Peter:'Do you want any bread with the food?'
Juan:'Yes, I would like some.'
Peter:'I'll ask the waiter to bring us some.'
Juan:'By the way, what do you call the thing which they normally put the bread in when you are eating in a restaurant?'
Peter:'Normally, they bring it in a basket and leave that on the table. But sometimes they may just leave a small piece of bread on the table, next to your plate.'
Juan:'Ok. What do you call the thing that covers the actual table? Normally, it is white and it's made from cotton.'
Peter:'That is called a tablecloth. It not only makes the table look nicer, but it is also there to protect the actual table from getting damaged or dirty.'
Juan:'I have seen in some restaurants that they use something else to protect the table, not a tablecloth, but a rectangular or circular piece of plastic directly in front of the person eating on the table which the waiter places their plates of food on.'
Peter:'That is called a place mat and one goes in front of each person eating. There is also something which you don't see in restaurant tables, but in bars, pubs or in people's homes which are used to protect tables from getting damaged by drinks. They are called coasters and are a lot smaller than place mats.'
Juan:'Talking about protection from getting dirty, what do you call the thing made from material, like a tablecloth, which you find on the table when you first sit down and which people then put on their laps while eating to stop food from landing on their trousers or skirt.'
Peter:'That's called a table napkin. Some people don't know that they are used to cover their legs and instead use them to clean their hands with. They should use a serviette to do that, pieces of paper which you will always find on the table.'
Juan:'I have to admit that I used to do that, but now I know what a table napkin is for.'
Peter:'It's good to know that you do if you are eating with me.'
Juan:'I don't know why but I always get food stuck in my teeth when I am eating. What do you call the small thin wooden sticks which you use to get it out with?'
Peter:'In English we call them toothpicks. I will tell you if you have any food in your teeth and we'll ask the waiter to bring you a toothpick.'
Juan:'Thank you Peter.'