Mary Estreicherowna: Krakow's social life and customs:
….. at the evening combined with a concert and social games, a sumptuous dinner was served at the wealthy lawyer Komor, which lasted an hour, and at a party at the Tomaszów Czechs' house, tea was served between half past eight, at nine o'clock cake with wine, at ten a Spanish cake, at eleven o'clock the ice cream was brought out twice, at half past one there was dinner (which the menu does not provide), then at two o'clock the shortcrust cake, also with wine, was distributed. There was no champagne, not even a prepared punch was served, for the lady of the house was careful, that there were too many toasts, and even as a result there was an argument between the two cousins…
… At the wedding of Marianna Bierkowska, the professor's daughter was with her cousin Łakomnicki 70 people at that time was a very small number, but the confectioner himself took more than 600 PLN. and the whole wedding cost over 1 000 PLN. There was a sumptuous supper at midnight, pledged in two rooms as a kind of buffet, and in the morning a sugar supper, funded according to custom by the groom. At every wedding there was no shortage of champagne, the bottle costing more or less a ducat.
During the wedding, it was common practice to cling, i.e.. taking off the veil and putting on a cap. When the newlyweds came to their apartment, they were given bread and salt on a tray, and the keys of the young hostess were solemnly handed out…”.
Marzena Saryusz Stokowska: Co, when, how and with whom:
…..You have to remember, that we are following a different line than before the war
- formerly, hospitality expressed an excess of food and drink - today any excess is considered a lack rather than the last word of good tone. Adapting the scale of admission to the resources at hand is the first and indispensable condition for successful admission…”
In some contradiction to the preached, so always democratic, the views are proverbial, which the author created personally and promotes in her book:
Show me the table, where you reign, and I'll tell you who you are”.
At what table the author reigns?
„…All types of vodka and tinctures it is served as a snack before dinner, Spanish wines like Xseres after the soup, Tarto, Marsala, for fish white French wines, for roasted meats, white or red French wines to choose from, at the Tokaj dessert, Maślacz, Malaga or old Polish honeys. Liqueurs and cognacs for black coffee…
… You need speed when handling, but without exaggeration. The servants should be quiet and peaceful. Servants in a black or liberal tailcoat, white tie and white gloves, or a maid in a black dress, a white apron and a forehead like that”
… Creating a pleasant mood is no less important, covering up someone else's not, downplaying incidents with a nice smile, like pouring wine on an expensive tablecloth, or breaking an ancient vase, that is the role of the lady and the master of the house. While receiving at home, they cannot forget about it for a moment. Always vigilant, they primarily took care of the guests, they have to play their part anyway, for it to come out naturally, keeping an appearance of carelessness, even if they felt the most weary…
… DINNER PLEASE. First of all, you need to think about the intellectual side of the meeting. You also have to avoid crowds, which always makes an unpleasant impression. You also need to know in advance how we will group guests. If there are people in the company, competing for someone else's sympathy, planting them in front of each other should be avoided, or joining "unfortunate threes."”. Individuals differing in political views should also be separated with a large space, for they will surely provoke a heated dispute - so much inadvisable at the table…
… WELL-COMPLETED DINING MENU (more exquisite):
Vodka, tinctures, sandwiches - served in the lounge before dinner
1. Coctaile — grzaneczki z serem szwajcarskim, grilled salmon.
2. Perliczki z sałatą lub kompotem.
3. Melba z owocami.
4. Czarna kawa.
The menu is more modest:
1. Kokilki z mózgu
2. Roast veal with blueberries
3. Orange and apple frozen lettuce with preserves and nuts. The excessive amount of alcohol served without restrictions is a very bad tone, and by triggering not always positive instincts, it often causes social dissonance and leaves a bad taste…
… Skilful adjustment of lighting also plays a significant role. A small table, enveloped in warm light shining from a colored lampshade, will make a nice impression.
The table stretched across the entire dining room was wonderfully set, where a large group of elegant ladies and gentlemen is to sit - it must be bathed in electric light.
Beautiful effects can be achieved by arranging candles in colorful lampshades on a round table. The mood caused by such lighting requires a harmonized company - that is, the mood with a muffler”, not fit for numerous gatherings.
Hosts should be mindful of their responsibilities: the lady is not allowed to disappear in the kitchen for long moments, and you can't sit down right after supper. They both have to be vigilant, combine or separate as situations arise”