“The table was so nice and white like cream!
And the napkin folded looked like a dream!
But ’twill be opened and taken out soon!
To clean your lips or just a spoon!”
When you visit some fancy hotels or a resort or a restaurant, among the other things which gets your attention; one of the main thing is the Napkin! The neatly folded ones with different shapes!
Apparently there are so many shapes and types!
Of course that is not the surprising part! There is a type of famous Napkin fold which is a closely guarded secret known to only two people in the world at any given point of time apparently!
read on!
Napkin folding is an ancient art form dating back to civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks. Historically, it was a symbol of status and wealth for the host or hostess. Today, it has become a popular hobby and important element of event planning, with napkin folding now achievable with a variety of napkin types!
Am sure during the times when Jeeves was written, Napkin folding would have not only been a prerequisite but also a talent akin to some big educational qualification!
The earlier napkins were actually made out of expensive materials and used as a symbol of wealth and status!
Later on the Napkin used to reflect the status of the host or the guest with more complex and elaborate techniques for the more up in the status symbol!
So if you do not get even a Napkin, do not even bother to ask for anything!
Later on of course the napkin folding was more of an art rather than for function! The designs became more intricate and decorative with so many designs inspired by Nature, animals and what not! Just like a painting or a sketch, these had it own artists and people who used to appreciate them just like art!
Later in the 20th century, napkin folding became less formal, with simpler designs used for casual gatherings and more intricate designs reserved for formal occasions.
Of course in some official formal occasion napkins are an essential part!
A folded napkin elevates your decor and gives your table setting an exquisite look! Of course just like most art; it is better seen! If you think about function, it may be limited!
Most of the times when I see such beautifully folded, I feel so guilty of breaking the design and using them! Once we had this amazing resort where they had folded even the towels in the shape of Swans! We did not use them for the entire time we stayed there! Do not worry, they had more towels which were not folded!
With all these it is so difficult to imagine a simple napkin being the subject of a state secret, but such is the magic of the imperial napkin fold!
The napkins at Austrian governmental events are given the fancy fold, which results in a gorgeous flourish befitting the rich dignitaries who attend these types of events. Also known as the Hapsburg napkin fold, the technique is a guarded state secret, and it’s said that only two people at a time know how to do it; they then pass the knowledge on to another high-ranking official upon their deaths. Napkins folded in this manner are even kept in Austrian museums, public interest in their extravagance being so profound!
Profound also was the role of birthday celebrity Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao in the economic resurgence of Bharat!
Now wipe your face with a towel after a quick wash and sleep!
Shubh Ratri!
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