I’m always getting a friendly reminder from La wife every time I lay the table, that in Spain, napkins are not optional. Even after years of reminders, I manage to get cutlery, glasses, plates, and food, but forget the darn napkins/serviettes.
To Marina this is unfathomable. How can a table be considered to be laid without this crucial lip-wiping, lap-saving element in place?
Is this because I’m English, or am I just a slob? Is this napkin obsession a Spanish thing? (And don’t get me started on table clothes… We have drawers full of the things, hand sewn by well-meaning Spanish aunts, and used nearly as much as the pesky matching napkins!)
Notes from Spain by Ben Curtis 