to think you don't need a napkin under food?

[PeppermintCrayon]

Why is that if you order food in, say, Starbucks, they put a napkin on the plate, under the food? It's not necessary - plates are perfectly functional inventions, aren't they? - and surely just a waste of a napkin? Would they not make massive savings if they stopped doing this? Is it some kind of branding thing?

Melted cheese on a plate: can be eaten. Melted cheese on a soggy napkin: not so much.

Why do they do it?!

I have no idea but this is definitely a pet peeve of mine

I normally order an egg and bacon baguette in my local cafe, so when they put the napkin under it, it's full of runny egg yolk!

I HATE napkins under food. Why would you do that? Its perverse!

I may actually write to Starbucks and ask.

I would ask the staff but I'd probably end up looking like a total tit.

I would assume it is to soak up any grease so that it doesn't pool on the plate and make the food look revolting.

I HATE this practice! WeAreEternal's explanation makes good sense but it only ever happens to me in places where it's the only napkin you get, unless you go looking for more!

It is annoying, but it does help the food stop sliding off the plate as you carry it to your table.

Well, I want them to give me a napkin somewhere, and at least this way it won't flutter away and have me scrabbling on the floor.

I always thought they plonked it there just out if habit as it appears with the plate.

Awful. I had the dye from a red one leech into my sandwich once.

Do a tweet and ask them

I'm not on Twitter but have emailed and will report back.

Trills but this way the napkin is often rendered unusable!

Because asking on a per-plate basis won't eliminate the madness!

I suppose it saves seconds when putting in dishwasher no need to scrape off egg say but simply pick up napkin and throw in bin.

It only occurred to me relatively recently that at buffets the napkin is put on the plate so you don't need to pick up one separately. It always seemed a nuisance to end up with a crumby/soggy napkin and nothing to wipe your fingers with. Then I had a light bulb moment.

Perhaps the people in Starbucks just haven't realised this yet?

It drives me mental!!

Often it's the only napkin you get. The purpose of which should be to wipe fingers and mouth after eating. Generally rendered pointless cos it's already got food gunk on it!!
Or maybe I'm too messy an eater for these places!

I believe its to stop things flying everywhere when the people are bringing your food over.

I get really irritated by this! It must be hugely wasteful as well as making the napkin useless to the customer. Surely Starbucks must have an environmental policy - could ask them how it fits in with that?

Glad to see I'm not the only one to be bugged by this. My issue with it is the same as Oyd's. I want a clean napkin, not one that's already covered with cake crumbs before I've even started. Arses.

Its so they can give you a napkin without it falling off the plate.

I think the people saying about things flying off plates may have the answer.

It's to stop things wobbling/falling off the plate when you or the waiter is carrying them over.
Same with napkins between a cup and saucer. Keeps things more stable!
Clearly it has just been extended to otherwise stable foodstuffs...