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| Squirrel Napkin |
It is always good to begin work with a definition, so here goes. Napkins, or serviettes to the British among us, are squares of cloth or paper tissues used at the table for wiping the mouth and fingers while eating. You can also use them to cover clothes by tucking one into a shirt collar or jumper, or just placing it over your knee if you are in polite society.
Napkins are crumb-catchers, laundry bill savers and mouth dabbers after a meal. They can also be a signal. At a business dinner or society event, when the host or hostess places a napkin on his or her knee, then everyone knows the meal is about to begin. When the host or hostess stands and places the napkin to the left of the dinner dish, then everyone knows the meal has ended. They are essential when serving food or drinks in a public setting or for special dinners at home like Christmas dinner or with friends. They are a favourite with the catering and tourist trade and can be used at breakfast, lunch or dinner when dining in a hotel, café or fast-food outlet.
These charming devices are folded or sometimes presented in intricate designs. They can really help to create a relaxed dining experience and beautify a table setting. If you want to try this fancy fold for your own dinner party, go to the napkin wizard Jimmy Ng's YouTube demonstration. Enjoy!
In Roman times napkins were all kinds of sizes. The sudaria, (Latin for handkerchief) was pocket sized and a brow wiper. They needed this because of the hot Mediterranean climate that makes people sweat. Mappae, by contrast were large and placed over the edge of their sofa to save pieces of food staining it when the consumer was in a leaning position. The mappa (singular) was also used to wipe the mouth. Doesn’t dining look a cool affair then!
Each guest had his own mappa and when a meal/feast was over they used it as a doggy bag, filling it with leftovers from their feast. It is amazing how human nature does not change over time!
What has changed over time is what is called etiquette.
In the seventeenth century, when people still ate with their fingers, rich households set out large napkins to keep their dining area tidy. In those days, they had a napkin for every course. After they had finished each one, they let the napkin slip onto the floor, so they piled up for their servants to collect.
By contrast, the Victorians, who used much cutlery, introduced napkin rings to the table, still used today.
By the early twentieth century, a pantomime developed around use of napkins. Take a look at this excerpt from the Santa Ana Journal of 1937.
1. Never fold your napkin entirely unless it’s tea size.
2. When you use your napkin, lift only to a corner of the mouth.
3. If you are dancing, drop your napkin on your chair, not on the table.
Napkins today are made of linen, cotton or paper and are used at cocktails or at any meal.
Cocktail napkins are mainly ten inches square, while a napkin for dinner is eighteen inches square.
Expectations/Etiquette for a Dinner Today
1. Place the napkin on the lap during a meal.
2. Do not leave it on the table while eating.
3. When leaving the table for a pause, (would the Scots say a wee break?) place the napkin on a chair.
4. When the meal is over put the napkin where your forks were to the left of centre.
5. Don’t put the napkin back in the ring (Health and Safety).
6. Don’t dip it in the water glass.
By the early twentieth century, a pantomime developed around use of napkins. Take a look at this excerpt from the Santa Ana Journal of 1937.
1. Never fold your napkin entirely unless it’s tea size.
2. When you use your napkin, lift only to a corner of the mouth.
3. If you are dancing, drop your napkin on your chair, not on the table.
Napkins today are made of linen, cotton or paper and are used at cocktails or at any meal.
Cocktail napkins are mainly ten inches square, while a napkin for dinner is eighteen inches square.
Expectations/Etiquette for a Dinner Today
1. Place the napkin on the lap during a meal.
2. Do not leave it on the table while eating.
3. When leaving the table for a pause, (would the Scots say a wee break?) place the napkin on a chair.
4. When the meal is over put the napkin where your forks were to the left of centre.
5. Don’t put the napkin back in the ring (Health and Safety).
6. Don’t dip it in the water glass.
Expectations/Etiquette for a Cocktail Party
1. Place your napkin in the left hand between the middle ring finger as you hold the glass.
2. If you have a small plate put a corner of the napkin under your plate as you hold it.
3. Dab the lips before sipping.
Napkins reflect occasions such as weddings, business dinners, birthdays, seasons and religious festivals and can be embroidered accordingly. They also mean brand ie Ritz napkins, which give the customer the feel of high-society specialness.
Napkins give pleasure to people skilled in crafts, offering an outlet for their talent.
Here is a link to a short YouTube story about: Nigel the Niggly Napkin
Happy New Year!
Anne Gaelan (alias Anne G. Dilley)
Anne Gaelan (alias Anne G. Dilley)
Candacesmithettiquette.com
https://youtu.be/8-Zj12CRYxM
https://stephaniedesign.com
Etsy UK
6 comments:
Delightful. 👍
What a terrific article. What fun.
How could the Romans eat lying on their side.
Thank you Squirrel.
Good fun. Is that squirrel smoking a joint?
A great read.
I have napkin rings, they are a family heirloom and get used for special dinners.
Splendid festive blogging, Anne. Is that sartorial squirrel young Nutkin of the Ninth? (a Rosemary Sutcliff allusion). He looks very Roman. The history and etiquette of napkins turns out to be surprisingly interesting. Happy New Year to you.
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