You’ve been using your restaurant napkin wrong, but etiquette expert William Hanson will help you.
Mr. Hanson has drawn up a tiktok video that has gone viral, with more than 670,000 views, in which he explains the do’s and don’ts of fighting with napkins.
In the video, also published on Mr Hanson’s instagramThe Merlin of good manners explains that the napkin when you get up from the table and have the intention of returning – let’s say to go to the bathroom – is placed on your seat, or on the arm of the chair, if it has one.
Pro tip: “never put it on the back of the chair.”
Mr Hanson continues: ‘If you leave the table completely because you have finished your meal, it is placed in a neat pile on the left side of your environment. It is not necessary to fold it into a neat shape.’
William Hanson has produced a TikTok video that has gone viral, with over 670,000 views, in which he explains the do’s and don’ts of napkin fighting.
And Hanson added in a caption: “And certainly don’t fold it into a swan shape – common!”
When you finish placing the napkin on the table, is there any point on the table that is prohibited?
Hanson told MailOnline Travel: ‘Yes, avoid anything like the plate or cutlery. All you need is an empty surface; normally, the space to the left of where the bread plate was when you started eating, but which will have been cleared after the first course or main course.’
Do the same rules apply to paper napkins?
Mr Hanson said: ‘In general, yes. Paper napkins tend to fly away, especially when eating in a drafty place or outdoors. It would be nice to put the napkin under the plate when you’re done so it weighs less.’
In the video, the Merlin of good manners explains that the napkin when you get up from the table and intend to return – say to go to the bathroom – is placed on your seat, or on the arm of the chair, if it has one. Pro tip: “never put it on the back of the chair.” And never bend it into a shape
If the napkin has crumbs, what is the etiquette for throwing them away?
Mr Hanson replied: “You can brush them lightly on the ground, but only if they are few.” If not, leave them there and be careful how you fold the napkin at the end to try to contain the crumbs inside.
Is the purpose of the napkin not only to collect crumbs on your lap but also to clean your hands and mouth?
Mr Hanson commented: “Yes, the napkin is multi-purpose, although there really shouldn’t be too much dirt on the napkin when you wipe it with your mouth. The food should go into your mouth, not around it. If you end up with a dirty napkin , Something’s wrong.’
For more information about Mr. Hanson, visit his Tik Tok and instagram profiles. His new book, Just Good Manners (Random Penguin House), is due out on September 12, 2024. It is billed as “a witty, authoritative guide to British etiquette,” in which William shares “his definitive guide on how to charm and delight those around you in every situation with idiosyncratic authority “.