After eating dinner at an eliquent restaraunt, what do you do with your napkin?

Answer 1

You keep it on your lap even if you're done eating. When you're all leaving the restaurant THEN you can put it on the table. If you leave for the restroom you shouldn't put it on the table, you should leave it on the seat of your chair. Most waiters will even pick the napkin up from off your chair while you're gone and fold it up for you so you'll have a neatly folded napkin when you return.

Answer 2

There is no word "eliquent", the closest is eloquent, which means to speak in a very properly expressive way (more or less). You probably mean elegant, which means very nice surroundings.

DO NOT place your napkin in your plate, that is rude and tacky. Do not fold it back up, either, into it's original fold, but fold in half, or quarters simply and lay it by the side of your plate; however, actually the dirty plate should have been removed long before you are ready to leave the napkin. I take the napkin by one corner, from my lap, hold up a bit, then fold in half, that is simple and proper, as well. Refolding a napkin is crude and shows you aren't used to having people wait on you properly.
Now to signal that your have finished with your plate, you place the knife across the plate, and the fork next to the knife with the tings DOWN. A server in an elegant restaurant will know what this means.
I hope this helps. My parents were educated and sophisticated people, they taught us about proper manners when we were growing up. Less people get that now, as restaurants and tips have grown to the point that most cannot afford to go to the better places anymore even for special occasions.

Answer 3

(The word is "eloquent", by the way)

Napkin Etiquette:

Napkins

Napkins belong in your lap. Large napkins can be folded in half or with a quarter folded over the top. They should never be tucked into your shirt like a bib.

Wait for the host to unfold his napkin before unfolding yours. In a banquet setting or at a restaurant, simply place your napkin in your lap as soon as you are seated.

If you excuse yourself from the table, loosely fold the napkin and place it to the left or right of your plate. Do not refold your napkin or wad it up on the table either.

Note: Some respected etiquette experts will disagree and flatly state that when leaving the table, you should hang the napkin over the back of your chair. Whatever you do, do not place the napkin in the seat of your chair. You don't want to wipe your mouth with a napkin that has been left on the seat.

Answer 4

I agree with Traveller.

As soon as you sit down place the napkin on your lap. In some restaurants the waiter will actually place the napkin in your lap for you havn't done so already by the time they reach your table. Do NOT place it on your plate. Leave it next to the plate on the table. The knife and fork go across the top of your plate when you are done to signal the staff you are finished and they can clear your setting. Remember, you are out to have a good time, and enjoy yourself and your company. As long as your etiquette is not making anyone sick or uncomfortable you should be respected and welcome.

Answer 5

You wipe your mouth and hands and you fold the napkin and place it on the side of your plate. I am such a stickler about the cleanup afterwards - I always place the side dishes (salad, soup bowls, etc) if they have not been picked up by the server, in the center of the plate along with the silverware and the napkin on the side of the plate.

I was told a long time ago by a server that they hate when you put the napkin in the plate - especially if you have food left. I guess that would be rather messy.

Answer 6

I'm not sure if this is the "appropriate" thing to do, but I put it next to my plate, simply because I think it's gross to put it in my plate. I think the serving staff will know that I am finished with my meal when I leave. After all, you say it is at an elegant restaurant, and in those places they are more attentive to what you are doing and when you are finished with your meal as opposed to just going to the restroom for a minute. And if doing that I would also put my napkin either next to my plate or in my chair.

Answer 7

After eating dinner slide plates to side of table. That signals waiter to pick them up. When you are ready to leave put the napkin folded, in the center of your place.

Answer 8

Traveller gets an "A* " for a perfect answer!

Traveller may be the only person who has actually eaten at an elegant restaraunt and been taught properly by their parents besides me.

: )

Answer 9

After you are completely finished with your dinner, you put the napkin in your plate..this notifies your waitress/waiter you are ready for the plate to be taken away....on the other hand, if you need to leave the table for a moment, you FOLD your napkin and lay it to the side of your plate and this lets the waitress/waiter know you plan to return and finish eating..

Answer 10

I usually place it down on the table next to my plate, or on top of the plate, depending on whether or not there's food left on it. If there is food left there, I place the napkin next to my plate.