Napkins

**chris** · 11-01-2004, 02:48

Please can someone tell me what a napkin is? I had a guest (American) ask if he needed to bring his own and I didnt know what he meant. I couldnt understand someone bringing serviettes.

**bellaepovera** · 11-01-2004, 03:03

Gosh my mind is a blank at the moment as I cannot think of another way to say this word. Napkins are the things you use to wipe your mouth and hands while eating. they either come in paper or material. Usually when you buy the place mats made out of material they usually come with a napkin.

**ctgirlscout** · 11-01-2004, 03:57

Like Patti said, napkins are used to wipe your mouth at dinner. They are the things that you can never have enough of at McDonald's. Most people just use the disposable paper ones, but in fancy restaurants and such, they would be an accessory to the linen tablecloth. Just curious, what would be the UK word for a napkin?

**steph_goodrum** · 11-01-2004, 04:08

As Chris said it would be a serviette. I can't understand guests being particular enough to take their own on holiday if none were supplied.

**Lakul** · 11-01-2004, 04:11

Isn't it the US term for our flannel

**Ruth** · 11-01-2004, 05:39

I thought a flannel was a washcloth

**bellaepovera** · 11-01-2004, 12:26

NO we dont use the word flannel for a wash cloth. I suppose you can call it a hand towel also. Those are the small ones used to either wash dishes ( I personaly use a sponge) or the small square ones in the bathrooms.

**floridadreamvilla.co.uk** · 11-01-2004, 13:54

Just to confuse matters, I've always called them napkin's no matter where I am - US or UK [msnsmile]

**blott** · 11-01-2004, 20:42

quote:the small square ones in the bathrooms

Those are flannels in the UK (sometimes called face flannels) and are used to wash yourself with and hand towels are called, well... hand towels!

John, it depends whether you were bought up 'posh' or not! Posh = napkins and non-posh = serviettes! [msnwink]