On Napkins

by Justin C. Lai

There are two kinds of napkins; one is made of cloth, the other of paper. On the plane, for Business or First Classes passengers, they use cloth napkins as a courtesy; for Economy class they use paper napkins, instead. It goes without saying people using cloth napkins are those with superior class.

Ever since some time ago, people have been using paper napkins instead of handkerchiefs in normal occasions or ordinary places. Paper napkins are disposable and more sanitary, while handkerchiefs, though reusable, it is easier to gather germs or bacteria. It is not for hygienic consideration. Except in few countries like India, China, or some Asian, African countries, people prefer to use paper napkins.

Most napkins are frequently provided as a complimentary in restaurants, food stands or places related to eating for to-go or to-stay. In restaurants or hotels of higher classes, cloth napkins are often used, but not in restaurants mediocre or with lower classes.

People use paper napkins more often than like at a McDonalds, KFC, or Taco Bells, etc. Besides these, when visiting a dentist office for dental care, patients are often given a small piece of tissue paper for wiping in Taiwan. While receiving care, patients have to wipe mouths for more than 8-10 times! In America, patients in a dentist office can take a piece of tissue paper whenever he needs one.

Whatever kind of paper napkins, I found the difference between those provided in the Orient and the Western countries. In the Western countries, napkins (heavier) are always put on each dining table or the places easily accessible. They are usually tightly packed in an open stainless boxes. Customers can feel free to take as many as they want. They are made of thicker and recycled paper. While in Taiwan, they are not so easily accessible at all, in some restaurants, they are put on the cash counter (you might take some when checking out) or on the wall not easily visible. After finish eating, customers, sometimes have to ask the waiter or the owner for some. Because they are put in different places from restaurant to restaurant. Their quality is much lighter, and shabby; and you can draw piece by piece only. Unlike in America, you can take many pieces at one time. In Taiwan, if you stand in front of a tissue (napkin) box put high on the wall, and keep drawing them, other customers may stare at you weirdly.

There is one eating habit in Taiwan which is much different from that in America. While eating in America, people use napkins as often as needed, usually wiping once while having a bite to keep your mouth clean. Particularly in eating a hamburger, you can hardly keep you mouth clean without wiping it all the time. But in Taiwan, people do not seem to bother to clean their mouths while eating. And not until you are done (finish eating) will you have to walk by many tables of fellow diners, and down the aisle to the back of the store simply to draw some pieces of tissue paper for use. In other words, you have to stand the stony, surprised look of other customers at you, with food stain on your face!

It seems to me that most people in Taiwan are generous with some free gifts; they are generous to give away something; they are even regarded as the # l donator in contributions to the refugees when they suffer from devastation from Tsunami rage, but they are very careful or stingy with their use of tissue paper for cleaning their mouths or hands. One of the reasons I figure out may be that the Taiwanese can not be too poor to provide to people as many napkins as they need. Rather, the logical explanation may be that they are just and always emphasizing the importance of energy-saving or recycling. Well, that the way things are. Each person may be faced with a culture shock when traveling in an exotic country.