Summary
Highlights
It's a good habit to place your napkin on your lap as soon as you sit down to protect your clothing from spills. A large cloth napkin can be folded in half towards you to create a secure place to wipe your fingers without getting anything on your clothes or sleeves.
Beyond protecting your clothes, your napkin should be used to blot your lips before speaking or taking a drink. This prevents marks on your glass and keeps your lips clean.
If you need to leave the table temporarily, you should place your napkin on your chair, not back on the table. The napkin should only return to the table at the end of the meal. At the end of the meal, fold the napkin loosely and place it to the side of your plate; do not scrunch it up or place it on your food.