All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope. – Winston Churchill

 Napkin Etiquette 101

Napkin Etiquette is essential in practicing proper table etiquette and having good manners. Napkin etiquette teaches us the right way to use our napkin at the dinning table.

An elegantly set table will display table linens and fine china. Delicate details such as the choice of napkins never goes unnoticed. Guests love the feel and look of a beautifully set table. A formal dinner is not only a feast for the palate but a feast for the eye.

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Napkins are to be used with all our meals. We should make an effort to follow the protocol of using cloth napkins with most of our meals. Paper napkins should not be used for home dinners, except for very casual meals or outdoors BBQ, picnic or fast food restaurants.

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Napkins vary in colors, patterns, fabrics and sizes. the formal dinner napkin will always match the table cloth color and fabric and is bigger in size than her lunch and breakfast counterpart. White and cream are the colors you will find for very formal functions. Colors and patterns are to be expected in theme or less formal events.

In a formal setting you should find your napkin to the left of the fork or in center of charger plate.

In a less formal setting you can find the napkin in a water or wine glass, under the fork, or in a napkin ring placed on the charger or on the table near the plate.

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Within a few minutes of sitting you can unfold your napkin gently and place it on your lap. A dinner napkin does not need to be opened completely you can place it on your lap folded in half. For lunch, brunch, breakfast or tea party, the napkin is usually smaller in size and can be placed on your lap completely open.

Your napkin should not leave your lap throughout dinner, if you really must get up place napkin left of your plate or fork gently unfolded. In a less formal dinner you may leave the napkin on your chair.

Do not use you napkin to clean utensils, or to dip in water to clean a stain, or to blow you nose, to wash your face.

At a formal dinner, if your napkin fell to the floor do not pick up, you should discreetly let the waiter know and the wait staff will bring you another one. The idea is to keep dinner flowing with no disturbances.

Never tuck your napkin in your shirt collar, like a bib.

Never spit food into your napkin.

When you use your napkin do it delicately.

When dinner is over you place your used napkin unfolded on the left of you plate, never on your plate, or if table was cleared leave napkin on the table where your dinner plate was placed.

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“I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. It’s because of them I’m doing it myself.” – Albert Einstein