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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hotels shouldn't use bedsheets as table cloths

30 replies

quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 16:13

We were there for two nights. It was quirky - a rambling old place, quite tired in decor, and old fashioned in fittings and services.

It's an Independent country house hotel - they hosted three weddings plus receptions, a private wine tasting and a regional political conference type event while we were staying.

This morning at breakfast, every table had bedsheets as tablecloths.

AIBU to think this was odd rather than quirky? I know all linen is boil washed but it was quite off putting!

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 15/07/2018 16:15

How do you know they were sheets?!

Notevilstepmother · 15/07/2018 16:15

How peculiar.

SimonBridges · 15/07/2018 16:15

How do you know it was a bed sheet? Was it a fitted one with elastic on the corners?

I would think that a bed sheet would be too slippery.

Shumpalumpa · 15/07/2018 16:15

Maybe these are just used for tables and not used on beds?

Bit odd though. How did you realise?

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/07/2018 16:15

YANBU. I once stayed somewhere where the table cloth was actually a shower curtain, with rings still attached.

rosesandflowers1 · 15/07/2018 16:16

A bit strange, but I couldn't get myself worked up over it. Unless the bedsheets were stained I'm sure they were perfectly functional tablecloths.

Allycumpooster · 15/07/2018 16:17

I’m curious, what gave them away as bed sheets? Were they fitted?
I don’t see a problem with it tbh.

Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 16:19

I realised because I noticed that the cloth on one of the smaller tables was dragging the floor on two sides then clocked that all the others the sheets were folded in two on the small tables (2/4 people) and spread out completely over the trestles for the larger parties eating together.

The seams/heming and fabric was definitely bed sheets.

OP posts:
Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 16:20

And yes, there was a slight stain on the cloth on our table - which I would normally out down to a food spill but given it was a bedsheet - it could have been anything!

OP posts:
MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 15/07/2018 16:31

Still don’t quite see how they were bedsheets from your explanation.

Maybe the hotel only had big tablecloths rather than different sizes for the tables.

Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 16:41

There's distinct difference between table cloths and bed sheets in terms of fabric weight and the edging/hemming - or at least, there has been in every hospitality trade linen catalogue I've ever ordered from for my businesses. I could go into the weight, blend and stitch type in great detail but I'm really not sure it's worth it.

These were definitely bed sheets. That's not in question in my mind.
I am Hmm about the use on breakfast tables!

OP posts:
rosesandflowers1 · 15/07/2018 16:47

If it was stained I'd feel a bit icky about it. But are you sure they were bedsheets?

Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 16:50

Yes. I'm certain they were bed sheets, not just cheap table cloths. The fabric, the hemming, the contrast stitching, the size.

They were definitely flat bed sheets!

OP posts:
Cakietea · 15/07/2018 16:53

Hosting 3 weddings and receptions over 2 days?! Probably ran out of table clothes.

Minisoksmakehardwork · 15/07/2018 16:53

I'd simply assume the place didn't know the difference or ordered sheets as the sizing was better/they were cheaper than regular tablecloths. As long as they aren't multipurpose I think yabu.

SharronNeedles · 15/07/2018 17:26

Are you sure they weren't just 70x144 table linen? I've had packs which have the odd sheet with a different material included, often more silky, so I put them to one side and use them all together so they match.
Also many suppliers will use coloured stitching on bedsheets so housekeeping can identify which size they are picking up at a glance eg red for a single, green for a queen etc. Did it have any coloured stitching?

CaptainKirkssparetupee · 15/07/2018 17:27

Maybe they were dressing the tables as ghosts?

Katescurios · 15/07/2018 17:30

Isn't one big hemmed piece of fabric the same as another big hemmed piece of fabric? I would assume they got a good deal on the bed sheets and thought it wouldn't matter, I've done it when I couldn't find a plain red tablecloth big enough at xmas.

Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 17:52

@Katescurios - do You use your red tablecloth on your bed when it's not Xmas?

I'm as certain as I can be that they were flat sheets - just like the one between the duvet and the (fitted) bottom sheet in our room.

Each to their own, and clearly I ABU according to the MN jury but I was put off my breakfast by the thought that someone had been sleeping on the cloth under my coffee cup - maybe I've become overly exacting as I've got older Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 17:53

@SharronNeedles - blue contrast stitching on the inside of the hems.

OP posts:
NiktheGreek · 15/07/2018 17:57

I worked for many years in the hotel trade and I would say that this is definitely something that is done occasionally. As you say several functions over the weekend so chances are they run out of tablecloths. From your description OP yes it would seem they are bedsheets.

Merryoldgoat · 15/07/2018 18:00

This thread is a bit mad...

A) there is an obvious difference between bed sheets and table cloths.

B) I would think it weird to use a sheet as a tablecloth. The light weight of the cotton wouldn’t absorb spills properly.

Anasnake · 15/07/2018 18:02

I doubt they just pulled them off the beds. They'll have come from the linen cupboard.

Flisspaps · 15/07/2018 18:02

Providing it's been washed, I really wouldn't mind.

Original poster
quirkyorweird · 15/07/2018 18:04

@Merryoldgoat - I did wonder; it seemed obvious to me they were bedsheets....so the chorus of "are you sure?" in response was unexpected!

OP posts:
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