Placement and use of western tableware
If subdivided, cups, plates, napkins, etc. are all tableware. We generally say western tableware, especially knives, forks and spoons.
The conventional arrangement of western tableware is as follows: put a soup plate in the middle directly opposite, with a spoon above the soup plate and the center of the spoon facing up. Put all kinds of wine glasses and cups above the spoon. There are forks and knives on the left and right sides of the plate, and the knives and forks are placed in parallel. The bread butter plate with butter knife is at the top left, parallel to the glass. Napkins are placed in a plate, or folded and inserted into a water cup. If there are noodles in the meal, there will be a special fork and spoon placed horizontally under the plate. At a formal western banquet, each dish will be equipped with a corresponding set of tableware, which will be arranged from outside to inside according to the order of serving: appetizer, soup, seafood, meat, beverage, bread and dessert. Experienced people can judge the approximate dishes from the arrangement of tableware.
Xiaofeng is a budding writer, and a senior editor of a publishing house intends to promote him. During a pen meeting, the editor invited Xiaofeng to a western restaurant for lunch. Xiaofeng is eating western food for the first time. I saw a table full of knives and forks, but I didn't think there was any knowledge in it. When eating, Xiaofeng learned to be an editor and held a knife and fork in his hand in a decent way. Xiaofeng holds a fork for eating meat in his left hand and a knife for buttering in his right hand. And the dish in front of him is a smoked fish. The senior editor thought, "It's the first time to eat, so you can't ask me if you don't know how to use it?" Can't you see how I use it? He is really ill-bred and not good at learning and thinking. Forget it, he won't make much progress. " After dinner, Xiaofeng is still looking forward to his bright future, but the senior editor is already considering finding another training object.
When eating western food, tableware should not be used indiscriminately, but should be used in turn from outside to inside. When eating the first course, you should first use the outermost set of knives and forks on both sides of the soup plate. When eating the second course, you should take the knives and forks at the outer ends of the left and right sides in turn, and so on. In the process of eating, you should always use the left fork and the right knife. What's more interesting is the American usage. You can divide all the food on the plate with a left fork and a right knife, then put the knife diagonally in front of the plate and eat with the fork in your right hand. It's not rude. )
At least two spoons will be used in more formal western food. Stand side by side with the knife, and the outermost spoon on the right side of the plate is used for drinking soup, which is slightly larger; The spoon placed horizontally above the dessert knife and fork is used to eat dessert, which is slightly smaller. When dessert is not served, it will be replaced by a teaspoon. A spoon for drinking coffee or tea can only be used for stirring, not for scooping. When drinking coffee or tea, put the spoon on the tray instead of the cup.
Like chopsticks used in Chinese food, western tableware can't be placed casually during dining. After each dish is finished, or if you don't want to eat any more, you can put the knife and fork side by side in the plate, or put the knife and fork in the plate side by side. After the service personnel see it, they will understand that this plate can be removed.
Comply with etiquette and eat the true meaning of western food.
Western food often does not focus on "eating", but on the environment and emotional appeal. Pay attention to the exquisite menu, touching atmosphere, melodious music and elegant manners. Therefore, when eating western food, we must pay special attention to our words and deeds.
When you eat in a western restaurant, you must dress neatly, and you can't wear casual clothes, so should you go to a western family dinner. When taking a seat, you should be dignified and not in a hurry. If men and women walk together, men should take the initiative to help women pull out their seats. If you have bags, documents and other sundries with you, you should put them under the table or on your lap.
On the dining table of western food, it is polite to keep clean. During eating, don't stir around in any food, take a proper amount each time, and only let one third of the spoon enter your mouth when you send the food into your mouth. When drinking soup, you should scoop it from the inside out from your own direction; Every time you take food, you should eat the food in the spoon at once. Don't put the used spoon back. During eating, don't let the spoon be covered with soup and dessert residue, let alone spill it on the table, fall to the ground and stick to your hands and face.
On Yan Yan's first date, male students invited her to eat western food. Yan Yan doesn't know how to use tableware, but carefully and quietly looks at how male students and other guests use it. Fortunately, nothing went wrong. Gradually, Yan Yan felt that she didn't have to worry about the usage of tableware and how to eat food, and her words gradually increased. Speaking of happiness, she raised her voice and waved her knife and fork around. The male classmate's expression was awkward, and the waiter and other guests not far away also noticed Yan Yan's voice and movements, and some guests did Sarah laugh. The male classmate said softly, "Put the knife and fork down." Yan Yan didn't notice her gaffes. She stuck out her tongue to apologize. But after a while, Yan Yan began to amplify her voice again. Her laughter echoed harshly in the restaurant, and other guests looked at her discontentedly again. The male student was very disappointed, and originally wanted to pursue Yan Yan. Now, he denied his idea.
It is important to keep quiet. When eating western food, don't talk loudly. When talking, don't wave the tableware in your hand. When eating western food, in the process of using a knife and fork, try not to make the sound of knife and fork colliding, let alone banging on the plate. Don't make a chewing noise while eating. In addition, try to avoid pulling the seat at will and making noise.