Table setting for dinner: basic rules

The rhythm of modern life does not always allow you to just have a quiet lunch, let alone serve dinner in accordance with all the rules. But the weekend comes, and the whole family spends time at home, and guests often come to dinner. Setting the dinner table is a great way to turn an ordinary meal into a real event.

For a beautiful and proper table setting, you need to acquire the following items:

• Tablecloth;
• Napkins;
• Bread plate;
• Soup plate;
• Tureen;
• Large plate as a stand;
• Snack plate;

• Cutlery set;
• Butter knife;
• Glasses, goblets or shot glasses depending on the offered drinks;
• Salt, pepper and butter dish;
• Sauce bowl.

You need to choose the color of the tablecloth based on the general interior of the room in which the dinner takes place. Tablecloths in calm and pastel colors look advantageous. A classic white tablecloth is appropriate both for a simple home dinner, and for a solemn and business one.

Oddly enough, serving requires some preparation. Let's start with dishes and appliances. Simple instruction:

• Choose the size of the new cookware based on the dimensions of the countertop. Large plates on a small surface will look ridiculous.
• Knives and forks should be cleaned before laying on the table. Grab the cutlery with one end of the towel, and rub it to a shine with the other end. Each device is rubbed separately.
• Glasses also need to be rubbed before putting on the table. Grasp the leg with one end of the towel, and wipe the inside of the glass with the other in a circular motion.
• Plates are rubbed in the same way as forks and knives. Hold with one edge and rub with the other.
• It is strictly forbidden to blow on glassware.

Preparing a tablecloth is an important and responsible procedure. The appearance of the laid table should evoke a feeling of comfort, but not distract attention from serving. Tablecloth preparation principle:

• Choose fabric models of tablecloths. On a beautiful dining table, the presence of oilcloth is simply unacceptable.
• The tablecloth must be washed and ironed. Sometimes it makes sense to use additional whitening compounds. Make sure that after ironing there are no wrinkles or creases in the fabric.
• You need to lay the tablecloth in one sharp movement. At the same time, hold the matter by the corners diagonally. Such a simple manipulation creates a special air gap between the table top and the fabric, which helps to perfectly lay the tablecloth.
• The corners of the tablecloth should fall along the line of the legs with the same distance. Usually 20-30 cm is enough.
• Hanging a tablecloth is a delicate matter. All sides must be at the same height. The tablecloth should not fall below the seats of the chairs.

An important attribute of the dining table are napkins. They also need training.

• To create a special atmosphere, give up paper napkins. Fabric products look more presentable.
• Choose napkins to match the tablecloth or use products from one set.
• Be sure to place one napkin on the plate in front of the guest. It is her person who should spread it on his knees before the start of the meal. Such a napkin can be folded in absolutely any way.
• Be sure to place additional napkins along the center line of the countertop. Place them so that each guest can easily reach them.

At the final stage, prepare the devices for seasonings:

• The salt shaker is filled 1/3 with salt.
• The pepper box should be half filled.
• Vinegar and oils should be served in special containers.
• There should be mustard on the table in a special open container. So that it does not dry out during lunch, just drip a little milk on top. Be sure to put a spoon on the container itself.

Now it's time to serve your dinner table. At the preparatory stage, the table was already covered with a beautiful tablecloth, now it's time to set up the appliances. Serving step by step:

• Lunch can consist of 2-4 courses. Two plates should be placed on the table. A deep plate is placed on top of a shallow one. Place them so that only a couple of centimeters remain to the edge of the table. It is important to observe an equal interval between tableware.
• Appliances are laid out near the plates. Place the soup spoon and knife on the right, and place the fork on the left. Hot dishes are located closer to the plates. Lay out devices strictly with teeth in the ceiling.
• In the central part of the dining table, place containers with spices. It is this arrangement that allows each guest to easily take the right jar.
• Place the drinkware next to a large plate that serves as a stand for the main dishes. If there is alcohol on your table, then open the bottle before serving.
• Dinner and snack plates should be placed if dishes are served in common dishes.

• The butter on the table should be in a butter dish with a butter knife.
• Soup can not be served in a saucepan, use a special tureen. The dish itself is located where the mistress of the house sits.
• Place napkins on guests' plates.
• The design of the dining table involves the location of beautiful fresh flowers in the central part of the table top.

This is how the general layout of the dinner table looks like. Some nuances may vary depending on the dishes you are going to feed your family or guests with.

It is worth highlighting the basic rules that must be observed during serving the dining table. Never serve the first dish in a saucepan, this violates the whole principle of serving. If the dish in the tureen cools quickly, then be sure to warm it up before serving.

Bread should be placed on the sides of the table, not in the center. Only cloth napkins can be placed on plates. Paper products can only be supplied as a supplement in special stands. Putting paper napkins mixed with cloth on the table is unacceptable.

Forks are located only with teeth up. If you put snacks on the table, then the devices for them should be placed further than the main ones. Place drinking utensils to the right and diagonally from the plates.

In the central part of the table there should be containers with drinks - jugs, decanters, bottles. Place a variety of spices on the same line. Don't forget to put the knife in the butter.

Dessert is served at the end of the meal. Before serving the final dish, be sure to remove unnecessary dishes from the table. Spices, tableware and used napkins should not be left on the table. In the center of the tabletop, only drinks and flowers retain their places. Use a small scoop with a lid and a folded napkin to remove garbage after eating.

The word "dessert" itself has French roots and literally means cleaning the table. At a family dinner, pies or sweets are often served with tea. In this case, the serving is reduced to a tea service and vases for treats. When serving a pie, place a dessert plate in front of each. When serving a festive dinner, if necessary, bowls with dessert are placed on top.

For a dinner at the highest level, serving is not enough. Simple and understandable rules of table etiquette must be observed by each participant in the meal. Basic norms of behavior:

• Late for the table is not accepted. It is especially tactless when the owners make guests wait.
• Sit at a table with a straight back and keep your elbows close to your body. When eating, do not put your elbows on the table.
• A napkin from a plate should be placed on your knees. After dinner, put it to the right of your plate.
• It is not customary to eat false dishes that can be eaten with a fork.
• Food cannot be eaten with a knife.Also, do not put food on the fork with a knife.

• The man at the table undertakes to court the woman on the right. Therefore, the wives of men sit on this side.
• After using a teaspoon, place it on a saucer. You can't leave the spoon in the cup.
• If you need to cut something, then take the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left.
• It is customary to blot lips and fingers with a napkin. Do not try to wipe it all over your face.
• Do not try to finish the dish to the last crumb. This looks ridiculous and unethical.

How to properly set the table, see the following video.