Melnq8

kja -

I think I would have said "I can hear you" in German. The looks on their faces would have been priceless.

sparkchaser

Not "hear", "understand".

That would have been amusing.

"Ich verstehe Sie."

MissPrism

In a crowded restaurant, I have sometimes been invited to share a table.
I remember in Italy, we invited an elderly American couple to sit with us for coffee. They seemed extremely grateful and we pointed out that it was quite common in Europe

bilboburgler

Do you mean in the US you never ever share tables?

What about cutlery, do they get washed before the next user or thrown out with the trash?

sparkchaser

<i>Do you mean in the US you never ever share tables? </i>

Whoever answers yes to this question is either lying or ignorant on the matter.

sparkchaser

Yes = tables never shared.

No = tables shared.

sparkchaser

<i>What about cutlery, do they get washed before the next user or thrown out with the trash?</i>

Normally you lick them clean and then polish them up with your napkin (serviette to you UKers and former Colonials) before returning them back to the container you got them from.

mama_mia

I have shared tables in Europe and usually find it a very nice experience. I have also shared tables in the U.S., at 54 Below in NY, at B&B's, at Japanese steakhouses and other restaurants.

So I manage to get my fat American butt (wait, it is not fat...so maybe rethink that stereotype) into a seat at a privacy-obsessed US restaurant (maybe quash that one, too).

littlejane

In Dubrovnik when we were last there (a good few years ago now) it seemed to be the norm to be seated at a shared table in a restaurant if there were only 2 of you. Not my thing.

Just returned from a 3 star hotel in Italy and there was one large communal table for breakfast. Didn't mind it so much for breakfast as it made for a convivial atmosphere - it was in the Cinque Terre and everyone was asking each other what hikes they were doing that day etc.

Here in Ireland you would never really be asked to share so it depends what part of Europe you are talking about.

bilboburgler

serviette to you UKers. ????

"napkin" is fine for me

bigtyke

I have shared in Germany. I think elsewhere but I can't remember where.

Just last week I ate at a restaurant in Maine where there was a long table (seated perhaps 12 ) that was for sharing.

I seem to recall at least one restaurant on 'Restaurant Impossible' where they put in a community table.

IMDonehere

I once sat at a table with my wife.

sparkchaser

bilboburgler, I was told some time ago not to say "napkins" as that's what you call maxipads.

Josser

I can't remember hearing "serviette" for years.
You use a napkin at table. I think that "serviette" is one of those words used by Mrs Bucket types, striving for rafeenment, the kind who have a "settee" in their "lounge"

sparkchaser

Hehehehe

bilboburgler

Sparky, have you come across "U" and non-"U", a little out of date now but sparks a whole generation of social nonsense about people's position in society. "Serviette" is up there with "Toilet"

flanneruk

<i> "napkin" is fine for me</i>

That's one of those words (like lavatory and writing paper) Nancy Mitford tried to tell us was like what toffs speak.

Since when, of course, most self-respecting people go out of their way to say serviette, toilet (or lav: she said loo was OK, which kind of damned that too) and note paper.

In practice, most of us use serviette to describe those paper things you get in naff places, and napkins (by analogy with napery) for what's made of cotton or linen - or when you're reduced to using paper towels. And I think note paper, like lounge, DOES sound affected - and I can't really think of many occasions you need any kind of qualifier anyway - so "paper"'s what I'd write letters on if my right hand actually worked.

But she WAS batty. She had a thing about sofas, settees and couches, but I lost the will the live about then.

nytraveler

Was on a plane to NYC with a couple of Brits (2 young men) who had spilled something and totally confused the FA when they demanded "serviettes". I told her napkins and one stared at me with horror (I think he thought I meant a diaper) - but she brought them napkins to clean up the spill.

This was 7 or 8 years ago - not sure if this is a function of year, region, class or ???? - but to them "napkin" was definitely not something you used at table. (Maybe they did think it was a Kotex?)

annhig

in this household, we use serviettes but use the loo and sit on a sofa.

as Flanner says, napkins are more those thick cloth things that you get in posh restaurants, serviettes the paper sort that we buy in bulk from the cash and carry.

perhaps we're just confused.

MissPrism

We of course have double damask dinner napkins


http://youtu.be/FpUCS4LOXCU



I was amused to see that the loos at the Chatsworth farm shop are labelled "Lavatories". I remember thinking that Nancy would have approved