Table setting

The table setting (French couvert ) is the equipment and arrangement of cutlery and crockery as well as any accessories such as napkins and place cards etc. and decoration on the dining table for one person. It is ready before it has taken place and can be completed during the meal for the guest.

Historically belonged in private households with employed persons the table bells to cover the host or hostess.

Purpose

The setting depends on the type of service, the occasion and the time of day ( a coffee table, for example, less complex covered as a place setting for an evening banquet ). The equipment is usually depending on anything else environment ( interior ) of the private dining room or - matic or restaurant type and levels, and depending on the occasion and menu. They range from the simple setting with cutlery, plate and drinking glass up to the " complete place setting with silverware " for multi-course banquets and gala dinners etc.

The setting is an expression of hospitality dar. It is designed to give guests well-being and by a coherent ensemble of order and elegance. Thus, the overall impression of the panel is positively underlined and encouraged the user for consumption. A feature of different wastefulness is also the distance between the place settings and is included ( restaurant guide, etc.) in the classification of restaurants in a review.

Components

Place Settings Fine Art - in a private environment as well as in the restaurant business - may consist of several glasses and cups, plates and cutlery several parts, the latter should be used depending on the menu sequence from outside to inside. The glasses and cups are used only according to drinks served. Glasses are usually of size set, the smallest right, or front, the largest left and rear.

The cover is part of the table arrangements, which also includes a wide range of supplementary components may include, for example:

• The table tops (tablecloths, table runners, placemats )
• Napkins, partly also with Napkin Ring
• Underplate

• Spice shaker, partly as pails or Plattmenagen with spices, etc., or spice mills
• Wine cooler, formerly cooler for glasses
• Wine and water carafes
• Coasters for bottles and carafes

• Place cards with the guest's name, partly also with table card holder
• Menu card with details of the individual meal and the wines selected to etc. and partly also with an indication of the occasion for eating, etc.

• Possibly a finger bowl
• Toothpick, mostly for reasons of hygiene in individual packages; partly also in toothpick holders or containers
• Ashtray ( going by the increasing restrictions of smoking return ); partly with matches, often referred to as matchbooks with advertising imprint of the premises etc.
• More table decorations, such as candles, small sculptures, centerpieces, flowers and bouquets
• A table trash can (now mostly just for breakfast in hotels and pensions)

Setting rules

International, regional and according to the different occasions there are different rules for what, how many, and where drinking vessels, crockery and cutlery etc. are covered.