... to wonder where in the hell the napkins are?

[Snuffalo]

Had dinner at a friend's house last night, food was great, but not a napkin in site. Not even a scrap of kitchen roll. Every meal at my MILs is the same.
We use cloth napkins at our house - we all leave them at our place at the table and use them for a couple of days, and just chuck them in with the tea towels to wash and grab a fresh one when we need to. Obviously freshly washed ones for everyone when we have guests.
I feel really awkward eating without a napkin in my lap. I rarely actually use it but when I need it, it's there. Am I the weird one or are the napkin-free people the weird ones?

I had to take napkins and ring (with name engraved) to boarding school in the 60s, our napkins were washed and starched weekly. How times have changed.

Reminds me of half board ski holiday in the early 90s. We were staying in a small hotel. Waiter gave each of us an envelope at the first evening meal and asked us to write our names on it - so that he could fold, save and reissue our linen napkins at every meal all week. We weren't sure whether it was some 'forrin' custom or just gross.

Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.

Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs in the grate.

It's ever so close in the lounge dear,
But the vestibule's comfy for tea
And Howard is riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me

Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know that I wanted to ask you-
Is trifle sufficient for sweet?

Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I'm afraid the preserve's full of stones;
Beg pardon, I'm soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.

Can anyone remember the story about an older man and a younger man looking in a shop window and the younger one (in some versions Prince Charles or Rees-Mogg) asking what the tiny bracelets were? It’s very funny is all in the telling...

@ElloBrian
Learned that in elocution.
Loved it ever since

Americans call sanitary towels napkins

I bloody love napkin rings... We have proper napkins with themed napkin rings if possible when we're eating at the table. (This may need to calm down when DD is old enough to eat at the table with us.) (And yes I know how ridiculous I am.) Paper towel readily available when we're eating on the sofa.

I'm not horrified when I eat at friends' horses and there's nothing but I do think they're silly as they all know how messy I am.

(This is definitely the most outing thing I've ever posted on Mumsnet).

Of course nappies are napkins as well.

We always use paper serviettes with each meal. Have to really as we are all gannets

We have fresh cloth ones for each evening meal.

We do have napkin rings but curre tly we like those folds where the cutlery is folded in to the napkin

@ChaosMoon

I'm not horrified when I eat at friends' horses and there's nothing but I do think they're silly as they all know how messy I am.

If the horses aren't using napkins, what is the world coming to? 😜

I have about 20 linen napkins. We napkins at every meal. It saves a fortune in kitchen roll and the napkins just go in with whatever wash is on. I never iron them as they seem to come out reasonably well after the wash. I like to be able to wipe away the red wine stains on my mouth. It’s not just for mopping up accidents. And it’s nice. I use my favourite wine glasses and crockery every day as well even if we are just sitting on the sofa.

Napkins at my house.

If it's just me and DH ill bring out a piece of kitchen roll each but any guests and the cloth napkins are part of the table setting.

We didn't have them in our family growing up but I have tried to teach the DC some good table manners. it worked for some of 'em

We mostly just have one family napkin on the table... Changed every few days...

We share

We have clean cloth napkins everyday.

Ironing napkins is one of my favourite things to do. I know, I know, I'm sad. It's so satisfying though - listen to radio, glass of wine, ironing napkins. I'm busy, work full time, but it's really good down time. Like i said I know I'm probably a sad case.

The house can be a complete disaster. Laundry piled high, messy rooms etc but all is well if the napkin drawer is in order.

You're quite right @CheddarandCrackers. I try not to judge but my equine friends have a lot to answer for.

You don't just lick your fingers then wipe them on your jeans?
The Pi house is more of a kitchen roll situation, mostly because it pains me to see people wipe their mouths/hands on my nice (white!) cloth napkins, especially if it's a tomato based food! Just call me Monica, but no one uses the fancy plates or napkins! I don't have 11 categories of towel though!

Genuinely don't know anyone that uses napkins daily in real life.
Mil uses them for occasions but that's it.

Do you use doilies too?

We never use them except for Christmas when we get out the sparkly ones. I'm able to eat without throwing food all over myself.

I put the kitchen roll (if we have some in) on the table if we are having something you can eat with your fingers.

Otherwise it's just wash hands after.

Only on special occasions. Or eating out.
Baby wipes otherwise. Must think of a more sustainable method, but I need something damp.

Have always used cloth napkins, I even had one in packed lunch box as a child.

Wouldn't eat without a napkin - although I regularly spill food down me

Kitchen roll on the table for us

No napkins but we have a stash of cloths for dishcloths, hand and face wiping, (they're all old and stained and not for guests and all made from old muslins, t towels and T-shirt's) kids use them like they would kitchen roll and chuck them in the wash bucket with the tea towels. I often make them use them again as they have a habit of wiping one finger then leaving them lying around!!

Wiping isn't the same as washing. I would assume once someone's wiped their mouth or fingers they're still going to wash hands/face so it's not a big deal if you've used the cloth twice!

I appreciate I'm unusual and everyone I know uses kitchen roll and disposable jay cloths. My mil always asks for kitchen roll at my house, she can't get her head round it!