What does a Napkin on a Pint Glass Mean?

After laughing at the phenomom for a few years and being generally amused by it something crazy has come to my attention. Crazy enough to make me google what it means...and being shocked to learn there was no answer. Nothing on Wiki, nothing in Urban Dictionary, heck nothing even on a blog.

MOST(keep reading) of us understand that when your a casual bar (I don't know what goes on in dance clubs) where there is room to sit and stand a like, you can place a napkin on your drink to signal to all interested parties that you are not done yet.

This will allow you to
-go out for a smoke
-go to the bathroom
-go hit on that girl you've been convincing yourself is waiting for you to hit on her but you don't want to commit to losing your seat

In general it makes notice that you intend to return and continue to sit there or at the very least for the friendly bartender to not dump your beverage.

Again, its like calling "fives" but also saves your drink.

In hindsight, its pretty geniues and I like to give a big shout out to the fellow, fellows or lady that "invented" it.

The first time I think I noticed it was 3 years ago at th Toasted Owl in Northampton when 3 gals went out for a smoke and promptly covered up their various drinks with napkins or coasters. Me and The Smooth immediatly chuckled, thinking this was there way to stop the Roofer from dropping a sleepy into their drink.
"hahahaha" we thought. Why would this stop someone. It would be like putting a sign up on your bag of money asking for it to please not be taken.

But as we all know now, these clever ladies were letting the bartender and us know that they were returning and not to mess with their territory.

Which brings up my previous mentioned confusion.

This week my brother has moved to Bethleham, PA. Where he lives above a sports bar. One night while working his thing and making new friends he placed a napkin on his pint, went out for a smoke, only to return and find his drink gone!

"WTF" he must of said, "Excuse me Mr Bartender, i clearly signaled I was returning. Please offer an apology as well as giving me a refill on the house!"
But, it turns out the bartend did nothing wrong. The local custom has it, that this action ACTUALLY signals that you are done!

While chuckling at this difference in cultures, some old fellow pops in with a story of how he's traveled the country with the military and that Western Penn is the only place in the world where he's seen that a Napkin on a Pint means you are leaving.

Conclusion, What does it all mean?

Which brings me to my conclusion, For one, I'm left to assume the older gentlemen was not fibbing and that Western PA is the only place where this is true. And like any good pondering...leaves me with:
-Where did this custom start?-
-Is it really true what Western PA is different than the rest of the world, if some, what else is different there? Should my brother be concerned?

Anyways....Andrew signing off.... please check back often for more adventures!