Lappers and Nonlappers
"It's cute that you put your napkin in your lap," she said, and I didn't make much of it, considering it both standard etiquette and not to mention an easy and effective way to keep one's pants gravy-free.
Then earlier this week, as I sat down to lunch at the same time as a large group of coworkers, I suddenly felt conspicuous as I unfolded my napkin. I began to wonder if perhaps this was weird, but a quick turn in the conversation diverted my attention, and I forgot about it.
Until today.
Needing to grab a quick lunch before a noon meeting, I found a small table by myself. Putting my napkin across my lap reminded me of my previous question. I began looking around. And looking some more.
Out of 52 people whose laps I could surreptitiously survey without appearing to be crotch-shopping, only 1 contained a napkin.
Is this an American v. Canadian upbringing thing? (Americans don't believe in dinosaurs but do believe in keeping their beans off their jeans?)
A Texas vs. all the less table-manners-neurotic places thing?
Come on all ye Canadians, Americans, Neptunians, what were you taught to do growing up? What do you do now? If you're a lapper, do you consider nonlappers less polite? If you're a nonlapper, do you consider lappers stuffy? Or backward and provincial?
I have to admit, I'm a little self-conscious now. It's fine for my girlfriend to think it's a cute habit, but I'm not sure I like all my coworkers thinking it's a cute habit. The social pressure for me to stop lapping now is fairly intense, but let me tell you, as soon as I wind up with a pocket full of salsa, I'm going to be upset. Just sayin'.
Then earlier this week, as I sat down to lunch at the same time as a large group of coworkers, I suddenly felt conspicuous as I unfolded my napkin. I began to wonder if perhaps this was weird, but a quick turn in the conversation diverted my attention, and I forgot about it.
Until today.
Needing to grab a quick lunch before a noon meeting, I found a small table by myself. Putting my napkin across my lap reminded me of my previous question. I began looking around. And looking some more.
Out of 52 people whose laps I could surreptitiously survey without appearing to be crotch-shopping, only 1 contained a napkin.
Is this an American v. Canadian upbringing thing? (Americans don't believe in dinosaurs but do believe in keeping their beans off their jeans?)
A Texas vs. all the less table-manners-neurotic places thing?
Come on all ye Canadians, Americans, Neptunians, what were you taught to do growing up? What do you do now? If you're a lapper, do you consider nonlappers less polite? If you're a nonlapper, do you consider lappers stuffy? Or backward and provincial?
I have to admit, I'm a little self-conscious now. It's fine for my girlfriend to think it's a cute habit, but I'm not sure I like all my coworkers thinking it's a cute habit. The social pressure for me to stop lapping now is fairly intense, but let me tell you, as soon as I wind up with a pocket full of salsa, I'm going to be upset. Just sayin'.