From beginning to end, your napkin will be with you throughout the course of your meal. Navigate napkin etiquette with confidence to maintain a tidy and comfortable dining experience.
Seating
There is a correct way to enter and exit your seat in a formal dining situation. Always enter and exit from the right side of your chair. When everyone enters and exits their seats from the same direction, participants avoid potential spills and bumping into each other.
Credit: Food & Wine / West Elm
Napkin
If your napkin is not placed on your plate, look to the left of your place setting to locate it. In fine dining establishments, the wait staff typically place your napkin on your lap as soon as you take your seat. Otherwise, in the absence of a host, immediately and discreetly place your napkin on your lap by removing it from the table and folding it in half underneath the table. The folded, or widest, part of the napkin should be closest to you.
Smaller napkins, or during lunch events, you may leave your napkin unfolded for fuller coverage.
If your napkin is held by a napkin ring, remove the ring and place it at the top left of your place setting, where it will not interfere with right-handed silverware use.
Follow the leader: At the start of a meal, when your host places their napkin on their lap, follow suit. At the end of the meal, when your host places their napkin on the table, follow their lead.
Bonus tip: If you are wearing slippery fabric, you may discreetly tuck a corner of your napkin under your leg to prevent your napkin from sliding or falling to the floor.
Use your napkin as often as needed throughout the course of the meal to dab your mouth. Once you have blotted your mouth, return the napkin to your lap. Remember, your napkin is not a tissue or sweat towel.
Accidents
If your napkin falls to the floor, do not pick it up or use it. It may be unsanitary after touching the floor.
If you need to remove food from your mouth, use the same utensil you ate with to take it out. You may place your napkin over your mouth as you discard the food. Place the unwanted food on the edge of your plate and out of other’s sight. Eating small bites is helpful for this reason and helps if you need to quickly answer a question while eating.
Your napkin should remain on your lap and should not be placed back on the table until the end of the meal. A used napkin on the table is both unsanitary and unappetizing to those around you.
Should a guest arrives late, place your napkin on your chair as you stand to greet them.
Wrapping Up
Ideally, you should remain at the table until the end of the meal. It is considered rude to leave your guests. If you must leave, place your napkin on the left armrest or seat of your chair to signal to the wait staff that you are returning, then exit to the right.
To signal to the wait staff that you have finished your meal and will not be returning, neatly fold your napkin (a rectangle is easiest) and place it to the left of your plate. Be sure to push your chair back under the table when you leave.
For a dinner party, it is courteous to wait at least 30 minutes after the meal concludes before departing.
Understanding napkin etiquette is a simple and meaningful way to display consideration for everyone at the table. By paying attention to these details, you will demonstrate respect for your fellow guests and hosts alike.
