Serviettes. Did I ask for something strange?

[ALongHardWinter]

There were no serviettes on the stand for sauces,straws etc so I asked the server for some. He gave me a funny look and said 'Some what?' I repeated my request but he still looked blank. So I said 'Tissues?'. He said 'Oh right. I've never heard them called serviettes'. Really? That's what I've always called them. Anyone else encountered a blank look when asking for a supposedly common place item?

I've always thought serviette was cloth and napkin was disposable!

I think that's because I think of having a cloth serviette for a more formal or special dinner. I just roll mine you and shove in one of these rings but wish I could make a swan or something!

And napkins for finger food, parties, picnics etc.

Every day use, we just stick the old roll of kitchen paper towel on the table

My grandma used to call cloth napkina serviettes.

Proper not-posh, us.

Bertrand - I'm glad your dd has got a good job, but I just thought you maybe wouldn't be too thrilled at her working in a private school when you are so opposed to them.
I dunno - maybe similar to one of John Major's children joining Momentum, or the child of someone who works for the League against cruel sports going hunting.
Anyway, i hope the job goes well and she enjoys it.

She hasn’t actually got the job yet -waiting to hear. But thank you for your good wishes. And of course both she and I would rather the job was somewhere else. But unfortunately state schools do not have the money to fund roles like the one she has applied for.

For scientific purppses I asked DS(12) he knew both napkin and serviette (team serviette here) as well as sweltering, meander and rummage - have brung him up well here!

And may I throw in: Whatever happened to the 'moist towelettes' we used to get in our once yearly KFC?

Making a napkin look like a swan is another step too far.

BertrandRussell

"Bertrand, this is a genuine question, but how do you feel about your dd applying for a job in a private school given your strong opposition to such institutions?"

Well, obviously I have disowned her. hmm. It's a good job and perfect experience for her. What do you think I should feel?

Erm...somewhat compromised?

Why would I feel compromised by something my adult daughter did?

I worked in Greggs and a couple of restaurants as a student and it was always serviettes. I don’t say it though, I think I’d say napkin.

Thank you for replying Bertrand.
Fingers crossed she gets the job.

Saw this in work and thought of this thread!

SON wouldn’t have worked!