How in Russia in ancient times, guests were greeted, what they treated and how they saw off

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In Russia, guests were greeted cordially and hospitably. Hospitality is a wonderful Russian trait that demonstrates not only a willingness to share some material benefits, but also to give a piece of your soul. It was believed that a person who respects people, shows generosity, will never be alone, his house will always remain filled with laughter and happiness. Hospitality was in everything: it was the reception of welcome guests, and the serving of dishes, and even an overnight stay. The owners could not only feed, but also give the last piece. Today, many people are locked into the digital world. Social phobia is rampant. But in the old days it was completely natural to meet, set the table, put to sleep in the best place. So it was accepted.

Why guests were brought out bread and salt

In Russia, guests were always welcome. When they met, the hosts bowed to the guest, treated them with bread and salt, tried to entertain, feed, drink, in general, surrounded them with care. When the meeting was scheduled, that is, the hosts knew that there would be guests, they began to prepare for this event in advance. And when the long-awaited visitors appeared, a loaf of salt was brought to the doorstep. This was done by the hostess, because she baked fragrant bread. He was laid on an embroidered towel and offered to the guests to taste a piece.

Bread in Russia symbolized prosperity, abundance, and as for salt, it has always been considered a special amulet. Such a meeting meant that the hosts wish the guests happiness, goodness and peace, and ask God to protect them. By the way, the owner and hostess could also receive a similar gift.

What they were treated to and what a strict order of serving the treats existed: lunch with pies is red

Dinner in Russia was also held according to strict rules. Continuing the theme of bread and salt, the owner offered everyone at the table a piece of bread sprinkled with salt. A special large plate was placed in the center of the table, into which the most delicious pieces were placed. This was done in order to emphasize the joy of meeting the guests: those whom the owner was especially happy with, he put food from this specially designed container. It was an expression of special respect.

Now it will seem strange, but the meal in Russia began with pies. Therefore, there is a saying "the hut is red in the corners, but the dinner is in pies." After the guests appreciated the taste of the pies, it was the turn of the second courses, meat and fish. As for the soups, they should have been eaten at the very end of the meal. Sweets and various desserts were eaten right after the soup. This is such a strange order, which seems unusual today - after all, everyone is accustomed to the fact that lunch begins with the first course.

Where the most welcome guest was seated and what is a red place

The guests were assigned the most important place in the hut - the red corner, which was located diagonally from the stove. The fact that this is the most revered place in the house is indicated by the name, meaning festive, beautiful, solemn. Here you could see icons, prayer books, the Bible. In this corner, they took food, blessed the young, prayed, performed various rituals that were associated with weddings, the birth of children, and funerals. And of course the table was an important part of the corner. Bursting with food, he was a symbol of prosperity, stability, and a strong family. It was here, in the red corner, that the guest was seated, emphasizing his importance and value, treating him, showing signs of attention. On other days, the host would sit at the table here, and if a wedding was being played, the young would sit here.

And they put them to bed: some on the bench, some on the stove

The meal ended, and the guests began to be accommodated for the night, put to bed. They were given the best places in the hut - shops. In peasant houses, there were both women's and men's and children's places. The benches were installed along the walls, and they connected the center of the house, that is, the red corner. They not only slept on them, but also sat during the day. When carrying out various rituals, this kind of peasant furniture personified a road, a long journey.

The longest shop was called the long one; women sat on it while embroidering, sewing or knitting. Men did not sit here, they were forbidden to do so. But women could not sit down on a short bench; only men sat on it while eating. There were also special benches, for example, a threshold - a kind of table. A shop with the amusing name of bony and with a carved horse's head was used for small handicraft work. For especially welcome guests, the best place was intended - a bed on the stove. It was always warm, cozy and comfortable there. Usually the oldest and youngest members of the family were located on a warm bed.

Drink on the road, sit on the path and why the road had to be a tablecloth

When guests gathered home, they were escorted, and a certain ritual was also used. To make the road easy and pleasant, they drank on the road, then it was necessary to sit on the path.

The tradition of drinking on the road originated from the veneration of wanderers in Russia. Many people wandered along the roads, left their home, and usually the goal was the same - the search for God. Wanderers sought the truth in their wanderings, deliberately rejected worldly joys, chose their own path of serving God. They evoked respect, they were treated very kindly. It was considered a good deed to give shelter to a traveler, and when he was getting ready to go, a glass was poured for him. And the road was an indispensable attribute of the traveler. Sit down on the path: it was believed that this way you can take energy with you at home, get protection during a long journey.

They sincerely wished the guests a good journey, gave gifts and treats. They said that the road was a tablecloth. This is because the roads in Russia were terrible, it was difficult to drive along them, and even harder to walk. This is how the expression “a tablecloth road” appeared - the desire for the path to be smooth, like a tablecloth on a festive table. Satisfied, well-fed, well-slept guests went home, keeping pleasant memories in their hearts and planning a return invitation.

But this all concerns the common people. At the top, there were often conspiracies to kill unwanted rivals. That's why Russia has its own history of the use of poisons.