For a long time, table setting personified the respectful attitude of the owner of the house towards his guests. This ancient art developed in accordance with the traditions of a particular country. To properly decorate the table for a party, you need to follow simple rules and customs for serving dishes, arranging dishes and cutlery. Beautifully presented food brings more positive emotions and creates a special atmosphere.

Table setting in different countries of the world largely depends on national characteristics and the characteristics of receiving guests. In this article we will look at how the table is set in different countries of the world, and what are the features of this process.

Japanese style

Japanese table setting is one of the most difficult, as it has a number of differences from the European table setting we are used to. Bowls, trays, plates, deep cups, chopsticks - all this is an integral part of Japanese-style table setting. Such an abundance of elements may frighten an untrained guest, but after a while you will understand how convenient it is.

All necessary items (table, seats) are arranged according to the principle of asymmetry, which allows for free composition and visual expansion of the surrounding space.

There are several basic rules for Japanese serving:

• A separate place is prepared for each guest to designate it; it is customary to use special napkins or trays. Common dishes are placed in the center of the table, most often soup or hot dishes.

• Unlike the forks familiar to Russian residents, the Japanese use chopsticks - they are placed in front of the plate. Please note that the chopsticks should not come into contact with the dishes. For this purpose, wooden stands are used.

• Table etiquette suggests the following arrangement of dishes: a bowl of rice is placed on the right, and a bowl of soup is placed on the right side. Vegetables, meat and fish are placed on the right. In the middle there are various sauces and additives.

In Kazakh style

Most Kazakhs adhere to the ancient custom of dastarkhan - a meal convened for a common meal in honor of family, religious and other celebrations. A lost traveler cannot leave home without tasting gourmet dishes Kazakh cuisine. The more majestic the design, the more noble its owner, the more generous the gifts of Allah will be for this family.

To decorate a table in the Kazakh style, first of all you need to cover it with a snow-white tablecloth with an amazing ornament. The choice of ornament reflects the thoughts of the owners and their attitude towards the guests. Worth giving preference classic models with colorful embroidered patterns, the length of the canvas must meet the established criterion - it should not fall below the level of the seats.

Recently, serving in the Kazakh style has begun to acquire more and more European features. One of these borrowed traditions was the design of napkins, folding them in a special way. To do this, choose bright, contrasting models and decorate them in the form of a “ship”. An example of this method can be seen in the photo below.

The main decoration of the table in the Kazakh style is a variety of colorful dishes. Its quantity and design are largely determined by the nature of the event. Objects reminiscent of the sun and moon are especially popular. It is desirable that the dishes be made of wood and decorated with ornaments appropriate to this people.

If we talk about the arrangement of dishes, then everything is simple: food is placed on plates and placed in a circle.

Ancient Kazakh traditions determine the sequence and order of serving dishes:

• Serving begins with arranging tea utensils. Young girls place bowls in a circle, filling them with aromatic tea. In addition, oriental sweets, fruits and butter are placed on the saucers. Drinks and food are served later, after the host of the table has taken the first sip.

• The next stage is appetizers - these are all kinds of horse meat and lamb dishes. They are served with vegetables and small flatbreads. In some families, it is customary to treat invited relatives and friends with kumis.

• For mains, guests are offered a variety of meat dishes from lamb offal (one of these is kuyrdak). If we are talking about a festive dinner, then the main guest should be served a boiled lamb head - it is divided equally among all guests.

On video: customs and traditions of the Kazakh people.

In Russian style

In ancient times, Russian table setting was distinguished by the sophistication of dishes, variety of decoration and unchanging order. Now our dishes and cutlery are not much different from European ones; they have completely lost their national flavor.

Under normal conditions, cookware is used from a variety of materials: plastic, wood, metal, glass, crystal, ceramics and porcelain. There are several types of plates - snack plates, deep dining plates, deep dessert plates, saucers, caviar plates.

Bowls for salads can also come in different shapes and sizes; round or oval bowls with a capacity of up to 100 ml are often placed on the table.

A distinctive feature of Russian cuisine is the use of soups - deep plates designed for 4 to 10 servings. To recreate the Slavic surroundings, tables are set in restaurants pottery, painted pots, jugs.

Many designers note that ceramic and wooden painted dishes look very interesting as decoration.

Depending on the nature of the dishes and the type of event, the set of cutlery may also change. It can be a snack, fish, dessert, fruit or table. The latter option is also used at home with the addition of all kinds of serving items (spatulas, tweezers).

French style

In France, table setting also has a number of distinctive features. First of all, this is due to the country’s status as a trendsetter, the right style and good taste. The key theme of French style decor is romance. That is why this type of serving is most often used for dates. However, few people know how to properly recreate the atmosphere of France using cutlery, dishes, tablecloths and napkins.

The first rule is: pay attention to textiles. The French do not accept sitting down to the table without a snow-white tablecloth, lace napkins and interesting table runners. This does not mean at all that you need to spend a lot of money on buying a new tablecloth, the main thing is that it is fresh and perfectly ironed.

The surface can be decorated with a bright path, placing it in the center. For this purpose, various stoles, scarves or pareos are used.

What do you associate with romance? Most immediately thought of flowers. When decorating a table in a French style, you should give preference to bouquets of flowers with large buds. You can place a flower arrangement either in a small vase or on a special fruit stand.

If you're getting ready for dinner, don't forget about candles. Soft light will bring comfort and romance to your home and will please even the most picky guest. All additional decorative elements must match the color scheme. They can be in harmony with dishes or with a tablecloth and fruit bowl.

Another important element of table decoration in France is elegance. Antique candlesticks, crystal glasses and vintage cutlery will do.

On video: rules for setting the table in French.

Scandinavian style

Setting a table in Scandinavian style is not as difficult as it might seem. This type of decoration is characterized by environmental friendliness, cold restraint, clear lines and elegant presentation. Serving items are made from natural materials, and the main emphasis is on texture.

According to most designers, this style is universal. It is perfect for a dinner party, cozy get-togethers with friends, wedding celebrations and informal banquets. Preference is given to dishes in neutral or white colors and textiles in rich, fresh shades (green, red, turquoise, gray, blue, beige).

Also an excellent solution would be to buy a linen tablecloth and wooden coasters for saucers and glasses.

Table setting begins with a tablecloth, after which a composition of flowers is placed in the center, always with the addition of fir branches, edelweiss and moss. Glass and wooden candlesticks are suitable for evening serving. When looking for the perfect candles, look for thicker, scented options.

IN recent years The Scandinavian style of decoration has become increasingly used during the Christmas holidays.

Italian style

We are all familiar with the exquisite Italian cuisine, but very little is known about the serving of this country. The dishes must be served in a special order, waiting until they have cooled down after a long cooking time.

The following rules for ideal table setting in Italian style are distinguished:

• Textiles should be the same color, preferably white or beige. On official events It is customary to place napkins to the left of the main dish; at informal dinners this rule is most often not observed (then napkins are placed directly on the plates).

• Vintage cutlery is always favored by Italians. Silver, gilded and crystal glasses, carved candlesticks and an unusually shaped vase - all this will fit perfectly into the interior of the living room or kitchen.

• Silver is an integral attribute of any feast. These can be various decorative elements, cutlery or plates with a silver edging around the edge.

Pay attention to the serving of the bread plate. This is the most amazing thing you can find in European cuisine. It is customary to place it to the left of the main dish, so it is easier to reach the aromatic cuts and understand how tasty simple food can be. Preference is given to single-serve bread, but you can also find bread cut into small pieces.

Interesting fact: in some Italian homes it is customary to place bread directly on the tablecloth - this custom was noticed back in the Middle Ages.

If you don’t have the time to properly set the table according to all the canons of bon ton, then use the secret of Italian housewives: everything in food should be simple and natural, and in the center there should be a composition of flowers or plants in an unusual vase.

Table setting in each country has its own distinctive features. However, this does not mean that you need to stick to only one of the possible styles. IN modern world More and more attention is being paid to a creative approach in the design of various interior elements. Don’t forget about this when observing table etiquette, and then you will definitely be able to surprise your guests.

Table setting in different directions and traditions (65 photos)

The inhabitants of this sunny country have a genetically endowed love for beauty, cheerful and carefree companies and, of course, excellent cuisine. It was in Italian families that such a concept as “the joy of the feast” appeared. All residents claim that the skill of setting a festive table is a real art that many want to imitate!

Recently, a unique and original “encyclopedia” of advice from Italians has become extremely popular. In this encyclopedia you can find solutions for all occasions, where quite a significant place is devoted to the rules of behavior, clothing and manners of conversation. In addition, you will find here useful and previously unknown tips on table setting from a variety of Italian masters of their craft.

But, despite the fact that at this stage of development the Italians are distinguished by their special, refined manners of behavior, they had to go through a rather difficult path for this, on which various obstacles awaited them. Once upon a time in Ancient Rome there were no forks: women had to take food with their hands, but at the same time they tried not to get dirty. If at first in the empire of Ancient Rome, a completely ordinary napkin was in the form of a simple bundle that guests could take home, where they packed the leftover food after dinner. The napkin then evolved into a very practical accessory that became an indispensable decorative element on every Italian table.

Among the features of Italian serving, it is necessary to remember several of the most important rules that all Italians adhere to:

Firstly, we are talking about tablecloths and napkins. It is advisable that they be the same color (it will be especially great if they are pastel shades) or they will be combined in color. The Italians themselves give their preference exclusively to light colors at the table. Napkins should be on the left side of the dishes, but if we are talking about an informal feast, then you can also place the napkin on the right side or even on the plate itself. In this case, the napkin should be decorated using a special serving ring or decorative ribbon.

The older generation of women in this country give their preference exclusively to tablecloths made from Flemish linen. It is this historical area that is the main producer of high-quality and beautiful tablecloths.

Secondly, Italians pay great attention to appliances. Great option There will be silver or vintage cutlery that was once used by our ancestors. For each new dish, a special fork and knife should be thought out. When serving fish appetizers, you must place a special fork on the right, and a scoop-shaped knife to the left of the place for a regular knife. If we are talking about serving soup, then it is necessary to provide tablespoons, but in the case of a creamy dessert, miniature dessert spoons are used. When serving game or snails to the festive table, they must be placed on separate trays.

According to Italian tradition, forks should be placed with the tines down so that the family coat of arms can be seen. This was due to the fact that the family's coat of arms is located with reverse side the fork itself.

Thirdly, when serving, you need to pay attention to the plates themselves. They must be white, but decorative dishes must be made of silver. The encyclopedia of “good manners” advises setting out dessert plates and dishes for the second person, because traditions include serving soup in separate, specially prepared deep plates.

In order to serve pasta you need to use regular dishes, but despite this, Italians very often serve it in soup bowls. This serving is due to the fact that the inhabitants of the Apennines consider pasta, just like risotto, to be first courses.

Fourthly, Italians place special importance on glasses/accessories. Cup-shaped glasses are extremely popular. On the festive table there should be: one glass intended for water, as well as two glasses intended for wine (it should be said that a medium-sized glass is intended for red wine, but a smaller glass is intended for serving white wine). All three glasses must be built “by height”, in accordance with the size. Refined Italian table settings include special coasters for glasses, although serving experts advise avoiding them. But the most important rule remains that ashtrays can under no circumstances be present on the table.

Fifthly, the presence of a bread plate is very important for Italian table setting. As for the correct location of this plate, it should be said that it should be on the left side of the main dishes. When serving bread, you should give preference to bread in small portions rather than cut into pieces. If such a special plate is not provided on the holiday table, then the bread can simply be placed on the tablecloth, and not on the edge of the plate in which you eat.

If we are talking about a wedding table, then its setting is especially chic: Italians give preference to silver, porcelain and crystal dishes. On such a table, linen napkins with small loaves of bread placed under them will look great.

If you don’t have enough time to adequately prepare for setting the festive table, the Italians advise using everything simple and natural, which will also look pretty good and elegant.

Italian style is a type of country style- very cozy and expressive.
Dishes in this style are characterized by rather thick, deliberately simple ceramic ware. Such dishes have practically no sharp corners, they are softly smoothed, and the dish itself has a soft rounded shape. Usually it is covered with bright, colorful, somewhat naive paintings and ornaments in "rural spirit". These can be floral and vegetable ornamental motifs depicting the gifts of the Italian land; they can also be pastoral motifs that convey the characteristics of the national color and way of life.

Country style appeared in England approximately at the beginning of the last century.
This is a generalized image that does not have a specific “nationality”. Decorative elements of the style depend on the coloring of a particular country - Italy, France, Russia, Germany, England, Norway. But regardless of geography, the essence of country is “country style”.
Porcelain dishes in this style are distinguished by slightly muted multi-colors, still lifes, paintings of village life and rural motifs.

Colors and shades of dishes in Italian style
Ocher, terracotta, sunny yellow, creamy, baked milk tones, brick-chocolate, copper, copper-green and olive tones dominate. These are paints that convey fertility, abundance, prosperity and warmth of the sunny Italian land and the Mediterranean. As a rule, dishes in the Italian style are made by hand, or imitate handmade as if it was created by the caring hands of a craftsman living next door. White color is less typical for Italian tableware; if it is used, it is mostly as an addition. It is applied to a bluish-white glaze or to a light blue and dark blue background.

When setting the table with Italian style dishes, you can use textile- linen or cotton large-woven napkins and hand towels (small hand towels), decorated with embroidery. You can use small ceramic holders and clips for napkins - it will look very beautiful and stylish.

Living garden plants will add a special flavor to a table decorated in Italian style. flowers or fruits, placed in vases - lemons, oranges, pears, grapes, and even red onions, small zucchini and pumpkins. In Italy, dishes are usually stored in hanging open racks made of wood. They can also be decorated with small porcelain figurines or figurines. Either way, pay more attention to detail and color. It’s the little things and accessories that will make your table, and therefore the image of your kitchen, more complete.

French, Italian and Japanese cuisine table setting features

When preparing for a romantic dinner, family lunch, meeting of relatives or a festive feast, you need to pay attention not only to creating a menu, but also to decorating the table. After all, deliciously prepared dishes will bring more positive emotions if they are beautifully decorated and served.

The choice of dishes from a particular cuisine of the world depends not only on the choice of ingredients necessary for their preparation, but also on the surroundings that recreate the atmosphere of this country. The French have a wonderful expression “art de vivre”, which means “the art of living”, which refers not only to life itself, but also to the ability to cook and the ability to beautifully set the table. If you want to cook French cuisine, then the most relevant would be to use bone china, the distinctive feature of which is very thin and even lines, or classic porcelain with original edges of the plates. Table setting in the spirit of France involves the use of a large amount of silver. Cutlery made in the style of antique silver, the use of partial polishing will emphasize the taste and beauty of the served dishes. One of the dishes that the French love is cheese dessert, so there should be cutlery for eating it on the table. In addition, to add originality to your table setting, you can use spice sets.

If you want to recreate the atmosphere of life-loving Italy, then you should know that the culinary traditions of this country go back to antiquity. Italians believe that a feast should be conducive to lively conversation and not be rushed. Main feature Table setting in the spirit of Italy is the use of the Italian tricolor: green, white and red. Instead of traditional tablecloths, you can use fabric panels of these colors, placing them on the table so that they form the Italian flag. Napkins for table setting can also be used in green, white and red colors, placing them on fabric panels of a different color, for example green on red, white on green, red on white, or combining colors in a single color. Since the culinary symbol of Italy is pasta, its presence on the table is mandatory. It is better to serve it on a long narrow dish in green tones. To liven up the table, place a bouquet of flowers on it. In addition, you can use Italian spaghetti to serve the table. They can be placed in the form of a tent and tied with ribbon. Originally shaped figurines, decanters, vessels, candlesticks - all these decorative elements will add a special charm to table setting in the Italian style.

Japanese-style table setting is one of the most difficult, since the difference in European and Eastern traditions and customs is very large. When first introduced, Japanese cuisine is striking in its simplicity. According to the Japanese, delicious dishes should not only be a means of satisfying hunger, but also delight the eye, body and soul. The served dishes must look beautiful in order to bring aesthetic pleasure in their appearance, be aromatic and moderately hot or cold. The color scheme of the dishes consists of five colors: black, yellow, white, red and green. To recreate the atmosphere of Japan, it is necessary to take into account that the Japanese have their own colors for each season. This is reflected in the interior design and table setting. The change of seasons also affects the decoration of cooked dishes. In the winter season, blue tones are used, which are associated with snow. But white and red are festive colors that harmoniously fit into any interior. Also, the time of year should be reflected in the color of food, the shape and texture of utensils. At the same time, the main principles of Japanese art are asymmetry, free composition, and emptiness. All Japanese-style table decor elements should be positioned freely.

No matter what cuisine you prefer, you can always add your own original ideas V

At the table in Italy, important deals are concluded, grandiose weddings are played, modest birthdays and magnificent anniversaries are celebrated. Even local sayings like a tavola prese moglie un frate (“a monk got married at a table in company”) or a tavola ci si invecchia(“they grow old at the table”) clearly illustrate the epic duration of typical Italian feasts.

Therefore, it is not surprising that it was in Italy, with the love for beauty, large companies and good cuisine genetically embedded in the country’s inhabitants, that the very concept of “the joy of feasting” (gioie della tavola) could appear. And table setting can transform into a real art worthy of imitation!

Enterprising Italians even published a kind of “encyclopedia” of advice for all occasions called Galateo. Among the sensible recommendations regarding behavior, clothing and manners of conversation, which are sometimes still followed in the Apennines, there were also recommendations for serving - all from the pen of the Florentine priest and writer Monsignor Giovanni della Casa.

And the Italian “Domostroy” owes such an unusual name - Galateo - to the friend of the book’s author, the priest Galeazzo (in the Latin manner of Galatheus) Florimonte, known in that era for his impeccable manners and subtle taste.

But, of course, neither the manners of the Italians nor the table setting were always impeccable - they came to perfection in Italy gradually. For example, in the same Ancient Rome they did not know forks, and women were instructed to gracefully (!) take food with their hands, trying not to get dirty... And an ordinary napkin has experienced a real evolution since the times of the Ancient Roman Empire: from a bundle in which guests were taken home remnants of a dinner party, to a practical accessory that has become an indispensable decorative element of any tastefully laid table. You ask, what is special about Italian table settings? Here are a few golden rules that are usually followed in Italy:

1. Tablecloth and napkins. It is better if they are the same color, preferably white or one of the pastel shades (Italians generally prefer light colors). Napkins are placed to the left of the dishes; for informal dinners, it is also permissible to place the napkin to the right of the dish or directly on the plates (if the napkin is equipped with a special ring or decorative ribbon).

It is curious that among the older generation of women in Italy, the most luxurious tablecloths are still considered to be those made from Flemish linen (a historical region in the territory of modern France, Belgium and the Netherlands).

2. Devices. If you inherited a set of silver cutlery from your grandmother, then quickly take it out of your chest: silver, especially vintage silver, has always been held in high esteem in Italy.

Consider using a fork and knife for each new dish. If you are serving fish appetizers, then place a special fork for the fish first on the left side of the dish; a fish knife, more like a scoop, should always lie to the right of a regular knife. If you are serving soup, do not forget about tablespoons; if you are preparing a creamy dessert, do not forget about miniature dessert spoons. Unusual utensils, for example, for game or snails, are usually served separately on a tray, directly with the unusual dish.

It is curious that in noble Italian families it was customary to place forks with the tines down so that the family coat of arms, which decorated the handle of the forks on the reverse side, was visible.

3. Plates. Ideally, all the plates will be white and only the decorative dishes underneath them will be made of silver. Galateo allows the table to be served exclusively with dessert plates and dishes for the second, suggesting that the soup will be served in deep plates directly to the table.

It is curious that in Italy many people often and mistakenly serve pasta (which, like risotto, is considered the first course in the Apennines) in deep plates, when regular dishes should be used.

You can read about glasses, accessories, a bread plate and the Italian secret of an elegant table in the original article