Question:
Do I use paper napkins or cloth napkins? Jonas Mother-in-law says no paper, which?
Mother-in-law on Jonas brothers (so-called) reality show makes critisicism on using PAPER napkins. My sister-in-law did the same thing to me and I just think cloth is very stiff and not easy to use. Environmentally it‘s sound but they are never broken in and when they are washed more and softer they just look like worn denim.so what the heck!? Is there a frik‘n meeting of the minds? I don‘t like the stodgy smarmy comments and don‘t want to get into a mind your own business! with these in-laws or get my husband involved so what is a solution to this ridiculous criticism?(I‘m sure they‘ll have 100 more!!)
Answer:
I honestly don't see why it matters. their mom in law and your sis in law are just being perfectionists. the only time my mom and I have cloth napkins are at a restaurant. sounds like a huge time waster. you've got enough to wash without worrying about washing napkins too. plus the way she does it it's cheaper than cloth because you don't have to be using up soap or the water and she gets a bunch of napkins whenever she buys something to eat out so she doesn't have to buy any.
Six of one and half a dozen of the other. It's all a matter of personal preference. For myself, I would never accept anyone from a reality show as an arbiter of class. Reality shows and class are kind of incompatible, don't you think? Anyone silly enough to trust a reality show personality to dictate proper conduct in their home or anyone else's doesn't really have an opinion worth losing sleep over. If it makes you feel better, you can compost paper napkins. That really makes them the more ecologically responsible choice. Personally, I have used both. If I am having a large gathering, paper is just more practical. For a small formal dinner party, I still trot out the Battenburg lace ones my mother gave me when I got married 20 some years ago. As someone wrote previously, they can be difficult to clean. They have to be ironed and starched. A lot of energy goes into keeping them presentable. I simply would not do that if I had a large number of guests. The only kind I have ever used that didn't require a lot of fuss is the Visa sort that are mainly for commercial use, but they are 100% polyester. Now you know, anyone with any class only uses natural fibers in their home. ; ) The simple solution is just to not invite your sister-in-law to dinner if she is going to create drama over something so trivial. The real mark a hostess needs to meet is to make her guests feel welcome and comfortable. Everything else is secondary. Okay, the food is pretty important too, but you take my meaning, I'm sure. Happy hostessing.
Now, I'm only 22 but I entertain quite a bit. I use Vanity napkins when I have people over, as does my grandmother (she used to teach etiquette classes and used paper napkins in her classes) and we get a lot of compliments. If there was one woman in the world you could never truly please, one woman who refused to use paper plates for a handful of chips, it would be her. If you get the right kind of napkins, even the paper one's can look gorgeous on your table. I recommend Chinette or Vanity, as they are not only very pretty and professional looking, but also a money saver. If your family complains or makes smarmy comments, simply tell them it is all a matter of preference. What do YOU like? What do YOU think looks best? Are you willing to have to wash cloth napkins after every use? Things like that are what you should consider. Napkins are biodegradable since they're paper, and I've never seen a paper napkin last very long on or off the table. Cloth napkins are expensive, can be hard to clean, and I know when I'm at a place with cloth napkins I feel very worried about getting a permanent stain on it. So, what do you like? I say paper napkins all the way!
I honestly don't see why it matters. their mom in law and your sis in law are just being perfectionists. the only time my mom and I have cloth napkins are at a restaurant. sounds like a huge time waster. you've got enough to wash without worrying about washing napkins too. plus the way she does it it's cheaper than cloth because you don't have to be using up soap or the water and she gets a bunch of napkins whenever she buys something to eat out so she doesn't have to buy any.
Six of one and half a dozen of the other. It's all a matter of personal preference. For myself, I would never accept anyone from a reality show as an arbiter of class. Reality shows and class are kind of incompatible, don't you think? Anyone silly enough to trust a reality show personality to dictate proper conduct in their home or anyone else's doesn't really have an opinion worth losing sleep over. If it makes you feel better, you can compost paper napkins. That really makes them the more ecologically responsible choice. Personally, I have used both. If I am having a large gathering, paper is just more practical. For a small formal dinner party, I still trot out the Battenburg lace ones my mother gave me when I got married 20 some years ago. As someone wrote previously, they can be difficult to clean. They have to be ironed and starched. A lot of energy goes into keeping them presentable. I simply would not do that if I had a large number of guests. The only kind I have ever used that didn't require a lot of fuss is the Visa sort that are mainly for commercial use, but they are 100% polyester. Now you know, anyone with any class only uses natural fibers in their home. ; ) The simple solution is just to not invite your sister-in-law to dinner if she is going to create drama over something so trivial. The real mark a hostess needs to meet is to make her guests feel welcome and comfortable. Everything else is secondary. Okay, the food is pretty important too, but you take my meaning, I'm sure. Happy hostessing.
Now, I'm only 22 but I entertain quite a bit. I use Vanity napkins when I have people over, as does my grandmother (she used to teach etiquette classes and used paper napkins in her classes) and we get a lot of compliments. If there was one woman in the world you could never truly please, one woman who refused to use paper plates for a handful of chips, it would be her. If you get the right kind of napkins, even the paper one's can look gorgeous on your table. I recommend Chinette or Vanity, as they are not only very pretty and professional looking, but also a money saver. If your family complains or makes smarmy comments, simply tell them it is all a matter of preference. What do YOU like? What do YOU think looks best? Are you willing to have to wash cloth napkins after every use? Things like that are what you should consider. Napkins are biodegradable since they're paper, and I've never seen a paper napkin last very long on or off the table. Cloth napkins are expensive, can be hard to clean, and I know when I'm at a place with cloth napkins I feel very worried about getting a permanent stain on it. So, what do you like? I say paper napkins all the way!
