Unravelling the Secrets of Napkin Etiquette: Wipe, Fold, and Dine in Style.

​Have you ever faced the dinner table's most feared nemesis – the daunting, often befuddling, and strangely origami-like dinner napkin?  You're not alone. This seemingly harmless square of fabric, found slumbering peacefully on your plate, can cause surprising distress.  Do you wear it as a cape, tuck it into your shirt like a bib, or wave it like a surrender flag when you're too full?  Just remember, it's not a tissue, a handkerchief, or a magic carpet for food crumbs.  Handle with care!  Napkin etiquette is the proper use and handling of napkins during meals. Here are some common and elegant guidelines: 
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• Placement.  When you sit down at a dining table, unfold your napkin and place it on your lap. In more casual settings, you can place it on your lap as soon as you are seated. 
•  Unfolding.  Unfold the napkin not fully, but in half.  Avoid shaking or flicking it open.
•  Usage.  Throughout the meal, use your napkin to gently dab your mouth when needed.  Don’t make a huge display of vigorously wiping your mouth or using the napkin to clean or dry your clothing if a spill occurs. 
•  Placement while eating.  If you need to leave the table during the meal, place your napkin loosely folded on your chair. This signals to the waiter that you intend to return. 
•  Placement after the meal.  When you have finished your meal, place your napkin loosely folded on the left side of your plate.
•  Handling mishaps at the table.  If you accidentally spill something on the table or your lap, use your napkin to blot the spill gently. If the spill is significant, discreetly inform a server or host, and they will assist in cleaning it up. 

 
Top Tip >> These tips may vary depending on the cultural context and the formality of the occasion.  It's always a good idea to observe and follow the lead of your host or the people around you when it comes to using your napkin at the table.

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