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 Of course, it's always better to be a guest, but someone has to be the host as well. And it is very pleasant when a man is in charge in a bright, clean room in the kitchen: a well-served table, delicious food served in beautiful dishes, the friendliness of the owner - all this will create a good mood for everyone.
Visiting relatives and friends, friends, workmates, neighbors, just acquaintances. And we are all equally happy. The main thing in our meetings is communication, it is this that attracts us, attracts, brings joy. No matter how tired we are of the hassle in the kitchen and table setting, we always meet our guests with a smile, polite, friendly, without showing them our tiredness. The owner greets with the words: "Hello, very nice, come in, please," or: "Good evening, please, we are glad to see you." There are no etiquette restrictions on the number of guests: young people usually like to invite numerous companies, noisy, energetic, cheerful. Middle-aged people gather in their constant, well-established circle.
Based on the capabilities of the apartment, it is necessary to create maximum amenities for everyone. Each guest should not be cramped at the table. Otherwise, his mood will be somewhat depressed.
Typically, the table is set in the largest room, the living room. Relatives and close friends can be received in the kitchen, but this is not the best option, and only for a normal day.
Almost all guests are assembled, but two, for example, are late (by the way, it is indecent to be more than 10-15 minutes late), you should not wait for them, as this is not tactful in relation to the rest.
It is necessary to create an elevated atmosphere so that guests feel good and comfortable all evening. Sit down the talkative with the silent. Lovers and newlyweds are seated at the table together. Husbands and wives do not have to be seated apart; it may well happen that they are pleased to sit next to them, because this is not always possible at home.
When setting the table, a tablecloth is a must. No oilcloths! The holiday does not happen every day, and let it be pleasant for everyone and leave a feeling of snow-white cleanliness and neatness. By the way, colored tablecloths do not go out of fashion either.
If any of the guests suddenly breaks the dishes, remind the loser that the dishes break fortunately. Thus, you will console the guilty guest and yourself. Do not betray your grief, because you still cannot return what is lost.
Do not offer slippers to the guest entering the apartment (this is not hygienic!). Offer to dry your shoes. However, when going on a visit, it is better to take shoes (shoes) with you. Here the guests sat down at the table. The owner sits at the edge of the table, which is closer to the kitchen, for easier serving. He must make sure that the guests do not start talking about illnesses and all sorts of troubles. Without much deliberation, pressure, where with a joke, where with a smile, we will offer everyone a convenient and easy topic. But this should be done imperceptibly and unobtrusively.
It is ugly to annoy: "Eat, eat, eat" (in fact, you should say "eat").
On New Year's Eve, everyone is equal, both hosts and guests, so all men have common worries and concerns. They can help cut bread, cheese, sausage, wipe bottles, wash fruits, dishes, and clear the table.
If you are invited or you came to a birthday (you can go to close people and friends without an invitation), be sure to bring a gift: better books, flowers. If this is not a birthday celebration, then it is perfectly appropriate not to bring anything. You can grab sweets for the children, and give the hostess fresh flowers, always unfolded, without paper.
When setting the table, try to arrange the dishes so that they can be reached from either end of the table (they achieve this by repeating, alternating dishes). Let's say the table is extended (expanded) for 12 people.Pickled mushrooms, pickles are placed at both ends, assorted meat and fish, salads, aspic or jelly, but not in a line, but a snake. Splendid dishes: pig, chicken, stuffed or aspic, family pie, cake, - placed in the center of the table. It is better to immediately cut a cake or pie into squares or segments, but this must be done in the presence of guests.
If it is necessary to be friendly when meeting, then hospitable when treating. It is very pleasant to drink citrus juice tucked into a siphon at a non-alcoholic table.
It is good to praise at least one dish at a party, and asking for its recipe is generally a compliment to the owner. But if he is reluctant to share with you, do not insist: maybe this is his little culinary secret. It's ugly to leave right after dinner. How long to stay away? There are no rules here. However, it makes sense to pay attention to the mood of the owners.
You can invite guests for pancakes, for coffee, for tea, for a cocktail, for a pie, for dumplings, and for a bachelor dinner. You can also say: "Come after dinner." In this case, you have the right to limit yourself to tea, fruits, serve sweets.
A French proverb says: "Pay visits without warning and you will know what they think of you." And you can find out this very simply: by the expression on the face of the person who opens the door.
After a week of work, each of us, upon returning home, will have many tasks and responsibilities. An unexpected visit causes anxiety and inconvenience, so it is better to arrange a meeting in advance. Even if the owners are polite, this does not mean anything, except for a good upbringing. So try not to linger, talk - and say goodbye. You will see, the hosts will liven up, show cordiality - and the farewell will be warmer. It is better to refuse the invitation to stay, as, perhaps, dinner is prepared only for family members.
However, once we are in the role of hosts, we must be prepared to receive "unexpected" guests. If they come in the morning, then they can be offered a simple breakfast or just tea, coffee with homemade cookies. By the way, sweets, jam, honey... For such cases, it is necessary to have homemade products that are well preserved, do not lose their taste and nutritional qualities.
At lunchtime, you can reduce the portions for everyone sitting at the table and thus get out of the predicament. It is good to have "blanks" in the refrigerator: minced meat, dumplings, broth, a piece of fried meat or cubes of marinated meat for kebab, boiled chicken, sausage, canned food, cheese. From them and preparations for the winter (pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers, compotes), you can quickly prepare delicious dishes. For the first, for example, serve chicken bouillon with an egg or croutons, for the second - boiled chicken, for which the best side dish is boiled rice... For dessert - compote or jelly.
Nice to treat with sandwiches, fruits.
For dinner, guests can be offered tea, pastries, but if the guests stayed too long, you need to prepare a light dinner and serve it 2-3 hours after tea drinking. Remember, if guests come unexpectedly, the treat should be simple but tasty and artistic.
Karlov L., The man in the kitchen
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