"pretty towels"

have you ever been to someone's house who has those towels in the bathroom that are really nice and pretty and decorative, but as far as the ability to dry things goes, they just can't? all they do is spread out the wet; they don't actually absorb it. can someone explain this to me? last time i checked, the purpose of a towel was TO DRY things. i don't understand these towels that just look pretty. why would you spend money on that? (this speaks volumes about my personality, actually. i'm obviously much more concerned with functionality than with appearance). and you can't tell me these "pretty towels" are less expensive than the towels that may not be as decorative but do actually dry things. in fact, i'm willing to bet they're more than just a little bit more expensive.

but seriously, are there not "pretty towels" that are also made of a material that is absorbant? i hear there's this remarkable new stuff called terry cloth...