The necktie napkin picnic table is the ultimate in outdoor dining

These students in Taiwan have taken dining to a whole new level. This spruce moose of a picnic table gets high points for creativity, but also comes with a commitment to fully engage the person you are dining with.

The napkin table folds out from a purse looking bag which then is attached to your neck and the neck of the person you are about to weirdly eat with. A strap goes around your neck and the table hangs between you as you are now forced to really pay attention to what the other diner is doing.

There are little slots to hold cutlery and more, and if you need a napkin, a flap near the neck harness (?) is there to help you out.  So… why the napkin table?  One of the creators, Honlu Jan, say this in his video write up.

It is a product responding to the dining culture which is influenced by the modern technology. Communication technology should make us more convenient to connect with others, however, it seems like we are more unfamiliar with our friends and folks when sitting on the dining table.This conclusion inspires us to figure out if there is a new tableware which can improve the relationship and interaction between people when eating.

Instructions

Yes.  This table has instructions.  Missing from the instructions are a few safety tips, like NO kissing or hand talking while wearing this table. It will just make a mess.  Also, there will be no flailing should a bug or wasp join you for lunch… you may break your date’s neck!

Here’s another video if you didn’t get enough.

As much as I am one for new ideas and creativity, aren’t tables and chairs social enough?  Do we really need to be PHYSICALLY ATTACHED BY OUR NECKS to engage in meaningful conversations and to have a nice meal with someone?  That being said, I have spent some time living in China, and the university students there would LOVE this product!  Might go nicely as an alternative to picnic pants.

Via Design Boom