Servietter

Servietter, commonly translated as napkins in English, are small pieces of textile or paper used during meals to wipe the mouth and hands. They may be cloth or disposable, and are typically square or rectangular in shape.

Cloth varieties are usually made from cotton or linen, or blends thereof, and are designed for repeated use after washing. Paper napkins are intended for single use and come in a range of thicknesses and designs. Sizes vary, with cloth napkins often larger and commonly folded for decorative settings, while disposable napkins come in compact dinner- and lunch-sized options.

In dining etiquette, the napkin is typically placed on the lap after the diners are seated and used to dab the mouth and fingers as needed. It is generally kept in use until the end of the meal, and then placed to the left of the plate or returned to the table in a simple, orderly manner.

Historically, the term serviette is used in several languages, including French and Nordic languages, where it means napkin; in English, napkin is the standard term. The practice of using napkins dates back to ancient times, and the modern form expanded with textile production, while disposable paper napkins appeared in the 19th century and became widespread in the 20th. In Norwegian and Danish, the plural form is servietter; in Swedish it is servetter; in English the standard term is napkin. Cloth napkins are reusable and can be more sustainable when laundered properly, whereas paper napkins are convenient for casual use and events.