Table etiquette is one of the important aspects of the culture of any society. Etiquette is the established order of conduct in any environment, in certain conditions. [2, с. 738]
In this article we will look at the rules of conduct at the table adopted in the North Caucasus. The Caucasus is situated between the poles of the Eurasian continent, the Far West and the Far East, where two radically different systems of values have emerged in the course of the historical interaction between man and nature, which represent the basis of man’s knowledge of the world and of him.
In the Caucasus, there are different religions, languages and peoples with different cultures in the same cultural space. We can identify similarities or commonalities in each of them. Although there are local features in each part of the region, we can see that they share a certain set of similarities. In this regard, we can talk about a special North Caucasian culture of behavior. [3, с. 187]
As the organization of society improves, so does the behavioral regulation. Specific prescriptions regarding behavior in various situations (including everyday ones) are formed, a ceremony of the most significant social events is formed, and a behavioral order reflecting the life of a certain social group appears. [1, с. 64]
In the historically established system of values of the peoples of the North Caucasus, scientists identify four main ones:
— Military style;
— Hospitality;
— The cult of seniority;
— Family relations.
Any life situation is the communication of people with different social statuses, according to which the norms of etiquette prescribe them a characteristic type of behavior. The diversity of social statuses in certain situations is subject to some regularity. It can be described by the simplest model having a common feature, which can be figuratively represented by the formula «domination — submission». There are several types of subordination that are important for the inhabitants of the North Caucasus:
— Dominance is subordination;
— In front of the back;
— The man is a woman;
— Older — younger;
— Noble — simple;
— Strangers — their own;
— The guest is the master. [3, с. 124]
Despite the conventionality of this scheme, it reflects the general principles of etiquette behavior. For example, when meeting two men, the youngest in age or social status should be the first to welcome (the opposition «older — younger»). In the rites of hospitality, the guest has etiquette privileges before the host regardless of age and status («guest is host»). [3, с. 128]
They were mainly formed in the conditions of traditional society, although they still serve as the basis of cultural and mental identity at present. The values of the mountaineers were embodied in different spiritual values: morals, ethics, and morals.
There are two kinds of feasts in the North Caucasus: festive and every day. An ordinary feast is a feast where family members, close relatives and neighbors gather, and is a simplified version of etiquette, which is held in an apartment building or in the yard. A solemn feast is arranged for an important occasion: the arrival of an honored guest, several guests from afar, a significant event for the family or the village. A large number of people take part in the event. It is preceded by serious preparation, and it takes place in accordance with many rules and traditions.
A table is a process involving a strict hierarchy of participants. All participants are divided into two categories: «guests» and «not guests». Guests are those who come from afar, not guests — all relatives of the host and his closest neighbors, and sometimes all residents of the village. Everyone who belongs to the category of «guests» enjoys privileges, unlike «their own». This is what defines their roles.
Before meals, all guests perform the ritual of washing their hands: young men pour water into their hands from jugs. According to etiquette, it should be done with the right hand and right in the center of the pelvis.The towel should be served freely on both hands, and the right one should be given out a little forward. In the past, girls from the host’s family used to soap their feet to the guests of honors.
The traditional North Caucasian feast, according to customs, should be held without quarrels, sudden movements, loud laughter and drunkenness. In any case, you can’t get drunk at a North Caucasian feast — in this case a person will be politely taken out of the table, but it will be considered a disgrace. He who drinks a lot will always be silently condemned by those present. One should not drink without toasts.
It is forbidden to stand arbitrarily from the table or sit in someone else’s place during meals. [3, с. 132-146]
Список используемой литературы:
- Байбуркин А.К., Топорков А.Л. У истоков этикета. – М.: Пресса, 1990. – 123 с.
- ЛопатинВ.В., Лопатина Л.Е.Русский толковый словарь. – М.: Русский язык, 1998. – 834с.
- Ханаху Р.А. Традиционная культура Северного Кавказа: вызовы времени (социально-философский анализ). – Ростов-на-Дону: 2001. – 192 с.
