Is it OK to blow your nose in a cloth restaurant napkin?

[Anonymous]

That's the question. Like, if you've had a spicy meal and your nose is running a little at the end of a meal and you don't need the napkin to wipe your mouth or fingers anymore. No further details will be provided regarding this question. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

No. Gross. Go get a tissue.

[Anonymous]

No

Also a gym towel?
Also No

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's not any grosser than wiping your gross mouth and fingers on it. Just wrap it so the snot side is folded INSIDE and you're good. Also be discreet, as everyone should with any nose blowing that's not in the bathroom. If you can, go to the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

It's not ok to blow your nose in a restaurant. Definitely not ok to blow into a cloth napkin. Gross.

[Anonymous]

No. And shouldn't be an issue because you should not blow your nose at the table.

[Anonymous]

Ew, absolutely not.

[Anonymous]

NO. Disgusting. I get so annoyed at old people who this. And it’s always old people!

[Anonymous]

No it's not. The only scenario where I see this is ok is if you have no Kleneex on you and your nose starts actively running so you wipe it before getting up and going to the bathroom to blow your nose in paper towels or toilet paper.

[Anonymous]

Now you wrote a "little". Like a tap?
Try to use paper napkin. Also, stop putting those napkins on plates. Fold it and lave it visible, partly under plate is good too.

[Anonymous]

I always carry a clean paper napkin to dab my nose if I am eating spicy food. And yes, I will go to the bathroom to blow my nose. I cannot get over how common it is for people to blow their nose in public in America. I never saw this in my country of origin.

I also never saw parents letting their kids with runny noses, just be. They make no attempt to wipe their noses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it's not. The only scenario where I see this is ok is if you have no Kleneex on you and your nose starts actively running so you wipe it before getting up and going to the bathroom to blow your nose in paper towels or toilet paper.

+1 No. although I can imagine an emergency in which this might be the best available option. Please fold the napkin so someone clearing the table won’t be exposed to your snot.

[Anonymous]

I was ready to say NO but then the context makes me think this is like an emergency situation where you are sitting at the table and eat something spicy that makes your nose start running terribly, and you either have to blow your nose in the cloth napkin or like run to the bathroom while your nose is running freely.

In that case, I'd say it is appropriate to *very discretely* blow your nose into the cloth napkin only as much as necessary to prevent your nose from just running all over the place, and then as soon as you can, excuse yourself to the bathroom to more properly blow your nose with a tissue and clean yourself up. This is preferable to just sitting there with snot running down your face, or to wipe your nose with your sleeve or something, which might be your only other option in that situation.

This is a good reminder to tuck some spare tissues in my purse before I go out to eat. Though even then you have the issue of not wanting to blow your nose at the table. I don't know. I have sensitive sinuses and have experienced the very sudden runny nose before so I'm sympathetic, but I know a lot of people would be horrified by this. I guess you just have to do what makes the most sense and know some people will judge. But some people are very uncomfortable with a lot of normal bodily functions, so oh well.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but only at home.