https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:08:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575949 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:50:43 +0000 PawPrints 2575949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At restaurants, cloth napkin is on my lap. At home, there has never been a napkin inside our house in 7 years living here. We don't really do finger food - everything is cutlery; so our hands and mouths stay clean. </p> <p>My parents are big into paper napkins and always ask, and DH and I are usually like "uh I think we have some paper towels if you really want?...." I haven't noticed anybody else using paper napkins at home. Kind of figured it was a generational thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575935 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:40:46 +0000 snowjewelz 2575935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like a big cloth one at 'fancy' restaurants right? Haha. If so, lap. I voted table thinking about disposables lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575865 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:44:20 +0000 NCSUchick27 2575865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it is a cloth napkin it always goes in my lap. Cheap paper napkins usually are on the table by my plate. If I try to put a cheap paper napkin in my lap it usually ends up on the floor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575856 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:37:27 +0000 ShootingStar 2575856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always on my lap at restaurants. Next to my plate at home though. I always have a packet of saline wipes in my purse and I use those on DS when we're out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575851 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:35:24 +0000 Mrsbells 2575851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I leave it on the table unless it's a really fancy dinner and everyone else has it on their lap </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575847 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:32:41 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2575847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sapphire: fancy! I use cloth when we have company over. </p> <p>@Cherrybee: you are like an Unicorn to me. :happy: I only know one of other person that ate that neatly her napkin never left her lap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575820 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:20:48 +0000 sapphire 2575820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: we use cloth at home so we can reuse. It does seem like a lot of people use paper towels though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575760 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:39:52 +0000 ElbieKay 2575760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have yet to meet the paper napkin that will stay on my lap for more than sixty seconds before slipping off to the floor. So I improvise with paper napkins. If you want me to use proper etiquette, then give me a proper napkin!</p> <p>My napkin almost always goes to my lap if it's cloth. These days, it sometimes winds up back on the table if it gets too gross from wiping up after my 2yo. Sometimes there is just too much ketchup flying around the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575711 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 07:33:25 +0000 Alivoo01 2575711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On my lap, but it's not opened up to cover my lap. Just sits there or under my lap so it doesn't fall off when I reach over to help feed DS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575693 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 07:09:22 +0000 catomd00 2575693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lap always. I can't stand looking at used napkins while I eat lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575692 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 07:04:00 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2575692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my hand. I'm terrible about crumbling napkins into nothing. If it's cloth at the end of the meal it's really wrinkled. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575688 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 06:38:02 +0000 honeybear 2575688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lap. We use cloth napkins for every meal at home. I guess I sometimes leave paper napkins (when we encounter them out somewhere) on the table within reach, just because they feel like they'll float away or fall off my lap and sometimes they're so small there isn't much chance of them actually catching a crumb! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575687 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 06:37:07 +0000 Foodnerd81 2575687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's cloth it's always in my lap. Paper out at a "restaurant" (using the term loosely to include diners and fast food) it's probably half and half. </p> <p>At home I often rip a paper towel in half to use as a napkin as I eat in front of the TV. (If LOs are asleep). :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575684 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 06:17:23 +0000 Cherrybee 2575684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I just don't get it on my hands and mouth. I use cutlery. I've just checked with my friend, who I'm out with right now, and she doesn't use s napkin at home either...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575682 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 05:59:51 +0000 erinbaderin 2575682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like @cabbagerose, cloth in my lap, paper on the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575681 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 05:56:09 +0000 DesertDreams88 2575681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I almost never use a napkin, either. Now that I am thinking about it, with almost all of my meals, I don't need to wipe my hands or mouth. My meals usually require silverware but they don't have dressings or sauces that get messy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575680 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 05:39:36 +0000 mrsbookworm 2575680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always in my lap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575679 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 05:07:39 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2575679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always use two napkins when I can- one for my lap and one on the table. If I can only have one napkin it goes in my lap and I pray it doesn't fall because I don't have a back up. My meal is less enjoyable unless *I know* a napkin is within reach. :silly: </p> <p>@Cherrybee: what do you use to wipe your hands and mouth with during dinner at home?</p> <p>@sapphire: same! I always wonder why the napkin seems to be the afterthought? I figure a lot of people use paper towels as a napkin for everyday use (I know we do when we deplete our take out napkin stash) and since buying a new roll is just about as fun as buying toilet paper people try to cut back on paper towel use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575671 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 02:51:33 +0000 808love 2575671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: lol!! LO totally wipes her fingers on the table, chair, anything but a napkin. So I still have to remind how and when to use the napkin. It just doesn't come naturally to her. By using my napkin, I'm 'modeling' and theoretically she will follow by example. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575670 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 02:44:23 +0000 Cherrybee 2575670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: When you say modelling napkin use, what are you doing with it? </p> <p>I feel really déclassé now!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575669 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 02:42:59 +0000 Cherrybee 2575669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At a restaurant, assuming its a paper serviette, I will probably have wiped E's nose with it before the food even arrives! Pre kids, it would have just sat on the table. At home, I dont use napkins unless I'm holding a dinner party, and then they're only for effect, I wouldn't expect anyone to actually use it (perhaps to wipe their hands of something). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575661 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 00:06:58 +0000 sapphire 2575661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm one of those people that HAS to have a napkin and it's definitely in my lap. Big pet peeve is eating at someone's house and not being given a napkin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575657 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 23:07:54 +0000 808love 2575657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually lap but since I am usually eating at home and still modeling napkin use with LO, I keep ours on the table hoping she will remember to use it more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575655 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:54:22 +0000 cabbagerose 2575655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cloth Napkin in my lap. Paper Napkin on the table to the right of my plate. Although proper etiquette is to place it in your lap and to not put the napkin back on the table until every one is finished with the meal, including if you must excuse yourself during a meal you place the napkin on the chair soil side up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575654 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:41:16 +0000 yoursilverlining 2575654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always lap. This isn't something I ever thought to consider "fancy"! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575653 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:39:51 +0000 autumnlove 2575653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually lap </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575646 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:21:33 +0000 youboots 2575646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always lap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-is-your-napkin-while-you-eat#post-2575638 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 21:56:02 +0000 Corduroy 2575638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Today I took DD (3yo) out for breakfast. I asked her to put her napkin on her lap so she wouldn't get her clothes dirty. She looked around the restaurant and pointed out nobody else had their napkin on their lap. She was right and I was surprised. Am I the oddball? </p> <p>This was Sunday morning breakfast at a cowboy-ish diner in the bay area. </p>