At my previous restaurant, we had to fold the napkins so the seams were on the inside. This was very important. I spent a great deal of time folding napkins, up, across, across, so they opened up like little books when placed in front of guests. I trained the endless stream of new hires how to fold them, making them redo them if they folded them backwards, or if the seam was on the outside.
Its a small, petty thing, that maybe made a difference to a handful of customers over the years. Unless a napkin is folded like a swan, or contains chocolate, most people don't pay any attention to it, they just grab it and shove it in their lap.
Habits are dangerous things. At my new restaurant we don't fold the napkins, we roll them around the silverwear into neat little packages. No one in a position of power has ever expressed an oppinion about whether the seam should stay hidden or not, but when I'm doing my rollups I instinctivly tuck it away. I've trained myself to notice, to care even, about this tiny insignificant detail. Three years of having to care, has created a genuine sentiment, despite having full knowledge of just how rediculous that is.
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