gsh | why does this seem familiar

I expect this to involve

tamarrine.

From Miss Manners:

Dear Miss Manners:

A restaurant where we dine folds the napkins in such a way that they can be used as alligator hand puppets. Most tables are set for four, and there are only three of us including my daughter, so after properly placing our napkins in our laps after we sit down, there is still an extra napkin begging to be used as a puppet.

Since there is no rule (that I know of) specifically forbidding the use of spare napkins as alligator puppets, and since we have correctly followed all napkin rules by placing our designated napkins in our laps, I believe that using spare napkins for entertainment purposes is fine. Although my wife cannot cite a specific offense, she still thinks we shouldn't do it just because it is unusual and out of the ordinary.

Can you please share your opinion on this matter?

It is that the restaurant has created what Miss Manners believes is legally known as an attractive nuisance and, not having cleared the unused place setting, could not expect you to resist the puppet's begging to be used.

However, if the puppet starts eating from people's plates, she will have considered that you went too far.