> Usually the placemats are loaded with ads

Somehow, it doesn't surprise me that is a thing in America.

I've seen this in Europe since I was pretty young as well. Usually they were little entries on the edge of the placemats that looked like classifieds. Advertising hotels, museums, and maybe shops? I can't fully picture them but I'm pretty sure I've seen something like this in french, italian, english, dutch, and maybe danish or german? It might have something to do with where we stayed or ate but in general my travel has been business focused and we have been in smaller towns.

Some very sensitive Americans must have downvoted that (rather factual) post!

Call it a comment on capitalism or what you will.