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Summary of article:
High-end restaurants even have etiquette for cloth napkins. Experts remind you to lay them down when you sit down, put them on a chair when you leave the table, replace them if they fall off, pat them gently instead of wiping them, and put them away neatly after meals to show respect.
Table etiquette is more than just knowing which fork to use and whether or not to keep your elbows on the table. Many good restaurants use cloth napkins, and there are rules for napkin use. Southern Living interviewed Dylan Emerson, field manager at Brennan’s of Houston, a fine dining restaurant in Houston, Texas, to share the basic tips and etiquette of using napkins.
Emerson said you can unfold the napkin and place it on your lap immediately after taking a seat at the restaurant. This is different from a private dinner. Guests don’t need to wait for the host to be seated. When dining at a restaurant, you can instantly relax as long as you’re seated. He recommends folding the handkerchief in half towards the waist so that you can easily lift the top layer to wipe your mouth.
Emerson mentions five napkin numbers. The first is to use the napkin as a bib. As easy as it is to stain your clothes while eating, don’t use a napkin as a makeshift bib. “Never use a handkerchief tucked into your clothing, collar or belt as a bib.”
The second is placing it in the wrong place. If you need to step away from the table during the meal, Emerson recommends folding your napkin into a loose square and placing it on a chair so the server knows the seat is filled. Emerson said the most common mistake his customers make is placing a napkin on the plate. He said he knows his restaurants receive travelers from all over the world and each country has its own culture and customs. But placing a napkin on the plate when leaving the seat will prevent the service staff from knowing whether the guest has finished eating or is simply leaving temporarily and does not want the plate taken away. Doing this may also make the napkin dirty and it will need to be changed.
If a handkerchief accidentally falls on the floor, do not pick it up yourself. Emerson said food at high-end restaurants is different from home or ordinary restaurants. If a napkin accidentally falls on the floor, do not go under the table to pick it up. This will stain your hands. You should ask the service staff to bring you a new napkin.
When using a napkin to clean your mouth, Emerson recommends wiping rather than blotting, and dabbing the inside of the napkin to hide stains. He also recommends gently pressing your lips to a napkin before sipping to avoid leaving greasy marks on your wine glass.
After a meal, do not crumple the napkin and throw it on the table. In restaurants with good service, placing napkins neatly on the table after a meal is recognition and appreciation of the service provided by the restaurant staff. Emerson described it as a friendly gesture between the guest and the waiter. He suggested folding the napkin into a simple square shape and placing it on the left side of the plate. There is no need to fold it into the perfect shape before eating.
Summary FAQ
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As soon as you sit down, you can unfold the napkin and place it in your lap without waiting for other people or the host to sit. It is recommended to fold it in half towards the waist so that you can easily lift the top layer to wipe your mouth while eating.
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The napkin should be folded into a loose square and placed on the chair to let the server know the seat is still occupied. Do not place it on the dinner plate, otherwise it will easily lead to misunderstanding and the napkin will get dirty.
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Don’t tuck napkins into your collar or belt like a bib, and don’t pick them up after dropping them; Wipe your mouth gently rather than forcefully. After the meal, fold the handkerchief neatly and keep it on the table or on the left side of the plate.
