Between Naps on the Porch: What Would You Do? Two Situations, Two Polls

Jul 12, 2011

What Would You Do? Two Situations, Two Polls

You're a guest at a large dinner party. During the party, nature calls, and you make a little trip to the powder room. As you finish washing your hands, you look around for a towel to dry them and this is what you see:

Elegant, starched, monogrammed, linen hand towels

poll by twiigs.com

Same situation, but...

You're a guest at a large dinner party. During the party, nature calls, and you make a little trip to the powder room. As you finish washing your hands, you look around for a towel to dry them and this is what you see:

Elegant, starched, monogrammed, linen hand towels...AND

A plain, everyday, cotton hand towel:

poll by twiigs.com

Have you ever found yourself in this situation?

Addition: Several folks have asked about the bee towels...they are available at Pottery Barn and currently they are offering free shipping. Ooops, they appear to all be sold out now.

67 Comments:

At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , KimberFNP said...: So funny you posted this; we just moved into a new place and the guy who delivered our refrigerator asked to use my bathroom and when they left, I noticed he had dried his still dirty (really dirty) hands on my new $25 white towel that was for decorative purposes. I had another BROWN towel hanging by the sink. I think what bothered me more was how dirty his hands still were after washing them! lol
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Glenda said...: You didn't comment for your answer. I would love to hear what you would do.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...: Glenda, I don't want to influence anyone, but I will share what I'd do once everyone votes. :)
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Pam Kessler said...: I always have my pretty towels in the guest bath and my husband knows he had better not ever actually use them (learned from experience). But when I have a party I replace them with pretty paper ones. I think Kleenex started making ones in a box also. I still never have as many towels used as I have people who have used the bathroom though? I think people are confused about using the paper ones too.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Lyn said...: #1 I would dry my hands on my pants!

#2 use the cotton towel
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Janet Brown said...: I quit using fancy hand towels because they are so off-putting to guests. However, I have washable hand woven hand towels on the counter next to our Mexican basin in the guest half-bath. Our 18 year old grandson always 'visits' the half-bath, I think, mainly to wash his hands in the sink. Something different from his house.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , laxsupermom said...: I'd use the plain one.

Sometimes it skeeves me out when the decorative ones look like they haven't been moved in forever. They have a layer of dust or tp fuzz on them. Chances are the plain ones are washed more often, and just seem cleaner to me.

Now at my house the decorative ones get washed once a week along with other stuff on "linens day."

I like the idea of using the decorative paper ones for large parties.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...: Lyn, I actually had "dry my hands on my clothes" as an answer when I first created the poll, but then I took it out. lol I should have left it in! :)
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Vicki said...: I would use the cotton white towel but I would expect MY guests to feel comfortable using either!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Rebecca said...: I don't understand why anyone would even own towels that can't be used. I quite like those bees, but hello... they're towels. They're meant to dry things with. :)
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , teachermomof2 said...: I would ask you if I could use the linen towels after washing my hands. I would use the plain hand towl if it was available.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Mariebop said...: My friends and I are still pretty young so we don't invest in expensive decorative towels yet. If I'm concerned about something getting dirty or being broken, it gets put away when guests show up. :P
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Ladybug said...: My rule is: if you don't want me to use it, don't put it out! LOL

(actually, if I had seen the bee towels, I probably would have tried to figure out some way to sneak them home! *wink*)
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...: I can't think straight....I just want those bee & skep towels!!! Where can these be acquired?! LOL
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Sheila said...: I love this post, Susan. I have been in situations similar to this. In the second situation I would use the plain white hand towel. However, in the first situation, I would go ahead and use the cute towels. If they were the only towels the hostess put out then she should expect they will get used regardless of how expensive they were. My point is that if you don't want something to be used, either don't put it out or make sure something else is available.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...: Anonymous,
They are at Pottery Barn and shipping is free right now. Here's the link to a page that shows them and some other ones. Buy them all before I do, please! lol I'm trying to resist.

http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/sale/free-shipping/free-ship-view-all/?cm_src=b1&cm_re=SD4D11-_-Bucket1-_-FreeShipping
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Unknown said...: I actually don't mind folks using my "good" towels cause I know it's easy for me to just make me another one...i've actually had one of my monogram hand towels used by my husband to wipe the grease off his hands while he was working on his truck....Men! But I do have a friend that goes and finds those really nice long paper napkins in different designs and she lays out a stack of them on the sink for guests. They work great and saves her towels and her guest doesn't have to wonder what to use!
I love the poll post! Fun!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Pamela Gordon said...: This is a dilema! I always put a clean 'guest' towel on the vanity beside the sink when we have guests. However, if they arrive unexpectedly, they have to use the everyday towel hanging on the rod adjacent to the sink. (and some do even when there is a 'nice guest' towel there!). Good post!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...: This has always puzzled me too and so often I will "drip dry" rather than use fancy towels or even paper ones. However, if the paper ones are laying on the counter next to the sink, not in the fancy holder, somehow they feel more like they are saying "use me". Anxious to know what YOU would do or recommend!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , ~CC Catherine said...: Cute post today friend! Hope your summer is treating you well. I leave for my blogging trip on 7/27 to Canada and am so psyched. Still traveling tons to NC and PA ~ Life is Good! Can't wait to post my newly renovated office pics. Just purchased my chandelier last Thursday, another Bohemian Crystal Chandie that I found for just $75 at the one Consignment shoppe I took you to when you were up last. I feel like I'm giving birth to a new baby. haha! ;) Ciao for now... ~CC Catherine
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...: My first thought was that I'd dry them on my clothes....being a germ freak I usually do that anyway, as who knows how clean the last person got their hands before they dried them--lol! But if those starched towels looked really clean, I probably couldn't resist feeling them on the back--they are delightful, and I'm off to PB today!
Ruth
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , JulietK said...: As a physician, I only provide pretty paper towels. It is absurd to expect your guests to all share the same towel!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Paula said...: Yep, I'd be drying my hands on a combination of toilet paper and my own clothes, unless it was summer and I had linen pants on (lol)!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , julie said...: While at someone's home, I always dry my hands on the side hanging in the back , whether decoratve or plain. That way, the front always look fresh and unused.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Smocking with Gwen said...: Susan...I also subscribe to the opinion that if you don't want anyone to use it, don't put it out. I decided a few years ago as I was approaching 60....who am I "saving" this stuff for....USE IT!!!

The bee towel would be perfect....it already has my monogram on it!!1
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...: Susan, I would automatically use the plain towel because I have "guest" towels hanging that are for show and regular toewls for use. My dilemma has been when you are visiting someone and there are NO towels out! Is it proper to open a cabinet and look for one? I just stood there and shook the water off my hands. Strange what we find ourselves doing!Phyllis
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , jninecostumes said...: I love to put layers of towels in the guest bath, but I make sure they are all washable and not pricey. It's just the combination of colors and maybe tie a pretty ribbon around them.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , marciagd said...: I don't believe I am a germ freak, but it kinda creeps me out to use the same towel as others have used. At a party, that could be quite a few folks. For everyday for the family I leave out a roll of paper towels, and in my master bath, my husband & I each have our own personal towels. I would use the towels which 'looked' the cleanest (like I can see germs), without regard to the decoration.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Linda said...: Why put them out if they can't be used? When my mil passed away she had lots of "pretty" towels they were so old and out dated I used them as rags.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Miss Jean said...: I want to know where to buy those towels! I collect bees!!! If there were no other towels put out, the hostess has to expect the guest to use what is there!!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Ann Haller said...: Ok, I am going to start putting mine out!! Personally, I prefer 3 types of towels.
1. The decorative paper ones, usually easy to buy on sale at Steinmart or Homegoods.
They are great during flu and cold season as well. Bed,Bath, and Beyond has plain one,no design, el cheapo.
2. A everyday monogrammed hand towel. Only used for immediate family. (thrown under the sink,when company comes)
3. The cute and decorative linen kind. Never used. Only out for humor or holidays.
Talk about OCD.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Sally Hamilton said...: What an interesting scenario. If the plain white cotton towel was there that is what I would use, however if the pretty towels were the only thing available, I'd use them - then if they hadn't been used and I wasn't the first in the washroom, I'd wonder what the others before me had done. I kinda feel the same way with beautiful dinner napkins ... I hate to get them dirty but they are napkins and are the only thing available to use.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Mary said...: I have a house of "men." Don't put ANYTHING out that can't be used, eaten, sat on.

I have to keep this in mind when shopping :)

Mary
From Virginia
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...: This is why I usually put pretty decorative paper towels in a tray on my bathroom counter. Sometimes, however, people use the decorative hand towels instead of the decorative paper towels because they feel the paper towels are too pretty to use!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Judi said...: I would not use the pretty towels - I'd flap my hands and wipe then on my pants/skirt. With the option of a plain towel I'd use that. BUT if I only put out decorative towels in my bath, I expect my guests to use them. Personally, I think it is somewhat rude for a hostess to not provide an easy choice for guests - sort of like saying my things are more important than my guests.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , The Country Nest said...: I love the bee towels and they are towels and towels are meant to be washed.....I would air dry or ask, ok to use the pretty towels? I think we should always have extra hand towels for anyone to use, after all places like homegroods have a large selection at reasonalble prices. Why not roll them up and put them in a basket for all to use and enjoy?
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , megan said...: I would use one of the towels.
I have large white waffle facecloths which I place in a basket by the sink and a small painted sign which says "Hand Towels, please feel free to use!" I also place a basket to put the dirty ones in. This way, guests know what to use and not everyone is using the same towel.
This is especially useful in flu season!! :)
I think the paper towels someone mentioned is a great option.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , gena said...: While I think the Bee towels are absolutely adorable, I don't put out anything I don't want ruined - lol ! I have a lovely little tin bucket on the counter next to the sink in our downstairs guest bath and it holds pretty disposable guest towels.

Oh and as far the polls go, I'd be air drying or using my pants too - lol ! The idea of "sharing" a towel with anyone kind of skeeves me out !!!!

LOVE your blog, come hear at least once a day !

gena
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Suzy said...: If the hostess has only provided the linen towels, I would use them. I would not feel that to be any more inconsiderte than a hostess who provided nothing more practical, or, worse yet, a hostess who would be upset if a guest did use the linen towels.

When entertaining, you can have the most elegant home, flowers, food, etc. However, if the host/hostess doesn't make the guest feel welcome and comfortable, that is a poor hostess
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...: Good post! I also need the dry my hands on my clothes option! Being a germ freak I always avoid the common towel. I would have used my top in both cases. I get disposable paper ones for our guest bath. Did you buy the pottery barn bee ones? I am wanting to hit up PB now!

Betsy
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Hollace said...: Honestly, I would shake the water off and then pat my hands back and front against my skirt just in case I got stuck having to shake someone's hand after leaving the PR.
I don't like the folded printed party paper towels, they seem as 'no touch' as the bees. Regular paper towels, no problem.
I don't like leaving my bath towels out on the rods for fear some one will wipe their hands on them rather than the handtowel I leave out.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Sherri said...: I guess I look at things different. When I walk into a room I'm always looking at it with a decorative EYE and not functionality.I understand your other guests comment(don't put it out if you don't want it used)BUT..I would still use my pants and or white plain towel and with dried hands would stand back and appreciate your decorating talents.
http://twotulipstalking.blogspot.com/ Very Fun Post Susan..
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Lindy D. said...: I think you those towels would make guests nervous. Good manners involve making guests feel fully at ease. I use decorative paper guest towels in a tray for a party. I always use one first and put it in the trash, so people can follow my example.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Mary L said...: I think it is fine to use pretty towels in decorating a bathroom or powder room (I do it in all my bathrooms), I also provide a sensible towel beside each sink for drying ones hands. I have never had anyone not use the towel on the sink.
I can relate to the comment about letting the workmen use the bath, I had a new sofa delivered and one of the delivery guys ask if he could use my bathroom so I said yes. When he left it was just horrible the mess he left and the odor was so bad it took me several hours of candle burning to remove the stench. How would you all handle this situation in the future? Please help?

Mary L
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , My Cozy Corner said...: Hi Susan,
You are so silly. I love you and your blog. Everyday I look to see what you are going to post. Good job!!! Entertaining blog land is so much fun.
xo
Betty
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Sue said...: I would not be the first one to use the beautiful towels. I'd slip into the kitchen and grab a paper towel.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Marlis said...: I have decorative paper towels lying by the sink just so that no one is confused. LOL..I know what you mean. I have monogrammed towels, several sets and I used to stack those (still do for small events). That is what they are for. You can't take them with you! ;-) many blessings, marlis
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Marigene said...: If the pretty bee towels are out, it would be assumed they are for use...at least in my home that would be the case.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , On Crooked Creek said...: Susan,
Good questions!!!
In our guest bath (also, my bath) when we're expecting guest, I place the long paper napkins (sometimes marketed as guest towels) in a bamboo napkin holder on the sink. The guest may choose to use the starched, white, antique, linen towels or the paper towels. Most use the paper towels!
I'll be watching for results!!!
Fondly,
Pat
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , mrsben said...: Considering I just washed my hands and the only available towels are these; yes I would use one to dry my 'W'ittle Hands ... but ... ensure at the same time I would reposition it the same way. :)

Myself, the washrooms used by guests or visitors are always equipped with my best hand towels but I also include a supply of decorative finger-tip paper ones just for an option. With that said, from my experience the majority will usually use the paper ones. -Brenda-
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Sarah said...: Fun post, Susan. I always have freshly starched vintage linen towels out when guest come over, but I hang them over a clean terry hand towel. I expect my guests to use the linen, but offer the choice in case they aren't comfortable with vintage linen. My husband pushes the vintage aside and uses the terry. I use the linen. ;-)
Great questions! ~ Sarah
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Angela said...: There's always such fun at your blog. Of course if you're someone's guest you probably like them and if they've put out both, it's obvious they want you to use the plain towel so I use the plain towel. But, I don't do that to my guests. If a nicer towel is out, that's the only one available. I believe in using the nice things we have, every day (unless it has sentimental value then I just display the item). What's the use in having the towel if no one uses it. Besides, the faster they get worn out, the sooner you get to buy something pretty and different.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Bonnie said...: Love these polls because most of us have faced these kind of challenges!
I would NOT use the bee towels - if the white towel were there, I'd use it. But, if not, I'd use a tissue or something and then ask the hostess if she had a hand towel to put out...
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , cheryl said...: I'm of the belief that nothing is bought to be "saved", however, I wouldn't use the starched, crisp guest towels. If there were nothing else, my clothes would have to do! But, the best thing to do is have paper guest towels. They are pretty and much more sanitary.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Tracy B said...: Dry them on my clothes! And for the second choice, use the "regular" hand towel... I would never want to soil those pretty towels!
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Mid-Atlantic Martha said...: I don't put it out if I don't expect it to be used --- I usually layer about 6 guest towels in my downstairs bath and hang a terry towel on a ring beside the sink -- I would put out paper ones too, but my vanity isn't large enough. But I have to say, seldom are the guest towels used.
At Tuesday, July 12, 2011 , Cindy said...: I would use the pretty towel in the first scenario and the plain one in the second scenario. I use nice towels in our powder bath and I expect our guests to use them. No use in having nice things if you don't use and enjoy them!
At Wednesday, July 13, 2011 , Lisa R C said...: What a wonderful post! I have never made anything that I didn't want the guest/friend/family member to use/eat after I went to all of that trouble. Now for the lady whose husband had grease on this hands, well, we might have had a chat!
At Wednesday, July 13, 2011 , thepurplerose said...: I would dry my hands on my pants. Like I do at home!!! LOL!!
At Wednesday, July 13, 2011 , A Perfect Setting said...: I agree with Cheryl. I have nice decorative towels on display, but I also have decorative paper guest towels at the sink in the powder room for my guests and family to use.
At Thursday, July 14, 2011 , Sela said...: If the plain towel was available, I would use the plain towel - unless it had been used already. I attend an in-home bible study where the hostess places out a basket of rolled washcloths to use as handtowels, along with a basket to place the used ones in. Great ideas for us borderline germaphobes.

This was a great question and a lesson for the hostess. If you don't want it to be used don't put it out. And if you do put it out, expect it to be used.
At Friday, July 15, 2011 , Me, still said...: Being raised in a home where the "good" towels were put out when we were expecting company, and they were totally off limits, I always assumed they were only to look at, and NEVER used them. Now that I am wiser (and older) I still like to keep away from the good stuff...do unto others, you know? But I make sure there are regular usable towels handy.
At Friday, July 15, 2011 , Carol said...: Love...love...love this post. I would use the pretty towels if they are out. They are towels, after all, and washable. Once went to a house party (100+ guests) and in the guest bath there were brown, grungey (SP) towels and pretty ones. The pretty ones had a sign pinned to them, "Do not use"....can you imagine!! Where was her mother!!
At Saturday, July 16, 2011 , The Doctor said...: Anyone who has a dinner party and only leaves their best decorative towels for their quests to use are only deluding themselves if they think no one will use them. A good host would have an alternative to the good towels.
At Sunday, July 17, 2011 , Anonymous said...: Go to Sam's/Costco, etc. and
purchase those white auto
wiper terry cloths...dye to
match your powder room, roll
them up in a pretty basket,
set near a pretty wicker
waste basket for disposal &
ultimate laundering. (leave
one disposed in waste basket
for hint~wink) Pretty look
and practical, ultimate
solution. As for that
repairman, always have
air freshener displayed in
an obvious place...even for
those more considerate....
At Tuesday, July 19, 2011 , Carolyn and Ron said...: Just stumbled upon your post and have never commented before but here goes....
In the first scenereo I would use the bee towels, but I would wipe my hands on the backs of the towels and not the designed side. Funny story I read once in the Readers Digest jokes and have never forgotten it: Wife is preparing for a party and working hard to clean house. When she finishes bathroom, she hangs fresh towels and pins a reminder for her husband and teenagers to "Don't anyone DARE use these towels!" That evening she has a very successful party. When the last guest leaves and she goes into her bathroom, there are all her towels, unused and hanging in pristine condition with the note still attached! I loved that! It sounds like something that would happen to me!
At Tuesday, July 19, 2011 , Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...: Caroyn, that is hysterical. I can so see me doing that! :) I always manage to forget something I really wanted to use or serve at a party. Thanks for sharing that!

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Jul 12, 2011

What Would You Do? Two Situations, Two Polls

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