A Square Meal on a Round Table?

The question of placemat shape, my friend, is one that has plagued even the most discerning host since the dawn of the dinner party. Some, slaves to convention, will tell you that a rectangular table demands a rectangular placemat, a square echoing its square brother. “Harmony,” they’ll cry, “a symphony of straight lines!” Bah! What is life without a little daring?

Consider, if you will, the humble circle. A shape of completion, of unity, it brings a touch of the unexpected to the most stolid of dining sets. A metallic charger, gleaming beneath a crystal wine glass—ah, that is a touch of elegance even the most jaded Babbitt would envy.

And for those who favor the whimsical, let us not forget the oval. It echoes the curves of a well-set table, suggesting a certain joie de vivre, a refusal to be bound by the tyranny of right angles.

But I caution you, my friend, against the lure of novelty for novelty’s sake. A placemat shaped like a fish might amuse the children, but will it stand the test of time, of countless meals served and stories shared?

Ultimately, the shape of your placemats, like the tilt of your hat or the choice of your necktie, is a declaration of your own personal style. Choose boldly, my friend, and may your table always be a haven of good taste and stimulating conversation.