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Original poster

Do you place your napkin on your lap?

116 replies

WhatNextNowForDS · 02/04/2023 15:39

Just that.
Been out for a few meals this year and it seems I am uncommon in this, although it was always what i was taught. (Overseas)

Is it not a done thing in the uk?

OP posts:
Needapadlockonmyfridge · 02/04/2023 17:54

Yes, always on lap.

saveforthat · 02/04/2023 17:55

SaturdayGiraffe · 02/04/2023 17:47

I eat it.

Should I not eat it?!

😁

saveforthat · 02/04/2023 17:55

I don't know anyone who doesn't put it on their lap.

Violinist64 · 02/04/2023 17:57

Where else would it go? It is nothing to do with class - l am definitely not upper middle class. I know one person who tucks it under their chin but they have a disability which means that they sometimes spill food on their clothes. Everyone else has it on their laps.

PegasusReturns · 02/04/2023 18:01

Cloth on the lap, paper stays by the side of your plate .

KateAusten · 02/04/2023 18:03

Yes

ExtremelyDetermined · 02/04/2023 18:08

I only put them on my lap in restaurants and then mainly only if they are cloth ones as paper ones always seem to fall off. If I'm eating on the sofa at home and leaning back I tuck it under my chin to catch any spills.

I can't say I pay any attention to what others do though.

Schnooze · 02/04/2023 18:14

I still do it in restaurants and with guests at home.

Exl · 02/04/2023 18:14

Yes. My parents taught me it was common (or Italian) to tuck it into your collar and that polite people place it on their lap.

🤷‍♀️

Klunt · 02/04/2023 18:21

My husband and his family do, they’re all upper middle class.

I don’t and my family don’t. Working class.

ActDottie · 02/04/2023 18:22

I do if it’s a linen napkin, I don’t if it’s a paper one.

ItsCalledAConversation · 02/04/2023 18:23

Yes, but only once you have ordered. Before that it stays folded on the table.

Kranke · 02/04/2023 18:25

Yes, on my lap. Surely it just gets in the way on the table. I haven’t seen anyone keep it on the table.

FromEden · 02/04/2023 18:27

I'm shocked that some people don't know that you're supposed to do this lol. Sometimes the waiter even puts it in your lap for you which I don't like at all

SunnieShine · 02/04/2023 18:30

I use mine as a bib if I'm eating anything messy. Just seems like common sense to me.

ItsCalledAConversation · 02/04/2023 18:31

Sticking it in your collar is only for the very young or very old. If you can’t eat as an adult without getting food down yourself then you’re doing summat wrong.

Yesthatismychildsigh · 02/04/2023 18:31

Itstarts · 02/04/2023 15:43

Weeknight dinner at home, no. Dinner at home with guests, yes. At a restaurant, yes.

This.

kimchifix · 02/04/2023 18:35

I've never seen anyone leave it on the table. The reason I wouldn't is because it may impede my hand's progress to the wine glass.

RegainingTheWill2023 · 02/04/2023 18:39

ohfibonacci · 02/04/2023 17:11

Lap. It gives me the 🤢when people use it to wipe their mouths then put it all gross next to their plate as they carry on eating. Yuck.

This was what I was going to say.
If a napkin is set on the table I'd put it on my lap.
I'd tolerate an unopened one left on the table (just) but if it's picked up and used, it should go on the user's lap not back on the table

HappyMe6 · 02/04/2023 18:43

No, I don’t usually drop my food, I leave it on the table

ThePoshUns · 02/04/2023 18:45

Where else would you put it?

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 02/04/2023 18:48

Always. What else do I do with it?

OzempicClicker · 02/04/2023 18:54

Yes of course if it's a cloth one. I wouldn't do it with a paper napkin.

7catsisnotenough · 02/04/2023 18:57

Always on your lap!

memesndmoreme · 02/04/2023 19:04

CurlewKate · 02/04/2023 15:55

Where else do you put it?

Some people keep it folded on the table next to their plate