By: Tele Figueroa
June 19, 2026
I don’t want you to think I’ve become overly dramatic or, to put it plainly, too picky. Not at all. But there are certain mysteries of daily life that deserve a closer look, and today I want to talk about one that I’m sure has happened to you more than once.
Who among you has gone to a restaurant and, upon resting your arms on the table, felt them literally get stuck?
It’s an uncomfortable, almost magnetic sensation. You try to lift your arm with elegance, but the table offers resistance. A few days ago, while discussing the matter with my dear granddaughter, she enlightened me with some flawless wisdom:
…“Foro, that’s because of the ‘paño abombao’ (the sour cloth).”
And how right she is. If we carefully observe the ecosystem of certain dining rooms, you’ll notice that many servers walk around with a multi-purpose cloth that is practically a double-edged sword. With that exact same cloth, they wipe down the table, the chairs, the booth, and who knows how many other surfaces, dragging along an indecipherable mixture of moisture and mystery. I don’t know what supposedly “wonderful” liquid they use to sanitize, but the final result is a surface with tactile memory.
Out of pure courtesy, I won’t name the restaurant that sparked this reflection. However, while browsing their website, I discovered they have a section reserved exclusively for complaints and feedback. And you know what? I’ve made up my mind. I am going to treat them to a succulent review, seasoned with the absolute truth of the paño abombao.
I want to make it clear, just so no one gets offended, that this doesn’t apply to all restaurants. Fortunately, there are plenty of places that do things the way they ought to be done, with clean cloths and spotless tables.
But I’m still curious… Has this happened to you too, or am I just becoming a bit too nitpicky?
Bon appétit… and watch where you put your elbows!
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