What is the difference between placing your napkin on you lap vs. your under your chin?

I think if you place it under your chin it shows how sloppy you can be as people can see the stains. But if you place it on your lap you can secretly wipe your hands without being looked at!

Better not to spill your food at all if you can help it. :)

Most fancy resteraunts want you to place it in your lap because it's out of sight, while resteraunts like Denny's or Ihop would not mind if it were around your neck. As for bigger people, they would probably have exceptions.

lap is more decent looking under your chin is because your a messy eater ,or about to eat sum bar b q ribs or sumthing

Fat pigs and babies- under chin. Civilized human beings- on the lap.

I think you have the answer there. The only folks I see with the chin method have zero chance of something hitting their lap. I started putting one on my lap because I always saw my g-ma and g-pa do it, so I started doing it.

i think it depends on what you eat..under your chin usually thing what would splatter,and on your lap thing that would fall

Well, the difference is, according to etiquette rules, you should never place a napkin under your chin! Always in your lap. I don't know if there is a specific rule for for heavy people -- I would imagine it would be proper to lay the napkin to your side on the booth seat if you were unable to access your lap. However, even if your stomach touches the table, you can still place something in your lap under the table. I'm not huge and sometimes the booth you're in is a tight fit, no matter your size. If you can put it in your lap, put it beside you on the seat.

I believe that per etiquette rules, the lap is the proper place to put the napkin. However, by personal opinion, lobster meals should always require it under the chin. Under the chin, by my opinion, indicates a slob who needs a bib. Now to be funny, It all depends on how far out your boobs, or tummy stick out. If the food can fall from the mouth to the lap unhindered, then it's on the lap. If it can pass the chest, but lands on the belly, button or otherwise attach the napkin to cover the belly. If it goes down your chest, then tuck it under the chin!! LOL