We do use napkins in our house -- albeit paper ones most of the time. However, I drive my DH crazy b/c if I havn't used mine, (truly haven't needed it), I leave it folded by my place mat for the next meal. I tease him by saying that he's just messier than I!

Napkins are present and accounted for here in this house.
I'm wondering if perhaps with the high cost of living now,
paper napkins and paper towels will be priced out of the market and the money spent on necessities.

I am in the dying breed who use cloth napkins, even for everyday. I have a heck of a time convincing my guests to actually wipe their mouths on them! It's like they think of them as those 'special' guest towels some people hang for ambiance but would get ticked off if anyone uses them. At my house what you see is what you get. If I don't want somebody to use an antique plate, then I won't put it where they can get to it. Likewise quilts/linen towels/napkins. When did the American home convert from a home to a gallery?

I did laugh at this quote, however. When my kids were little, I can just picture them pulling up an edge of tablecloth. I know I have some seen some very suspicious shirt sleeves I figured were used in a like manner.

We use both,all the time. This quote dates back to the 1700s,so am wondering if people didn't really use napkins back then,at least in the USA.

I took it the same way Marda, I think that although the more wealthy colonists prided themselves in their finery and etiquette, they were pretty much held in the same regard as we are today by some in the OLD WORLD. IOW, no matter what we do, we shall not be the vanguard of proper culture and are socially clueless. I am saying this laughingly and tongue in cheek but it's just one of those things that always has been and shall likely always be. Some of this came about because our culture then really did tend to adopt from all emigrants the best their societies had to offer, so even though a lot of our colonies were founded by one country or another, we already were becoming a melting pot. Likewise, our young fields and orchards had not the time to attain any great significance and were considered a crude copy of those in the old world. Even our vegetable seeds and fruit trees were imported in sailing ships and not always good choices for their new home.

I STILL see a distinct tendency to stage whisper asides about other countries in the EU, even though it's politically incorrect. My gosh, it's hard to change old habits of centuries' standing even though they may have been allies since WWI. They'll wink when they make those comments, but they're uttered anyway. I once offended one of my hosts in the Isles when I deferred from spending my holiday sightseeing, reminding him I practically grew up in Europe. I was reminded that however, it was in France, and therefore ............won't repeat what he said as it was meant to be offensive to me.

I'm thinking back in 1780 that napkins were something that were pretty much in use only in the upper strata of society. Those at the middle to lower end had other things to worry about. We use mostly paper napkins here although i like the cloth ones better.

I think it will be a very fine thing, Janis, if paper napkins, paper plates and paper cups are priced into oblivion. Trees, trees and more trees and into the landfill they all go. They're a waste of money and a waste of our resources in my opinion.

Cloth napkins here, with napkin rings. It's interesting how few people know what to do with their napkin after the meal. If you're family the napkin goes back in the ring, it'll go more than one meal without laundering unless the food is messy. If you're a guest don't put the napkin back in the ring and don't fold it..just leave it there so that it's clear which napkins are going right to the laundry.

Calliope, it works both ways. I very clearly remember the astonished face of a new military bride, born and grown up in Philadelphia and now having moved to a little town in Germany (1960). She could not get over the fact that her apartment had a proper bathroom with hot and cold water and a flush toilet. She thought all of Europe used outhouses, LOL. On the other hand, as an exchange student in 1950, in New England no less, I lived for a year with my first annex convenience. I guess preconceived notions exist on all sides.

"Calliope, it works both ways."

Of course it does, because one always sees the world through their own experiences. I'm sort of reminded of that quote by Twain we had a few weeks ago, about travel removing prejudices. Well, it helps to change viewpoints, because it fosters understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. But like Marda suggested, if one is really prejudiced, the bearer of that prejudice will nurture it against all reason.

I really thought the comment about the serviceman's wife was touching, because I can believe it and believe it was not made with malice but a great amount of naiveté. And, I think this has a lot to do with the quote of the day. As a culture, we are more naive because circumstances of history have isolated this country from the kind of interaction many others have had for a millennium. I think we knew it, even back in the 1700s when instead of being offended by being called Yankee Doodles, we took it on and went with it.

Cloth napkins here, but no rings like Sheila.

More interesting to me is the discussion of cultural issues and how clueless we can sometimes be.