# Dinner etiquette. Tucking a napkin into your shirt. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 16, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102 "2004-08-16T17:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/21 "2004-08-19T04:06:56Z")
Look, customarily the napkin goes in yer lap; but I think you should be able to wear your damn napkin however the hell you want. The most important thing is not getting the food on your clothes, not what the other people in the restaurant or at dinner think of you. If you have to, use one for your lap and one for your front. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2004, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/22 "2004-08-19T08:00:26Z")
Personally, I would never tuck a napkin into my collar, and would be profoundly embarrassed if anyone in my company did so in public. That being said, some people have some strange ideas about table manners. I’m seeing a woman right now who pesters me to roll up my sleeves to eat. What the hell? Who rolls up their sleeves to eat? I can manage to keep my hands clean just fine, never mind worrying about getting sauce up my arm to the elbow. Shucks, rolling up sleeves to _work_ strikes me as pretty déclassé. (Probably because I don’t do any mechanics and never have to worry about grease stains. I can manage to convey lasagne from the plate to my mouth without dirtying my shirt-sleeves or shirt-front pretty reliably. Who are these people that have a problem with this? I mean, _maybe_ if some perverse chef has served up steamed soybeans with olive-oil, turmeric, and saffron, providing only Japanese chopsticks as utensils… but… really. Usually after a decade or so of eating, food is applied internally with a fair amount of confidence. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2004, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/23 "2004-08-19T12:19:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Usually after a decade or so of eating, food is applied internally with a fair amount of confidence. Eh. In my case, I have problems with dropping the utensils now and then, sometimes when they have food on or in them. When that happens, a napkin tucked under my chin has saved my clothes from food stains. I have neuropathy in my hands and lower legs, and sometimes it feels like I’m doing everything with very thick gloves on…that is, I don’t get the proper feel of things, or the proper sensory feedback. Also, sometimes my hands just lose the grip on a utensil. I never know when this will kick in. No, this ISN’T apparent just by looking at me. Nor do I usually talk about it. But it’s the main reason why I tuck my napkin under my chin, where it will do me the most good. I’m thinking of just making my own adult bibs and bringing them to restaurants. In other words, yeah, I know better. But for me, keeping my clothes unstained has a higher priority than looking “proper” to other people. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/24 "2004-08-19T12:54:47Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > Same here. Especially since I eat at Mexican restaurants a lot, and the foods tend to be messy. Give me a couple of extra napkins and pass the queso dip and chips, please. SHE’S BACK!!! ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/25 "2004-08-19T23:59:09Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Usually after a decade or so of eating, food is applied internally with a fair amount of confidence. Not the case here, I’m afraid. If I eat anything with sauce, I’m _going_ to end up wearing it. There’s clearly some skill that I am missing, but I haven’t the faintest clue what it is. I don’t tuck napkins into my collar, but I probably should. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/26 "2004-08-20T02:35:22Z")
\*\*From Larry Mudd : …some people have some strange ideas about table manners. I’m seeing a woman right now who pesters me to roll up my sleeves to eat…" \*\* It’s true; our table manners can be hilarious, mortifying or both. Either way, I think they are definitely an extension of our personalities. Regarding napkins: in my case, I’m just a messy eater, so I usually end up wearing the contents of at least one meal. ( I also talk about gross horror movies and entrails and stuff at the table. You can’t take me anywhere, really. :eek: ) ---
**Author:** ![TravisR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@TravisR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisR)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/27 "2010-06-07T13:59:42Z")
When I was younger my parents always had me tuck a paper napkin in my shirt collar and I also had one on my lap during most meals. My two younger brothers still do this. It keeps your clothes clean and you don’t have to worry about getting stains on your clothes. I am in Jr. ROTC and our commander has us wear our napkins tucked in our collars during lunch so that we don’t get anything on our uniforms. TravisR ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/28 "2010-06-07T14:06:51Z")
If you think something makes you look eccentric, then you’re not being eccentric. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/29 "2010-06-07T14:14:37Z")
Napkins tucked in your shirt at a big zombie feeding frenzy wouldn’t be a bad idea. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/30 "2010-06-07T14:17:06Z")
Keeps brains off your shirt. Reported. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/31 "2010-06-07T14:42:36Z")
This is one of those etiquette rules that runs counter to common sense. I am fully aware of the rule, but if I’m eating something saucy, I tuck. I care more about saving my shirt than what other diners think of me. I’ve ruined too many hard-earned dollars worth of clothing with spilled food. If the other diners are willing to kick in to replace my wardrobe, then I’ll consider bowing to this nonsensical rule. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/32 "2010-06-07T15:09:43Z")
> [@Pablito](#): > > And even if he manages to locate a Parisian or two who use this method (and based on previous responses that may be a challenge), that doesn’t mean he should do it here–I don’t see many people here driving on the left side of the street. I laughed. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/33 "2010-06-07T15:14:37Z")
It would only be considered eccentric, if your SO, did **lots** of other things that were not normal. Picking this one habit and calling himself eccentric, does not make it so. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102/34 "2010-06-07T15:16:23Z")
> [@TravisR](#): > > When I was younger my parents always had me tuck a paper napkin in my shirt collar and I also had one on my lap during most meals. My two younger brothers still do this. It keeps your clothes clean and you don’t have to worry about getting stains on your clothes. I am in Jr. ROTC and our commander has us wear our napkins tucked in our collars during lunch so that we don’t get anything on our uniforms. > > TravisR Since the thread you are responding to is from 2004, some of the people who posted in it have moved on to other threads(or even other message boards). I’m going to go ahead and close this zombie thread, but if you wish to, you can start a new thread on this subject. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinner-etiquette-tucking-a-napkin-into-your-shirt/260102.md?page=1)