A question on dining etiquitte

[gassy]

So I am certainly not a man of wealth and taste but I have a question. My daily attire is a t-shirt and jeans. I basically go to the same Italian restaurant at least 3 times a week. Dudes come in with suits and ties on--some tuck their napkins in their collar. They look like douches. Yeah, I know Tony S did that but...
Is this normal with all of you suit wearers? Very important question, I know.
Christian.

[Shadetree930]

Not proper etiquitte per se but ... the key is it's an Italian joint. The red sauces tend to get thrown from the longer noodles no matter how careful you are. I opt for the douche look in order to avoid the slob look once back at the office.

[Dueller]

Tie tucked inside the shirt at most. Napkin thing looks like douche bag to me.

[the]

A gentleman should be able to enjoy his repast, sans bib, without soiling his garments.

[Shadetree930]

Now hold on!

Nobody EVER accused me of being a Gentleman.

[red-beard]

If the napkin has a button hole, use it. No button hole, keep extra shirt in the office.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Just go Cro-Magnon and forego the use of utensils entirely. The napkin thing will be the least of your worries.

[gassy]

I know I'm lucky to be able to wear what I wear every day but man do they look dumb--I'm sure they say the same about me, and they're right.

[Racerbvd]

I'm with prials I would rather look like a douche stain a $600 shirt & cool tie (of course I won't wear any of my high $$$ shirts to eat Italian) but in my job, sometimes casual is fine, others time coat & tie or suits.

[the]

There is such a thing as a $600 shirt?!?

[lendaddy]

[vash]

no way.. tuck away. especially at an italian food joint. i wouldnt tho, i dont want to look like a douchebag.

[David]

People still wear suits to work?

[nostatic]

what's a tie? You mean that thing I tie my g/f up with?

[svandamme]

button holed napkins?

lol

you americans are funny, trying to normalize an etiquette no-no by adding a button hole to a napkin...napkin goes on your lap, out of sight, no exceptions

i'll go to any italian restaurant, without a napkin stuffed down my collar, or hung on a button, in white shirt, and you won't see any red stains when i'm finished, it ain't that difficult

[djmcmath]

One of the essential points of learning how to wear a nice suit is learning how to not get it grubby when you're eating, whether you're eating spaghetti or crab or a ham sandwich. I say the guys wearing the napkins are just losers who never learned how to dress right.

The alternative, of course, is to wear jeans and a t-shirt, because if you get tomato sauce on your jeans, it's ok.

[Izze]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

How bizarre, that stain is actually talking Swedish

Napkin in the lap,the way to go!

[Bill Douglas]

Napkin on the lap, even if you are wearing jeans. NEVER NEVER NEVER wear a hat at the talble. If I ever see someone wearing a hat at the table I feel like walking over and punching them my table manners are so good. In fact being a private school boy if I ever wear a hat inside I feel like someone is going to cane me.

Dont chop up your whole meal with you knife and fork, then eat it with your fork. This is a really wierd habit. If you're not actually using your knife and fork at the particular moment, don't wave them around - put them down. Dont eat so fast. Spare ribs, pizza, use one hand. LOL the list goes on with US eating habits.

[MT930]

Haven't worn a tie for work in 10 years since moving to Montana. One of the reasons for moving!. Never was happy with a tie, Wore one 5 days a week for 12 years prior. Here I would put a napkin on my lap. If I was back in the big city with a suite and tie (yikes) I would have a tyveck suite (Disposable type) for ribs , BBQ chickens or heavy Italian. If I am eating I can not keep clean. But would never put a napkin in the collier I would sacrifice the shirt first.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by svandamme

button holed napkins?

lol

you americans are funny, trying to normalize an etiquette no-no by adding a button hole to a napkin...napkin goes on your lap, out of sight, no exceptions

i'll go to any italian restaurant, without a napkin stuffed down my collar, or hung on a button, in white shirt, and you won't see any red stains when i'm finished, it ain't that difficult

The only place I've ever seen button holed napkins was on board Air plane. And yep, I use them. I don't think I'd ever use a napkin like that in public.