ask the waiter to bring you a new one, if you are at home, take or offer a clean device to the guest
Food should be chewed with the mouth closed. In no case do not slurp, even if it tastes sooo delicious to you.
Do not eat with a knife - this is a sign of bad taste.
If you pour yourself a drink from a common container, offer it to your interlocutors first, and then pour yourself.
If serving food from a common plate, bring your own plate and put as much as you can eat, don't forget about the guests, offer them a dish too.
You can tilt the bowl with the leftovers of the soup, but only away from you, but it is better to leave the soup a little undereaten.
It is necessary to cut off such a piece of food so that you can eat it at a time.
There are several taboos at the table: do not speak with a full mouth and do not drink drinks.
If a piece of food is accidentally stuck in your mouth, it is taken out with a fork and placed on a plate (it is desirable that no one sees).
During a conversation, you can’t hold a fork or a spoon with food on weight, especially swing it - eat it or put it on a plate.
Do not lean too far towards the plate, bring food to your mouth, if you drink tea or coffee, it is also necessary to bring the cup to your lips.
During or after a meal, cutlery should never be placed on the table - put them on a plate.
Cutlery is used in a certain order - starting from the extreme, moving closer to the plate.
If you are expecting a change of dishes and have stopped eating for now, cutlery must be placed crosswise (so that the sharp part of the knife looks to the left, and the fork with the convex side up).
When you have finished, cutlery must be placed on a plate parallel to each other.
In no case should you lean over another person, you cannot reach out - ask to be given this or that dish.
If you need to go out while eating, apologize to your interlocutor.

When should you apologize?

If you need to blow your nose at the table.
If you need to clear your throat at the table.
If you need to get out.
If you have a piece of food stuck in your tooth and need to use a toothpick or floss.
If you suddenly started to hiccup.
If you feel that you have become ill.
If you have problems with the intestines or digestion at the table.

How to use a napkin correctly?

Just sitting down at the table, you need to put a napkin on your lap.
If the napkin is large, fold it in half before placing it on your lap.
If the napkin is small, it must be fully unfolded.
If you need to go out, put the napkin on the table to the right of the plate, hiding the soiled spots on it. Do not put a napkin on a chair - you can accidentally sit on it and get dirty.
Put a napkin to the left of the plate if you have already eaten.
For small children, the napkin is tucked into the collar.

How to behave at the table?

Do not bite off large pieces, the pieces should be of such a size that you can easily carry on a conversation at the table.
You can't blow on hot food. Let the dish cool while you wash your hands or start a conversation.
Salt and pepper must be passed together, even if you were asked to pass only the salt.
If you are asked to pass something at the table, do not pass it directly into your hands, but put it on the table next to the interlocutor. If your interlocutor is sitting far from you, you do not need to reach across the entire table, ask the person sitting next to you to pass the dish further.
At the table, moderate your gestures so as not to inadvertently hurt your interlocutor or knock over food.
Put your phone or other gadget in your pocket before starting a meal - it is undesirable to put it on the table.
The waiter needs to leave a tip in the amount of 10-15% of the amount of your order (unless, of course, they are not included in the price of the dishes and this is how it is accepted in one place or another).

By remembering these simple rules of table etiquette, you can easily and comfortably feel anywhere and in any company. Enjoy your meal!

Today we will tell you something more serious than things from the series “don't put your elbows on the table” and “chew with your mouth closed”. Of course, without this, too, will not do: it's a classic. But I promise you, the set of rules will be divided and severe.

Why table manners matter

I remember I had etiquette classes at school. We learned to sit at the table, arrange the plates and everything. I don't know why we were taught this. Whomever I asked, everyone said that they did not have such a subject. But now I am pleased to participate in various official meals.

I understand that following a dinner protocol allows you to simultaneously relax, do everything right, not paying attention to your actions, and have fun. When you know the rules, you don't feel awkward and biased at the table, you don't have to ask stupid questions like "What to do about it?" series. You can just enjoy your meal.

Why you need to follow etiquette

When I began to periodically have the need to eat food in public places, I noticed that many do not have the slightest idea about the rules of behavior at the table. It surprised me so much that I don't even know how to express it. The rules of conduct at the table have been a given for me since my school days. We still eat three meals a day, and we need to do this in a way that does not make others depressed.

At least follow these four rules:

follow the owner of the house

If you do everything exactly like him, it will help you avoid embarrassment 95% of the time. It is not so difficult - to start eating when everyone starts, to use the same cutlery - this is already a guarantee of success. However, constantly staring at others is not the most pleasant option. So you can not relax and enjoy dinner.

Chew with your mouth closed and don't talk with your mouth full

Yes, this problem still exists. Some types chew without closing their mouth and showing its contents to others. If you need to say something, swallow what is in your mouth first. To always be ready for a conversation, do not stuff your mouth, let there be very little food in it - literally one bite. Gone are the days when people stuffed their mouths in order to quickly get enough. Your food won't run away from you

Bring food to your mouth, not your mouth to food

Do not lean towards the fork, and even more so towards the plate, scooping food into your mouth, almost like a scoop. Carrying food to your mouth is a distance of no more than 20 cm, it is easy to overcome it. Sit up straight, do not scoop too much food into a spoon or fork, and bring cutlery directly to your mouth. And never drink from a soup cup.

Say "thank you", "please" and "sorry"

These little words are truly magical and should be used freely.

The first rule of etiquette is to know who you are dining with and the seating of the guests.

You need to be prepared. If you were invited to an official reception, you need to find out how many people will be there and in general what to expect. Dress appropriately, decently, if it's a work meeting, it's important to look professional. This shows respect for the owner of the house, besides the impression made can be very important.

If you go to someone's house, bring some small present: flowers or a bottle of wine. If you're going out to dinner with a close friend, it's worth finding out how you can help. Maybe he will ask you to buy a cake for dessert or something like that. Arrive on time, but not earlier than ten minutes before the appointed time: final preparations are being made.

informal lunch

This means that there is no fixed time when a group of people should sit down at the table and start eating together. For example, picnics and barbecues: people come, eat and leave at any time. Here the rules of conduct at the table are much more relaxed, but there are a few points that you should pay attention to.

1. Get yourself a medium serving.

It is unpleasant to find that you are able to eat only half of the food that lies in front of you on a plate, and someone because of your zeal did not get some dish. You can take a supplement at any time: just in bulk, besides, it is always a compliment to the person who prepared everything.

2. Do not dip a piece twice in a common sauce

If you like it so much, put the sauce on your plate so you don't spread your germs.

3. Do not cut all the meat at once

If you have fried something really big, cut off pieces for yourself and everyone around you only once, then cut them off again. Otherwise, the meat will be dry.

4. Clean up after yourself

Any reasons needed?

Informal meeting at the table

You sit at the table, eat and communicate at the same time. Business meetings, Easter and Christmas dinners and things like that. There are already places for everyone. The main indication is this: all the pieces are arranged and laid out around the plate: forks on the left, spoons and knives on the right. They begin to use cutlery from the outside in: first you take the last cutlery, then the one next, and so on. A glass of water is usually larger than a glass of wine.

formal lunch

When you come to a formal dinner, you are required to wear a suit and, in many cases, a black tie. I will not go into too much detail: you can find this information on other sites. I'll just tell you, don't worry if you're invited. You can learn all the basics in practice in just half an hour. The picture is attached.

Napkin

The napkin is placed on the lap within the first minute after sitting down at the table to have lunch. No need to cling it to the corner of the shirt collar or tuck it into the belt. Just straighten it on your knees (you can only open half, usually this is enough). It will protect your pants from splashes and crumbs, and you can also use this cloth to wipe your mouth. When you have eaten or have to leave, place it neatly to the left of your plate.

When to start eating?

The safest and easiest answer is when others start. It is often not clear whether it is possible to eat: the hostess and her assistant are still in the kitchen, a couple of guests have gone away somewhere, and they cannot be called. In this case, if the hot meal has already been served and at least two people are left at the table, you can proceed. If the food was brought and everyone is sitting, and three or four people have already been served, you can also start (if you are, of course, more than four people. If less, wait until everyone is served). The main thing is never to eat alone, but hot food should be eaten while it is still hot.

If there is a tradition in the house to pray before eating, the owner of the house should read the prayer, and anyone can offer the initiative. The main thing is to declare this desire even before everything is served on the table and laid out on plates. Toasts can be made at any time the glasses are refilled and, with the exception of formal dinners, they can be made by anyone. Often guests make a toast to the host's hospitality.

Elbows, distant plates and table troubles

Elbows on the table, as you know, are best not to put, but there is nothing special if you put them on the table, communicating with someone during a meal break or over tea or coffee. Stretching is prohibited. If you can’t get a certain plate easily (you have to get up and reach for the dish) or it is in someone’s personal space, ask the nearest person to pass it to you. If something spills, first make sure that it stops pouring, and then ask the hostess to help you wipe it up. Then forget about the incident and enjoy your lunch.

What if you don't want something

If you just don't want to try it. You haven't tried a dish, how can you know if you'll like it? Always try a little of all the dishes on offer. Sometimes even the smallest piece is enough, let the rest remain on the plate - but the hostess will not be offended.

You are on a diet. Depending on the severity of the diet, you can warn the hostess in advance so that she can cook something for you personally. You can eat something before this dinner, so as not to be hungry and try a little of what you can.

You do not drink. Until recently, I didn't drink at all and had trouble at some dinners where I was still expected to drink alcohol. You can be persuaded and even almost forced. How to be? I will offer you a compromise: make a toast, take a sip, and then barely touch the liquid with your lips. This usually works. When people know that you basically don’t drink, after a while they stop pestering you with this question. Just be persistent, do not give in to persuasion, and everyone will fall behind.

How to say you're done

The best way- put the fork and knife across the plate, as if the hands of the clock show 4:20. The fork lies closer to you with the teeth up, the knife blade to the fork. This is the most convenient cutlery position for the waiter to remove the plate from the table without dropping anything.

Parting

Before leaving, thank all the owners of the house. If it was a big event (more than 30 people) and you urgently need to leave, and the hosts are talking to other guests somewhere in the thick of the crowd, you can leave in English and not say goodbye. In this case, it is better to ask a friend to say goodbye for you. However, within 24 hours, be sure to call the owners of the house and explain the reason for your hasty departure.

1. Have fun and have a couple of drinks, if you so desire, but do not get carried away too much, do not ruin the evening for the hosts. Often there is a dude at the party who went over and started arguing loudly with his girlfriend or making ambiguous jokes.

2. Connect with people. Listen to them, understand what they say, be careful. If during the last ten minutes you are the only one who spoke, then this is no longer a conversation, but a presentation.

3. Turn off your phone and enjoy the moment. Do not put it on silent mode: this way you will check it every five minutes and let others know that you have more important things to do. You can live one evening without twitter and instagram.

4. The best way to acquire good manners is through practice. Make them your habit. Teach them to your children and you will never fail.

The image of a modern successful person includes many details. One of them is the ability to stay in society and follow the rules of behavior at the table. Thus, you will prove yourself as a well-mannered and intelligent person.

What it is?

The history of ethics is very old. Some cavemen also knew how to behave beautifully and tried to teach others this. Etiquette norms were formed over time and each time improved. Now this science teaches us proper table manners.

Small details immediately catch your eye and can spoil the first impression of a person, so it would be useful to brush up on the already known rules of etiquette or learn new ones. Experts recommend accustoming children to the ability to handle cutlery and set the table from an early age, 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 a restaurant, but also at home.

Ethics must be present at every meal. So you better learn its basics, norms and prescriptions.

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 accompany people throughout their lives. During business lunches, partners come to an agreement and sign important contracts. No festive event is complete without a buffet table or a grand feast. At the table, the family feels the strongest unity, because over a plate of food you can discuss all the problems and rejoice at the successes of the household. Joint lunches or dinners bring people together and improve the quality of communication.

It is much more pleasant to deal with a person who observes the rules of etiquette, does not cause inconvenience to others, eats silently and carefully. It is never too late to correct mistakes in your behavior and become a more cultured person.

Rules of behavior

Let us consider in more detail the features of cultural behavior during the meal.

First of all, you should pay attention to the manner of sitting on a chair. The posture of a person speaks not only of the ability to keep oneself in society, but also of 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. It is this position of the body that is most appropriate at the table.

When located at the table, the brushes are placed on the edge of the table, and the elbows are slightly pressed against the body. A slight forward tilt is allowed for the convenience of eating.

There is a little trick on how to learn the correct landing at the table. To do this, etiquette experts recommend pressing two small books to the body with the help of elbows. This simple exercise will help you remember the correct position of the body and hands during the meal.

When eating, you need to be quiet and careful. Cutlery should not be taken away from the face. A person should eat calmly and slowly, carefully chewing each piece of food with his mouth closed. It is forbidden to smack, sip, champ or make other sounds. And certainly you should not talk with a full mouth, as it looks extremely ugly.

If the dish is very hot, you should wait until it cools down. No need to blow loudly on a dish or spoon, otherwise it may show a person’s bad manners. This is especially true for girls and schoolchildren.

There are a number simple rules, performing which you can learn the correct behavior during the meal:

The distance from the body to the edge of the table should be such that the seated person does not experience discomfort.
Do not put your elbows on the table, as well as personal items, such as a wallet, keys or a cosmetic bag. This is considered bad manners.
Do not reach for food across the entire table. Just ask the person next to you to pass you the right plate or salt shaker, and then politely thank you for the help.
To keep clothes in pure form you can use a special textile napkin, which is placed on your knees before the start of the meal. Small children are allowed to tuck the napkin into the collar.
Products from common dishes should be taken with devices intended for this. The only exceptions are sugar, cookies and fruits.

Often lunch or dinner is held in a restaurant. For this case, there are special recommendations on etiquette:

The man lets his companion pass first. He must open the door for her, take outer clothing, move a chair. If the company consists of both women and men, then the meeting takes on a more informal character.
In the event that several people gather, those who are late wait no more than 15 minutes. Then the meal begins, regardless of whether the latecomers came or not. The delayed person himself apologizes to all the participants in the dinner 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.
With the participation of men and women in the dinner, the choice of the menu and the order of dishes usually falls on the shoulders of the stronger sex. He can offer his companion certain dishes and order them in case of obtaining consent.
It is considered good form to start eating only when the dishes have been brought to everyone at the table. At the same time, those who are waiting can invite the rest to start the meal even when their dishes are not yet ready.
You should not defiantly look at and smell the dishes, carefully consider each ingredient and comment on the composition. It looks indecent.
The bones should be carefully spit out onto a fork or spoon and placed on the edge of the plate.

Nobody is immune to awkward situations. For example, if cutlery has fallen on the floor, you can ask the waiter to bring a clean set. If an object accidentally crashes, do not panic. Usually in such cases, the value of the damaged property is added to the bill.

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 makeup, wipe your face or neck with napkins in the restroom. It is also not customary to leave traces of cosmetics on the dishes. It is better to blot your lips with a napkin before starting a 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.
Loudly call the attendants, knock on a glass or snap your fingers. It looks extremely uncultured.
Take food from a common plate with personal cutlery. For this, common serving forks and spoons are used.

Table etiquette is very important. Knowing all its basic postulates, you can make a good impression on others.

Rules for the behavior of children at the table

As noted earlier, children should be taught etiquette from an early age. Children quickly learn 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. First, the parents themselves set an example and help the baby, and then this action will be fixed already on the machine.

The child should be seated 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 with 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 behind the collar. It will prevent pieces of food and drinks from getting on your clothes. For small children, special plastic forks and knives were invented. They do not have sharp blades and teeth, so the child will not injure himself, and the bright colors will attract interest.

You should sit straight at the table, you can not swing in a chair and interfere with others sitting at the table. Screams and loud conversations are unacceptable.

An important point in the process of teaching a child good manners at the table is the prohibition of playing with food. It is necessary to explain to the children that such behavior is unacceptable, and that food should not be smeared on the table.

After the meal, you need to thank the hostess for Tasty dinner and ask permission to leave the table. One way to teach a child proper serving is to involve him in the process of laying the table. Let the baby help arrange plates and lay out 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 get nervous. The example of other family members will help the child quickly adapt and behave correctly.

Features in different countries

Rules of conduct at the table different countries world are somewhat different from what we are used to. Some moments can be quite unusual and exotic for Russia. We will find out what tourists should pay attention to in order to avoid uncomfortable situations:

In Japan and Korea, known to be eaten with special chopsticks. During the meal, they are supposed to 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 the funeral.
On the table in Brazilian institutions Catering there is a special token, painted 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 interruption. To limit the hospitality of the attendants, you should turn the token to the red side.
Georgia famous for its wine. Not surprisingly, this drink accompanies almost every meal. Tourists should remember that during the feast it is customary to drink wine completely after each speech.

In India and England It is not recommended to eat with the left hand, as in the traditional Indian religion this hand is considered unclean. This rule also applies to handshakes and the handing over of documents.
Coffee lovers should beware in Italy since in this country it is not customary to drink cappuccino after noon. Locals believe that this can have a bad effect on digestion. Another interesting fact: In Italy they don't add parmesan to pizza or pasta. French etiquette is somewhat similar to Italian.
Tourists traveling in China, restaurants often order fish. With this choice of dish, remember that you can not turn the portion. This is a bad omen, which means a high probability of a fisherman's boat wreck. After eating the upper half of the portion, it would be better to first remove the ridge from the fish and only then continue the meal.

Before traveling to any country, you should first of all familiarize yourself 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 must always be properly set, whether it is a business lunch or family dinner. This teaches culture and gives the meal a solemn mood. At the sight of neatly arranged plates and cutlery, it is much easier to follow the recommendations of behavior at the table.

Exists great amount ways 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 suits 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 from the edge of the table by no more than 30 cm.
Chairs should be arranged with a certain gap between them, so that it is comfortable for diners to sit and not touch their neighbors with their elbows.
At a distance of about 2-3 cm from the edge, a serving plate is placed, which serves as a stand for everything else. Place deeper dishes on top. Plates for bread and pies are located on the left. Soups and broths are served in a special soup bowl or bowl.
Cutlery is placed on napkins made of cellulose. They are selected to match the tablecloth. Cloth napkins to protect clothes are placed rolled up on a plate.

To the right of the plate are those devices that are held, respectively, in the right hand. A tablespoon is placed so that the convex side is at the bottom. The knife should lie with the cutting side towards the plate. The tines of the fork should face up. A dessert spoon is placed on top of the plate.
Some people prefer to drink water with their meals, so it's a good idea to put a glass of clean drinking water in front of your knife. In addition to water, the glass can also contain juice, compote or other non-alcoholic drinks.
Plates with common meals placed in the center of the table. They are supposed to put cutlery for common use.
Hot drinks are served in a special coffee pot, and cups are immediately placed on the table. A small saucer should be placed under the cup, and a teaspoon next to it.
Sugar is poured into a sugar bowl. It comes with a serving spoon. Currently, sugar bowls with a dispenser are often used.
All dishes should be perfectly clean, without chips or cracks.

Vases with fresh flowers placed in the center of the table also look very nice. 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 can get confused in in large numbers various cutlery. The following rule will allow you to feel more confident: the devices lying on the left side of the plate are held only in the left hand. Usually these are forks of different sizes. A similar rule applies to cutlery on the right - it can be spoons and table knives.

As an exception, you can take the fork in your right hand if there is crumbly garnish: rice, buckwheat, mashed potatoes. In other cases, a table knife can help pick up food on a fork.

Sometimes serving includes the presence of several forks and knives at once. In order not to get confused, you can gradually replace the cutlery during the change of dishes, starting from the farthest from the plate and ending with the neighbors.

You can remember the following combinations of dishes and cutlery intended for them:

dessert is eaten with a teapot or a special dessert spoon;
tablespoons are for soups and broths;
a fork in combination with a table knife is used for hot meat dishes;
for fish there is a special fish knife;
cold snacks are usually eaten with a fork and a snack table knife;
fruits are allowed to be eaten with hands or special cutlery.

The rules of etiquette also determine how to properly hold cutlery in your hand:

Place the spoon in your hand so that your thumb is on top of the handle. The broth should be scooped away from you to exclude the possibility of drops on clothing. If there is soup with pieces of meat on the table, then first it is supposed to eat liquid broth, and then cut the meat with cutlery.
It is recommended to hold the fork so that the fingers are further from the base. At the same time, you can hold both the teeth down and up. It depends on the type of food served.
When using a table knife, the fork is held strictly in the left hand, and the knife in the right. In this case, you can help yourself with your index fingers, they will more accurately direct the pressure of the device.
The knife can be used to spread butter or pâté 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 that you should not cut the entire portion at once. You need to gradually cut off small pieces and eat them.