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| Mom never stops being your mother |
The table napkin has a lot to do with good table manners. Whether you come from a family of wealth or simple surroundings, old fashioned table manners are akin to a "tell" in a poker game.
Manners "telegraph" who you are. Con men are the most polite people for a reason: They know that good manners instills trust and respect.
You generally find the napkin either to the left of the forks, beneath the forks or on the main plate. In a restaurant, the napkin may be folded in a fancy way and placed on the plate or in a glass.
Using a table napkin properly is more than just cleaning your face while eating spaghetti, BBQ ribs or other messy foods. Etiquette is a code of conduct that should be practiced at every opportunity and that includes how to use your napkin properly. Whether the napkin is made of paper or cloth, the manner of politely using a napkin stays the same.
Here are nine etiquette rules for the napkin:
1. Whether at home with your honey or away being a guest, after you're seated, wait for your host or guest of honor to pick up the napkin and place it on his or her lap. Use this signal as an indicator for you, the guest, to do the same.
2. Unfold your napkin. If it's a small napkin, completely open it. If it's a large dinner napkin, fold it and place it on your lap. Do not shake it open.
3. No matter what the occasion, you shouldn't flap your napkin around like a flag before placing it in your lap, and don't tuck your napkin into your shirt like a bib.
4. The napkin remains on your lap throughout the entire meal and should be used to gently blot your mouth, not swipe it across your face like a galute with no manners. Don't clean the cutlery with the napkin. NEVER use it to wipe your nose! Get a tissue or excuse yourself and go to the restroom.
5. Dab your mouth with the napkin before taking a drink. This prevents crumbs from falling into your glass.
6. Don't dip a corner of the napkin into your water glass for a quick clean-up of something dribbled on your tie. Never use your napkin as a handkerchief.
7. If you need to leave the table during the meal, place your napkin by your plate and quietly excuse yourself from the table. Never place your napkin on your chair, because when you sit back down, you could get a food spot on your backside.
8. Notice when the host or hostess puts their napkin on the table. This means the meal is over.
9. When the meal is over, do not fold your used napkin or wad it up on the table. Neatly scrunch it lengthwise. Place it to the right of your plate to signal you have finished eating.
Years ago, the rule was to place the napkin in your chair if you excused yourself during the meal. This placement was a signal to the wait staff that you would be returning. However, it is now acceptable to gently fold the napkin and place it to the left of your plate.
100 Classic Napkin Folds: simple and stylish napkins for every occasion: Over 700 step-by-step photographs show you how to make stunning folds to a professional level
