AIBU- cake on napkins

[snototterly]

AIBU to not understand why cake in cafes is usually served on a napkin on a plate? Granted this is not the biggest issue in my life, or hopefully anybody's, but why do cafes and restaurant do this? Surely everyone would rather just eat food directly on a plate, as every other type of food is usually served? What is it about cake, or scones that entitles them to a napkin under them?

[Goldrill]

Café Nero does it. It drives me a little bit mad every time, because it's usually the sticky chocolate cake and so you can't use the napkin at all, despite having equally sticky children. Total waste of paper, in a world which is supposed to be wasting less.

[multivac]

It's definitely an attempt to compensate for doilylessness.

[Elledouble]

I'm currently in a naice local coffee shop to BF my son MN break and have had a cake with my coffee (purely in the name of research you understand. It was served with a napkin slightly to one side of the plate and it was very very nice.

[Provencalroseparadox]

Hate this. So annoying

[Notso]

I don't think I have ever had cake served on a napkin in a cafe

However, I hate it when buffets have the plates and napkins all stacked together. What a waste of time.
It's the kind of thing MIL would do, faffing for the sake of something to do. Just put out the plates and put out the napkins then get yer grubby mitts off them.
She also wraps everything in foil which gives me the boaks as she reuses it.

[Pointlessfan]

Whatever you wrap birthday cake in the icing all comes off. I don't understand why you always have to take cake home from parties, why not just eat in there and save the need to wrap it at all??

[MaxPepsi]

I too have pondered over this.

I came to the conclusion that a napkin on the plate but under food is the poor mans version of a doily!

As for those that pile buffet food onto the napkin they need a good telling off ......yes DH I am looking at you! Bloody infuriates me - but he doesn't use them anyway and that is another thread in itself!

[MrsHathaway]

Also I hate the obligatory birthday party cake wrapped in a paper napkin. I know it's part of the fun [puke] but there are two alternative options which don't result in spoiled cake:

(1) Wrap cake in greaseproof paper before wrapping the special party napkin round it.

(2) Wrap cake in foil.

[MrsHathaway]

It absorbs all the juices and goes soggy so you end up picking bits of it out of your mouth.

EXACTLY THIS. Cakey napkin and napkiny cake. Bleuch.

The correct arrangement is napkin-plate-food. Obviously. I am teaching my DC accordingly. We have a buffet to go to on Monday. It's a funeral so I can't whinge, but I can quietly move our napkins.

[OurBlanche]

To keep the plate clean

Reminds me of those adverts for those ultra thin/Always/Daily pantyliners...

DH: What are they for?
Me: keeping your knickers clean
DH: But...
Me: I know, I know

[CoodleMoodle]

And he does it whether it's paper, plastic, ceramic, etc. I think he does it because he knows it winds me up!

[CoodleMoodle]

My DH does this! If we go anywhere with buffet style food, he puts the napkin on the plate and the sausage rolls or whatever on top, to 'keep the plate clean'. It infuriates me and he doesn't understand why... it's just weird!

[NightWanderer]

Maybe it's to make washing up easier.

[OurBlanche]

Then we don't disagree in the main

[bigbadbarry]

I disagree. They should be served with a napkin.

[OurBlanche]

Ah, but burgers and tacos and other hand held, drippy things should be served on/in a napkin.

But never cake or horses doovries.

[Seriouslyffs]

I'm convinced and reassured by Elledouble's post.
But RNBrie
"I was very sad about it! I spent an unusual amount of time on the bus on the way home wondering why they do it."
Possibly the most thoughtful and likeable post I've ever read.
Who knew someone's musings on toasters and napkins could be so- can't think of the word- evocatively heartwarming

[bigbadbarry]

My gym serves burgers and tacos on a piece of paper, on a plate. It absorbs all the juices and goes soggy so you end up picking nits of it out of your mouth. Vile.

[Pointlessfan]

I'd never thought about it before but now you mention it, it's really weird!

[Bloodybridget]

Agree it is mad. I want a clean napkin to wipe hands and mouth, not one that is greasy and crumby.

[Xmasbaby11]

It is very upsetting!

[OurBlanche]

I used to make up the pile of paper plates, starting with a napkin, ending with a plate, so you would take a plate with a napkin underneath it.

My boss used to wander round after me, smiling in a particularly patronising manner, and pop a napkin on top because "Dear Blanche, she never remembers, does she?".

I have no idea why it has become the done thing. It makes no sense.

[Hihohoho1]

Indeed it's mad. Cake not as bad as melted cheese. Tis wierd.

RBBrie excellent thoughtful post. I felt your pain on the bus.

[Jelliebabe1]

Toasted rolls / sandwiches on napkins make me want to weep.

[nextusername]

YANBU. It's a waste of paper and no-one wants to eat a napkin.