Table etiquette is one of the distinctive cultural features of peoples around the world. The meal in the tradition of each country is somehow special. For example, in Asia, it is predominantly customary to sit on the floor with carpets during meals, and spread the food on a low table or directly on the tablecloth. In Europe, on the contrary, they have long eaten at high tables. And among the Western and Eastern Slavs, eating at such a table a thousand years ago was a sign of Christian behavior. In this article we will talk about the history of etiquette, its features in different countries.
History of table traditions
Detailed references to table etiquette are first found in the 10th-century Czech literary monument "Legend of Christian", which details how princes who did not convert to Christianity and remained pagans were not allowed to sit at onetable with the others, so they had to sit on the floor.
An important element of table etiquette has historically also been the hearth. It was a sacred center, in which, according to popular belief, the spirits of ancestors lived. It was customary to feed the spirits regularly by throwing pieces of food into the fire. Interestingly, in the history of table etiquette for Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians, the functions of the hearth were distributed between the table and the stove. Moreover, it was with the oven that the main beliefs were associated, as well as ritual actions that were of pagan origin. But the table, in turn, belonged exclusively to Christian beliefs.
In the rules of table etiquette among most peoples, the house was conditionally divided into several parts, which were endowed with various symbolic meanings. For example, on the male and female parts. The order of seating at the table determined the entire scenario of the meal. Among the Eastern Slavs, the place at the head of the table was considered the most honorable. As a rule, it was located in the red corner, under the icons. Women were not allowed there (they were considered unclean due to menstruation), so only the head of the family could sit there.
Men and women
On the side of the owner were the older men, and then the younger ones. Women sat only at the farthest end of the table. If someone did not have enough space, he sat near the stove or just on the bench.
In the 16th-17th centuries, according to the rules of table etiquette, women were first required to serve, only then eat themselves. Even wives and husbands dined separately. The women went to theirchambers, and the men ate with guests or alone. Such orders lasted until the 18th century, when many changes and innovations appeared in table etiquette under the influence of Peter the Great's reforms.
Sacred foods
Interestingly, for most peoples, even the most ordinary meal turned into a kind of sacrifice, becoming like a rite of feeding supernatural forces.
Also, many peoples initially maintained a respectful and almost religious attitude to food. For example, among the Slavs, bread was considered the most important and revered product, personifying the well-being of the home and family. This attitude predetermined special rules for handling bread. For example, it was impossible to eat it up after another person. It was believed that in this case you can take away his happiness, it was not customary to eat bread behind the back of another.
The way bread was divided was often associated with the way it was baked. For example, pickled was cut, and unleavened was broken, because it was more convenient. At the same time, in many cultures there was a ritual gesture of breaking bread, which was used to seal contracts and oaths.
According to the rules of table etiquette in Russia, a meal always began and ended with bread. Moreover, it is often eaten with all dishes in a row, which is not accepted in Western countries and even in the neighboring B altic states.
The second sacred food was s alt. She was always treated with emphatic care: they never dipped bread in a s alt shaker, they never took it out with their fingers. Such customs of table etiquette have survived to this day.
Respect for s alttypical not only for the Slavs. In Central Asia, it was customary to start and end any meal with it, and in ancient Rome, presenting s alt to a guest meant offering him friendship. To overturn the s alt shaker in almost all nations meant a bad gesture, which leads to a deterioration or break in relations.
Features of the meal among the Slavs
In Russia, the ritual of the meal was practically inseparable from God. At the same time, it was considered cultural to eat in silence, since it was believed that during lunch a person seemed to die for this world, moving away from everyday life.
I wonder what kind of food it was customary to thank God, and not the hostess, as it is now. In general, the feast was like an exchange with God, who was thanked for the food, and the owner of the house, who sat in the red corner, disposing of the meal, seemed to speak in his name of the Almighty.
It is noteworthy that, according to ancient ideas, evil forces and devils necessarily took part in the meal. Christian and righteous behavior causes the blessing of the spirits, and sinful behavior drives out the devils who, by hook or by crook, are trying to interfere in the feast.
Etiquette rules come from antiquity
This is related to the ban on knocking spoons on the table while eating, which existed among many European nations. This is reflected in the rules of modern etiquette, it is still unacceptable to behave in this way.
There is another rule that has mystical roots. It is forbidden to leave the spoon so that it rests on the table with the handle, and the otherend on a plate. It was believed among the people that in this case, evil spirits could crawl into the plate along the spoon, like over a bridge.
Modern serving
Note that table setting in Europe acquired a modern look relatively recently. Spoons and knives were only used in the 16th century.
When there were no plates yet, they took food with their fingers from a common dish, put their portion of meat on a wooden board or a slice of bread. The fork became widespread only in the 16th-17th centuries. At the same time, the church at first condemned it as a diabolical luxury.
In Russia, all cutlery began to be used about one or two centuries later than in Western Europe.
Now let's look at the rules of table etiquette in different countries with a few specific examples.
North Caucasus
Here, table traditions have always been of great importance. The basic rules and rituals have survived to this day. For example, food should be moderate. The same applied to liquor.
The table etiquette of the peoples of the North Caucasus has reminded and continues to resemble a kind of performance in which the role of each participant is described in detail. In most cases, the meal was held in the family circle. At the same time, women and men did not sit together. They were allowed to eat at the same time only on holidays, and even then in different rooms.
Tamada
The manager of the feast was not the owner, but the toastmaster. This word is originally Adyghe-Abkhazorigin is now ubiquitous. Tamada was engaged in making toasts, giving the floor to the participants in the meal. It is worth noting that approximately the same amount of time at the Caucasian table was eaten and toasted. Judging by the pictures of table etiquette, this was given increased attention in the past, the same situation remains today.
If they received some honorable and respected guest, it was customary to make a sacrifice. A ram, a cow or a chicken was necessarily slaughtered to the table. Scientists see this as an echo of pagan sacrifice, when a guest was identified with God, blood was shed for him.
Meat distribution
In any feast in the Caucasus, great attention was paid to the distribution of meat. The best pieces went to the elders and guests. For example, Abkhazians offered a guest a thigh or shoulder blade, Kabardians considered the right half of the head and brisket to be the best part. The rest received their shares in order of seniority.
During the feast, it was obligatory to always remember God. The meal began with a prayer, and each toast and wish of he alth to the hosts included his name. Women did not take part in men's feasts, but could only serve them. Only among some peoples of the North Caucasus, the hostess still went out to the guests, but only made a toast in their honor, after which she immediately went back.
Austria
In Austria, table etiquette is similar to the state of affairs that originally existed throughout Western Europe, but still has its ownindividual characteristics. First of all, it concerns coffee shops. Such strict traditions exist mainly in Vienna.
For example, in this city it is still customary to address a waiter with emphatic respect: "Mr. waiter!" Along with coffee, free water is always served here, and they also offer to read the latest newspapers.
For this, guests will be required to leave a tip - their size should be from 10 to 20 percent of the order value. In Austria, special attention is paid to the title of a guest, as "Madam Doctor" or "Mr. Master" can be addressed.
In addition to our traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is also a meal in Austria. It's a coffee break that takes place after lunch.
Turkey
Traditional table etiquette in Turkey is often very different from the customs we are all used to. For example, here, especially in rural areas, it is customary to eat as quickly as possible, and then immediately get up from the table. In ancient times, it was even believed that a person's success is determined by how quickly he eats.
One of the explanations for this phenomenon was that everyone ate from a common dish, so slow eaters could get almost nothing. So that was a good incentive. Another factor was that the villagers had to work hard in the fields, which did not allow them to devote too much time to food. Traditions of eating fast among the villagers have survived to this day. They believe that filling the stomach is notmore than a duty that must be completed as soon as possible.
In cities, people eat more slowly, paying more attention to the process of enjoying food.
In the villages, they eat sitting on the floor, on pillows, with their legs crossed. Dishes are brought out on one large tray. In the city, the meal takes place at the table, from individual plates, and not from a common dish. Recently, tables have appeared in the countryside, but many still eat on the floor out of habit. And the table is used as a status symbol. It is placed in the corner of the room, decorated with various ornaments.
Homemade food
It is interesting that among the Turks there is still a passion for homemade food. Because of this, restaurant food has never taken a significant place in the culture of feasts. The reasons for this are considered thoroughness in preparation, the desire for purity, economy and taste.
Even when women gather for friendly gatherings on weekends, they prefer to cook sweet and savory cookies and other delicacies on their own. This is another way to show off your culinary skills.
The freshness of dishes plays a big role in Turkish cuisine. Food in this country is predominantly fatty and spicy, with lots of sauces. For Europeans, such food is considered too heavy.
In rural areas, as in the Caucasus, it is always customary to feed a guest if he is in the house. This is the basic rule of Turkish hospitality.
Another interesting custom. When neighbors borrow something from each other from kitchen utensils, it is customary to return it not empty. In this dishthe hostess passes some dish that she has prepared.
In Turkey, it is customary to eat everything that is on the plates. This is based on a religious law against extravagance, so leaving food is considered a sin.
Japan
In Japan, table etiquette is given increased attention. There are even two main types of seating at low tables on the tatami. Seiza is an official strict posture when a person sits with his body upright, on his heels. This is the way to behave during ceremonial and official dinners.
Agura is more relaxed. It is permissible during informal feasts, allowing, for example, to sit cross-legged. At the same time, women never sit in the agur pose.
At formal feasts, the tray is the regulator of table etiquette. Everything is laid out on it in a strict order. For example, soup is closer to the diner, and snacks are on the farthest edge of the tray.
