Sporks are so 20th century.

http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
t-18-0-matte

--
Julian Vrieslander

On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
> http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
> t-18-0-matte

Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
for thing. Heh.

nancy

On Sat, 25 May 2013 08:15:19 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:

> On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
> > http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
> > t-18-0-matte
>
> Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
> for thing. Heh.
>
I must not be seeing what you two are seeing. I'm looking at ordinary
flatware... if that's the joke, it whizzed right past me.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 5/25/2013 10:46 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 25 May 2013 08:15:19 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
>> On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
>>> http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
>>> t-18-0-matte
>>
>> Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
>> for thing. Heh.
>>
> I must not be seeing what you two are seeing. I'm looking at ordinary
> flatware... if that's the joke, it whizzed right past me.
>
One side of the fork is shaped like the business side of a knife, and
intended to be used as a knife instead of having to pick up another
utensil.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On Sat, 25 May 2013 11:39:06 -0400, Cheryl >
wrote:

> On 5/25/2013 10:46 AM, sf wrote:
> > On Sat, 25 May 2013 08:15:19 -0400, Nancy Young
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
> >>> http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
> >>> t-18-0-matte
> >>
> >> Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
> >> for thing. Heh.
> >>
> > I must not be seeing what you two are seeing. I'm looking at ordinary
> > flatware... if that's the joke, it whizzed right past me.
> >
> One side of the fork is shaped like the business side of a knife, and
> intended to be used as a knife instead of having to pick up another
> utensil.

Oh, okay. Somehow, I can manage to do that with my fork anyway.
Thanks.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 5/25/2013 11:39 AM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 5/25/2013 10:46 AM, sf wrote:
>> On Sat, 25 May 2013 08:15:19 -0400, Nancy Young
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
>>>> http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
>>>>
>>>> t-18-0-matte
>>>
>>> Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
>>> for thing. Heh.
>>>
>> I must not be seeing what you two are seeing. I'm looking at ordinary
>> flatware... if that's the joke, it whizzed right past me.
>>
> One side of the fork is shaped like the business side of a knife, and
> intended to be used as a knife instead of having to pick up another
> utensil.
>
Yeah... but then why do they also sell knives and spoons? The site also
says it's not intended to replace the knife. Apparently this guy was
traumatized about a potential cutlery blunder... in front of girls! In
the school cafeteria. Sheesh.

What, his parents didn't teach him how to use a knife and fork? Maybe
he never left the house until he was a teenager who suddenly found
himself in the school cafeteria.

Who drops out of medical school to create a new style of flatware?
Um... someone I'm glad didn't wind up being my doctor.

Jill

On Sunday, 26 May 2013 02:08:14 UTC+10, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 25 May 2013 11:39:06 -0400, Cheryl wrote:
>
> > One side of the fork is shaped like the business side of a knife, and
> > intended to be used as a knife instead of having to pick up another
> > utensil.
>
> Oh, okay. Somehow, I can manage to do that with my fork anyway.

Not everybody can. IME, these are mostly marketed at people with disabilities. Don't know if that was the goal of the designer, but they would be useful for some people.

Should work as a superior buffet fork for dry chunky food, but a knife-edged spork (or knife-edged but otherwise regular buffet fork) would be better.

On 5/25/2013 12:16 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>
> Yeah... but then why do they also sell knives and spoons? The site also
> says it's not intended to replace the knife. Apparently this guy was
> traumatized about a potential cutlery blunder... in front of girls! In
> the school cafeteria. Sheesh.
>
> What, his parents didn't teach him how to use a knife and fork? Maybe
> he never left the house until he was a teenager who suddenly found
> himself in the school cafeteria.
>
> Who drops out of medical school to create a new style of flatware? Um...
> someone I'm glad didn't wind up being my doctor.

They wouldn't be my flatware of choice, but you have to hand it to him
to think of something new. Without innovation we're all kind of stuck.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 5/25/2013 7:25 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 5/25/2013 12:16 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>
>>
>> Who drops out of medical school to create a new style of flatware? Um...
>> someone I'm glad didn't wind up being my doctor.
>
> They wouldn't be my flatware of choice, but you have to hand it to him
> to think of something new. Without innovation we're all kind of stuck.
>
There's nothing at all wrong with innovation. I was along the lines of
maybe he should have become a surgeon and invented a newfangled scalpel.

Jill

In article om>,
Cheryl > wrote:

> On 5/25/2013 10:46 AM, sf wrote:
> > On Sat, 25 May 2013 08:15:19 -0400, Nancy Young
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
> >>> http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
> >>> t-18-0-matte
> >>
> >> Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
> >> for thing. Heh.
> >>
> > I must not be seeing what you two are seeing. I'm looking at ordinary
> > flatware... if that's the joke, it whizzed right past me.
> >
> One side of the fork is shaped like the business side of a knife, and
> intended to be used as a knife instead of having to pick up another
> utensil.

The handle is flattened on the sides, to make it easier to apply
pressure when using the knork to cut. It's explained, and demo'ed, in
their video.

Clever idea, although not exactly as revolutionary os the electric light
bulb, or the Bass-O-Matic.

Cindy and I recently bought a new set of flatware, and we might have
considered the Knork technology if we had known about it. I think they
are rather attractive. My main reservation would be the added weight.
Heavy utensils feel more "luxurious" at first grab, but I find that they
are more likely to fall off the plate or table when put down (at least
for clumsy old me).

The stuff we chose also has an unusual knife design

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/hencke...asera-flatware
-set-p114248

.... but no fnifes or knorks.

--
Julian Vrieslander

> <http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-bar/knork-20-piece-complete-flatware-set-18-0-matte>
>

Who's there?

On Sat, 25 May 2013 21:52:32 -0500, barbie gee >
wrote:

>
>
>On Sat, 25 May 2013, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> On 5/25/2013 11:39 AM, Cheryl wrote:
>>> On 5/25/2013 10:46 AM, sf wrote:
>>>> On Sat, 25 May 2013 08:15:19 -0400, Nancy Young
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 5/25/2013 5:43 AM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:
>>>>>> http://www.thegrommet.com/kitchen-ba...te-flatware-se
>>>>>>
>>>>>> t-18-0-matte
>>>>>
>>>>> Not a bad idea, except for that whole Eating pizza with a
>>>>> for thing. Heh.
>>>>>
>>>> I must not be seeing what you two are seeing. I'm looking at ordinary
>>>> flatware... if that's the joke, it whizzed right past me.
>>>>
>>> One side of the fork is shaped like the business side of a knife, and
>>> intended to be used as a knife instead of having to pick up another
>>> utensil.
>>>
>> Yeah... but then why do they also sell knives and spoons? The site also says
>> it's not intended to replace the knife. Apparently this guy was traumatized
>> about a potential cutlery blunder... in front of girls! In the school
>> cafeteria. Sheesh.
>>
>> What, his parents didn't teach him how to use a knife and fork? Maybe he
>> never left the house until he was a teenager who suddenly found himself in
>> the school cafeteria.
>
>Start watching how people eat next time you're out at a restaurant. I've
>begun to notice that, yes, indeed, parents are NOT teaching their kids how
>to use a knife and fork. I see young folks eating with their forks and
>spoons clenched in their fist. Stabbing their meat with their enfisted
>fork while sawing at it with their knives. Apalling.
>
>And, my sister and I had an interesting realization, when she replaced a
>set of flatware that she's had for 35+ years. We held the pieces up to
>her old set, and the fork was gigantic. The teaspoon, not a "teaspoon" at
>all, but some sort of giant utensils. Even our flatware has all been
>"supersized".

You purchased a particular style -- here in the States I believe that
it is called European style. the other size is still available.
Janet US

On Sat, 25 May 2013 17:32:10 -0700, Julian Vrieslander
> wrote:

> Cindy and I recently bought a new set of flatware, and we might have
> considered the Knork technology if we had known about it. I think they
> are rather attractive. My main reservation would be the added weight.
> Heavy utensils feel more "luxurious" at first grab, but I find that they
> are more likely to fall off the plate or table when put down (at least
> for clumsy old me).

All sets of flatware have a learning curve (especially the adult style
sets with heft - if you're not used to that sort of thing). That's
the nature of the beast - especially if you're willing to suffer
disappointment along the way.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

In article >,
sf > wrote:

> On Sat, 25 May 2013 17:32:10 -0700, Julian Vrieslander
> > wrote:
>
> > Heavy utensils feel more "luxurious" at first grab, but I find that they
> > are more likely to fall off the plate or table when put down (at least
> > for clumsy old me).
>
> All sets of flatware have a learning curve (especially the adult style
> sets with heft - if you're not used to that sort of thing). That's
> the nature of the beast - especially if you're willing to suffer
> disappointment along the way.

Maybe I'm a slow learner. But I think it's also a matter of design. I
have another flatware set made by Mikasa. Very nice modern simple
shapes, in high quality 18/10 stainless. But the utensils have very
heavy solid metal handles, with balance points far from the working end.
That, plus the rounded cross sections of the handles, is what causes
them to tilt and fall off my plate, or off the table, if I am not
careful when I put them down.

--
Julian Vrieslander

On 5/26/2013 12:12 AM, Janet Bostwick wrote:
> On Sat, 25 May 2013 21:52:32 -0500, barbie gee >
> wrote:

>> And, my sister and I had an interesting realization, when she replaced a
>> set of flatware that she's had for 35+ years. We held the pieces up to
>> her old set, and the fork was gigantic. The teaspoon, not a "teaspoon" at
>> all, but some sort of giant utensils. Even our flatware has all been
>> "supersized".
>
> You purchased a particular style -- here in the States I believe that
> it is called European style. the other size is still available.

I replaced my flatware last year, too, and while the utensils are
much heavier, they aren't enormous. I saw large style sets when
I was looking, of course.

I just wanted new stuff that was more sturdy, it's not something I
replace very often.

nancy

On 5/25/2013 8:32 PM, Julian Vrieslander wrote:

> Cindy and I recently bought a new set of flatware, and we might have
> considered the Knork technology if we had known about it. I think they
> are rather attractive. My main reservation would be the added weight.
> Heavy utensils feel more "luxurious" at first grab, but I find that they
> are more likely to fall off the plate or table when put down (at least
> for clumsy old me).

My new plates (geez, I didn't set out to replace all my stuff, but
my dishes were purchased in 1979 and I was tired of them) are plain
white, very nice looking but they have no rim. It's been a learning
curve to keep my new flatware from sliding off the edge into my food.

Gooey fork handle, grrr. One of life's little irritations.

nancy

On Sat, 25 May 2013 21:52:32 -0500, barbie gee >
wrote:

> Start watching how people eat next time you're out at a restaurant. I've
> begun to notice that, yes, indeed, parents are NOT teaching their kids how
> to use a knife and fork. I see young folks eating with their forks and
> spoons clenched in their fist. Stabbing their meat with their enfisted
> fork while sawing at it with their knives. Apalling.

I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
because it's impossible to miss.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 5/26/2013 10:51 AM, barbie gee wrote:
>
>
> On Sun, 26 May 2013, Nancy Young wrote:

>> I just wanted new stuff that was more sturdy, it's not something I
>> replace very often.
>
> This leads to another question!
> How often DO people replace flatware, if ever? How many pieces have to
> disappear before you buy a new set?

I was running low on teaspoons. Of course I could just buy more that
were similar in appearance (or not). It's not that my previous
stuff was flimsy, but I wanted heavier stuff.


> My stuff, I've had for, um, well, something over 30 years now! It's
> just one of those things I "have" and I've never thought to change. It
> works, I like it.

One reason I waited so long as it's not every day I see a new style
that both of us will like. Easier to just keep what you have. But
I was in Crate and Barrel outlet one day and saw a set and bought it,
and ordered extra teaspoons. It's not like it cost the earth.


> Now, daily dinnerware, plates and such, I can see replacing more
> frequently, especially if breakage is high.

My dishes were far older than my flatware. They were made from
something called durable china, by Franciscan, the same company that
made Desert Rose, but mine weren't anything like that. I hesitated
to replace them because I didn't want to go to something that was
going to chip all the time.

nancy

On Sun, 26 May 2013 09:51:05 -0500, barbie gee >
wrote:

>
>
> On Sun, 26 May 2013, Nancy Young wrote:
>
> > On 5/26/2013 12:12 AM, Janet Bostwick wrote:
> >> On Sat, 25 May 2013 21:52:32 -0500, barbie gee >
> >> wrote:
> >
> >>> And, my sister and I had an interesting realization, when she replaced a
> >>> set of flatware that she's had for 35+ years. We held the pieces up to
> >>> her old set, and the fork was gigantic. The teaspoon, not a "teaspoon" at
> >>> all, but some sort of giant utensils. Even our flatware has all been
> >>> "supersized".
> >>
> >> You purchased a particular style -- here in the States I believe that
> >> it is called European style. the other size is still available.
> >
> > I replaced my flatware last year, too, and while the utensils are
> > much heavier, they aren't enormous. I saw large style sets when
> > I was looking, of course.
> >
> > I just wanted new stuff that was more sturdy, it's not something I
> > replace very often.
>
> This leads to another question!
> How often DO people replace flatware, if ever?

For me, 10-15 years - I'm on my third set.

> How many pieces have to
> disappear before you buy a new set?

Zero. I rarely to never lose pieces, even when the kids were kids. I
just get tired of looking at it, so I change it.
>
> My stuff, I've had for, um, well, something over 30 years now! It's just
> one of those things I "have" and I've never thought to change. It works,
> I like it.
>
> Now, daily dinnerware, plates and such, I can see replacing more
> frequently, especially if breakage is high.

My daily set of dishes is china - always has been. Again, I change
them because I get tired of looking at them - not because of breakage.


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 26 May 2013 09:52:42 -0500, barbie gee >
wrote:

>
>
> On Sat, 25 May 2013, sf wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 25 May 2013 17:32:10 -0700, Julian Vrieslander
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> Cindy and I recently bought a new set of flatware, and we might have
> >> considered the Knork technology if we had known about it. I think they
> >> are rather attractive. My main reservation would be the added weight.
> >> Heavy utensils feel more "luxurious" at first grab, but I find that they
> >> are more likely to fall off the plate or table when put down (at least
> >> for clumsy old me).
> >
> > All sets of flatware have a learning curve (especially the adult style
> > sets with heft - if you're not used to that sort of thing). That's
> > the nature of the beast - especially if you're willing to suffer
> > disappointment along the way.
>
> and some is just designed with an "imbalance" to them, that isn't always
> noticeable in the store (assuming you find a place where you can actually
> feel and hold the stuff). Those pieces will drive you CRAZY.

Precisely why I don't buy anything I haven't handled first. There's a
lot of cr*p design out there and I won't support them.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Monday, May 27, 2013 12:51:05 AM UTC+10, barbie gee wrote:
>
> How often DO people replace flatware, if ever? How many pieces have to
> disappear before you buy a new set?

Standard sets are not worth buying for us. Our daily use flatware is buffet forks, chopsticks (mostly bamboo), and Korean spoons.

I did buy a set, 2nd hand, once, maybe 20 years ago. It had sporks! Not enough sporks to feed many people, so we bought some buffet forks, which ended up as our main flatware.

They don't wear out significantly or degrade with age if all-steel (plastic handles die with age), so no need to replace. Replace if you want something new, or if somebody gives you a set you prefer over your old.

On Sunday, May 26, 2013 10:51:05 AM UTC-4, barbie gee wrote:

>
> This leads to another question!
>
> How often DO people replace flatware, if ever? How many pieces have to
>
> disappear before you buy a new set?

I'm using my original sterling and dishes I got in the late sixties. I did buy another set of dishes which look more 'breakfasty", but rarely use em. I have broken two dinner plates from that 60s set, but managed to find replacements on ebay and in a closeout shop. I can't see tying up money in dishes and flatwear, just for the sake of a change.

My mother tho was a dish freak - had quite a few sets, and even had more than one set of stainless flatware. She used her silver only on the big holidays. I can't even begin to think of all the sets of glasses they had.

Kalmia wrote:
> On Sunday, May 26, 2013 10:51:05 AM UTC-4, barbie gee wrote:
>
>>
>> This leads to another question!
>>
>> How often DO people replace flatware, if ever? How many pieces have
>> to
>>
>> disappear before you buy a new set?
>
> I'm using my original sterling and dishes I got in the late sixties.
> I did buy another set of dishes which look more 'breakfasty", but
> rarely use em. I have broken two dinner plates from that 60s set,
> but managed to find replacements on ebay and in a closeout shop. I
> can't see tying up money in dishes and flatwear, just for the sake of
> a change.
>
> My mother tho was a dish freak - had quite a few sets, and even had
> more than one set of stainless flatware. She used her silver only
> on the big holidays. I can't even begin to think of all the sets of
> glasses they had.

I'm almost 54 now and got my first apartment at age 19. My parents gave me
their old flatware. It was fine but nothing matached and some pieces were
not heavy enough feeling for my liking.

I got married at age 35 and was given a nice set of flatware as a wedding
gift. So I got rid of my old flatware, except for the iced tea spoons
because they weren't in the new set. Again, nothing wrong with the old
flatware except that the pieces didn't match.

Then one day after we moved here, forks started to disappear. I did find
one, one day in a box of cereal. That was a baffler. I had complained
about the missing forks. My parents overheard and bought me a cheap set of
forks. Blech. Again they are lightweight. I hate them. Should probably
toss them. For sure I will never use them. But... I had also told my
parents that I bought a new set of flatware so I don't know why they gave me
the forks. But they also don't listen well. They will hear part of what I
say. Like when they asked what I wanted for a gift and I said that I wanted
running socks. But not the kind with the arch supports. They heard running
socks and arch supports so bought me that kind. Or when I said that I
wanted the Rachael Ray oval pasta pot. They heard her name and oval. So
bought me a cast iron oval casserole. Even when I write down what I want,
they won't usually get it right.

Anyway... Blair had a set of flatware that was very similar to what I had
already. It was on clearace for something like $8. I bought it. Was
amazed at the quality and really to me it looks so similar that most people
would not notice the difference. So now I have a little too much of
everything. And I suspect that I won't need another set of it ever. Unless
maybe I become disabled in the hands or something and need those with the
big grip for seniors or something.

I also did buy a set of iced tea spoons that do not match what I have but
they are heavy and I prefer them to the old ones. I do not actually use
them for iced tea but I found them especially handy when I made chocolates
and I often use them for other things. And at one point I had a set of
grapefruit spoons. I rarely used them so got rid of them.

We also have an old set of flatware that was given to us when my husbands's
grandma died. I'm not even sure that he knows that we have them. Was
supposed to have been given a set of her China as well and a soup tureen
from my MIL. But husband wouldn't let me have those. Have since been
gifted with a soup tureen and some bowls that I will likely never use. I
just happened to like my MIL's soup tureen because it was highly decorative.
I didn't even intend to use it. The one I have now is a plain white. And
although I do make lots of soup, I have no reason to serve it from a tureen
and wouldn't want to carry it full of soup to the table. Not that we eat at
the table. We don't. If for some reason my mom every comes to eat here or
we have guests, we would use the table. But not likely that I would serve
them soup. My mom doesn't eat it and neither does my daughter. My husband
will avoid it if possible. I am the soup lover here. And no need to put it
in a tureen to serve myself. Plus the bowls that come with it are small. I
suppose I could use those for something else but for the time being, they
are tucked away with the tureen.

My first set of dishes was Corelle. I liked the pattern but as soon as I
used them, I realized that I did not like them for eating off of. They were
white with pastel flowers all over the dish. I had matching glasses and
pans. The glasses were thin and became crushed to powder in my dishwasher.
The repairman told me not to put glasses in there any more. The pans were
horrid. The enamel chipped right off and food constantly burned in them. I
then made do with a cheap set of enamel pans with no lids until I was gifted
a set of Revereware. I disliked the dishes because they were so busy and
the colors were not appealing to me for food. I realize that I like a more
plain pattern.

My next set of Corelle was a beige with a little pattern around the edge of
dark blue and an orange/red. I had them for years but then the began to
chip and got brittle.

Daughter gifted me with my next set which are the white with the tiny blue
hearts around the edge. They came with a set of glasses. And my parents
gifted me with the matching platter and some kind of custard cup type
things.

Over the years I have had a variety of soup mugs. I really *do* love my
soup and I like a big mug. The bigger the better! My favorites now are
cheap, lightweight black Melamine with a white interior. No, I can't
microwave them but I like the fact that they hold a lot and are light.

I never had china and never wanted any, perhaps because I didn't grow up
with the stuff. Never had silverware and never wanted it. I do not like
fancy dishes and although some here would balk, prefer seasonal paper plates
for holidays or in more recent times, the fancy looking clear plastic ones
along with the plastic flatware in the silver color. Hey! It's a holiday
and I have enough dishes to wash with the stuff I cook.

On Sun, 26 May 2013 09:54:21 -0500, barbie gee >
wrote:

>
>
>On Sun, 26 May 2013, sf wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 25 May 2013 21:52:32 -0500, barbie gee >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Start watching how people eat next time you're out at a restaurant. I've
>>> begun to notice that, yes, indeed, parents are NOT teaching their kids how
>>> to use a knife and fork. I see young folks eating with their forks and
>>> spoons clenched in their fist. Stabbing their meat with their enfisted
>>> fork while sawing at it with their knives. Apalling.
>>
>> I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
>> claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
>> limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
>> because it's impossible to miss.
>
>maybe it's time to search youtube to see if there are examples online to
>SHOW people what we're talking about. :-)

Just watch Jeffrey Steingarten when he is a judge on Iron Chef
America, his table manners are atrocious.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/jef...ten/index.html

koko
--
Food is our common ground, a universal experience
James Beard

www.kokoscornerblog.com

barbie gee wrote:

> Start watching how people eat next time you're out at a restaurant. I've
> begun to notice that, yes, indeed, parents are NOT teaching
> their kids how to use a knife and fork. I see young folks eating
> with their forks and spoons clenched in their fist. Stabbing their
> meat with their enfisted fork while sawing at it with their knives.
> Apalling.

How right, when I look around in a restaurant there's *always* someone
eating the way you just described. And sometimes they're the majority. And
yes, it's the youths who eat like that

> And, my sister and I had an interesting realization, when she
> replaced a set of flatware that she's had for 35+ years. We held the
> pieces up to her old set, and the fork was gigantic. The teaspoon,
> not a "teaspoon" at all, but some sort of giant utensils. Even our
> flatware has all been "supersized".

LOL
--
"Un pasto senza vino e' come un giorno senza sole"
Anthelme Brillat Savarin

On Monday, May 27, 2013 3:34:04 PM UTC+10, barbie gee wrote:
> On Sun, 26 May 2013, Timo wrote:
> > On Monday, May 27, 2013 12:51:05 AM UTC+10, barbie gee wrote:
> >>
> >> How often DO people replace flatware, if ever? How many pieces have to
> >> disappear before you buy a new set?
> >
> > Standard sets are not worth buying for us. Our daily use flatware is buffet forks, chopsticks (mostly bamboo), and Korean spoons.
> >
> > I did buy a set, 2nd hand, once, maybe 20 years ago. It had sporks! Not enough sporks to feed many people, so we bought some buffet forks, which ended up as our main flatware.
>
> What's a "buffet fork"?

A sporkish fork, intended for one-handed all-purpose eating. I don't usually cook knife-needing food, so they are good for us.

On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 25 May 2013 21:52:32 -0500, barbie gee >
> wrote:
>
>> Start watching how people eat next time you're out at a restaurant. I've
>> begun to notice that, yes, indeed, parents are NOT teaching their kids how
>> to use a knife and fork. I see young folks eating with their forks and
>> spoons clenched in their fist. Stabbing their meat with their enfisted
>> fork while sawing at it with their knives. Apalling.
>
> I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
> claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
> limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
> because it's impossible to miss.
>
I guess I don't go to places where there are a lot of "young people". I
definitely avoid restaurants geared towards families. (Nope, I'm not
talking about the Club.) Unless someone is being a complete slob I
simply don't notice how anyone holds their utensils. If I ever did see
an adult doing so in a restaurant I sure don't remember it.

Jill

On 5/26/2013 9:22 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
> I replaced my flatware last year, too, and while the utensils are
> much heavier, they aren't enormous. I saw large style sets when
> I was looking, of course.
>
> I just wanted new stuff that was more sturdy, it's not something I
> replace very often.

I replaced mine a few years ago. I never had flatware that I'd bought
myself and it was fun to see the sets available. My new set is also
much heavier than the old set and the table knives are longer. So long
that they don't really fit well into the drawer organizer slot. But I
like them.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:

> I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
> claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
> limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
> because it's impossible to miss.

The other option is that we just don't care, or don't scrutinize other
people in a restaurant.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 5/26/2013 9:53 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> I got married at age 35 and was given a nice set of flatware as a wedding
> gift. So I got rid of my old flatware, except for the iced tea spoons
> because they weren't in the new set. Again, nothing wrong with the old
> flatware except that the pieces didn't match.
>
Awwww! Some of us didn't think ahead!

> Then one day after we moved here, forks started to disappear. I did find
> one, one day in a box of cereal. That was a baffler. I had complained
> about the missing forks.

Oh this is priceless. Your forks started disappearing. Who did you
complain to? The clueless person eating dry cereal out of a box with a
*fork*? Or the clueless person who threw away the box of cereal without
noticing there was a fork in it? Or even a spoon, for that matter.

> My parents overheard and bought me a cheap set of
> forks. Blech. Again they are lightweight. I hate them. Should probably
> toss them. For sure I will never use them.

Toss them? Just because you don't like them?

You [alledgedly] donate to the food bank all the time. Yet you'd throw
away forks you don't like rather than donate them to a charity that runs
a thrift shop? GoodWill or something? Just give them a call, they'll
tell you. Many places will also pick up.

I'm sure there are a ton of people who wouldn't give a crap if those
forks are "lightweight". It makes more sense to donate them than to
toss them in the trash. Face it, people who don't have a lot of money
aren't looking for sets of matching flatware.

Jill

On 5/27/2013 7:05 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:
>
>> I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
>> claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
>> limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
>> because it's impossible to miss.
>
> The other option is that we just don't care, or don't scrutinize other
> people in a restaurant.
>
Yeah, that's pretty much the way I feel about it, Cheryl. I don't
scrutinize how others hold flatware. I'd probably notice if they
appeared to be acting like immature children (or monkeys). I have not
run into that in any restaurant that I can recall.

Jill

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
.com...
> On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:
>
>> I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
>> claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
>> limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
>> because it's impossible to miss.
>
> The other option is that we just don't care, or don't scrutinize other
> people in a restaurant.

Now that she has mentioned it, I will look around for it. One place where
we dine caters to seniors. I have seen seniors do this but the ones I have
seen have had extreme difficulty eating. My MIL now has to do this with a
spoon but I know that she didn't do it before she became extremely disabled.
So I assume when I see another senior doing this, they have some sort of
medical issue that makes it difficult to hold the utensil otherwise. My dad
doesn't normally do this but on that one really bad day when I had to dial
911, he was attempting to eat a burrito with a spoon and holding the spoon
like that. That was part of the reason that made me dial 911. I could see
that things were just not normal and he was having extreme difficult with
everything. Turns out he had another stroke.

But other than people who clearly have problems, I have not seen an adult do
this. Not even the guy I worked with who was purportedly a pig when he ate
because he slurped his soup.

I don't even think that Angela ate like that when she was little. In fact
as a toddler, she demanded chopsticks because her best friend's mom was Thai
and she wanted to eat like she did. So I bought her the chopsticks and she
used them correctly. But she has forgotten now and can't use them. I did
comment to her after seeing that annoying Cheerios commercial with the fat
toddler who puts the cereal in her fist and crams it blindly at her mouth
that she never did that either! The first time I gave her Cheerios, she
used her thumb and pointer and picked each piece up to eat it. My nephew
was the same way. Both were very delicate eaters. Both hated to get food
on their hands. Angela would hold up her hands and say, "Ugh! Gooey
hands!" if she got anything on them. I kept the little emesis basin from my
hospital stay when I had her. I would fill it with warm soapy water for her
to wash her hands in, and then put fresh water in for her to rinse. That
was when she was too young to stand up on her own or reach the sink.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/26/2013 9:53 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> I got married at age 35 and was given a nice set of flatware as a wedding
>> gift. So I got rid of my old flatware, except for the iced tea spoons
>> because they weren't in the new set. Again, nothing wrong with the old
>> flatware except that the pieces didn't match.
>>
> Awwww! Some of us didn't think ahead!
>
>> Then one day after we moved here, forks started to disappear. I did find
>> one, one day in a box of cereal. That was a baffler. I had complained
>> about the missing forks.
>
> Oh this is priceless. Your forks started disappearing. Who did you
> complain to? The clueless person eating dry cereal out of a box with a
> *fork*? Or the clueless person who threw away the box of cereal without
> noticing there was a fork in it? Or even a spoon, for that matter.

I asked the others living in the house and nobody fessed up to it. I did
once also find a fork in the trash.
>
>> My parents overheard and bought me a cheap set of
>> forks. Blech. Again they are lightweight. I hate them. Should
>> probably
>> toss them. For sure I will never use them.
>
> Toss them? Just because you don't like them?

Yes. Do you keep things that you don't like?
>
> You [alledgedly] donate to the food bank all the time. Yet you'd throw
> away forks you don't like rather than donate them to a charity that runs a
> thrift shop? GoodWill or something? Just give them a call, they'll tell
> you. Many places will also pick up.

The term "toss them" does not necessarily mean to toss them into the trash.
We always have a giveaway box here and if something is usable and Value
Village will take it, we toss things in there. They will not take pet stuff
though. We took several partial van loads there recently. And over the
past couple of summers have taken countless full van loads to them. They
also pick up at our house. And that's the method we used to use when we had
just a box or two of stuff. But now their main drop off is conveniently on
the way to my dad's place so I generally just drop off stuff on the way if I
have it.

You might ask why I have so much stuff to get rid of. Well for one thing,
we get a lot of gifts that we don't want and will never use. Like bedding
that is the wrong color or size. Or yet another blanket that we do not
need. I actually kept a new blanket around for about 6 years because it was
a nice quality one. But none of my old blankets wore out and I really need
my closet space. So I tossed it too! In the box destined for Value
Village. Thankfully the local people now mainly give us money or gift
cards. But not everyone does that.
>
> I'm sure there are a ton of people who wouldn't give a crap if those forks
> are "lightweight". It makes more sense to donate them than to toss them
> in the trash. Face it, people who don't have a lot of money aren't
> looking for sets of matching flatware.

Did I say "toss them in the trash"? No. I did not.

I have also told Angela to toss things like vegetable scraps when she is
helping me in the kitchen. I might tell her to toss an empty bottle. She
knows which bin to put those things in and neither bin is the trash.

On Mon, 27 May 2013 19:05:32 -0400, Cheryl >
wrote:

> On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:
>
> > I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
> > claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
> > limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
> > because it's impossible to miss.
>
> The other option is that we just don't care, or don't scrutinize other
> people in a restaurant.

Like I said, it's hard to miss and you don't need to be "scrutinizing"
anyone. All you need to do is take your eyes off your plate.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" > wrote in message
news
> On Mon, 27 May 2013 19:05:32 -0400, Cheryl >
> wrote:
>
>> On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:
>>
>> > I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
>> > claim they never see it. I guess their dining out experience is
>> > limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
>> > because it's impossible to miss.
>>
>> The other option is that we just don't care, or don't scrutinize other
>> people in a restaurant.
>
> Like I said, it's hard to miss and you don't need to be "scrutinizing"
> anyone. All you need to do is take your eyes off your plate.

Have not seen that in my almost 54 years except as I said for people who
have problems. But I will make a point to look for it now and I will report
if I see it.

"barbie gee" > wrote in message
hcrg.pbz...

> kids aren't learning how to hold a pen or pencil anymore, like we were
> back in the old days, either.

They are taught differently than I was.
>
> there was even a piece recently on how some grammar schools are
> considering no longer teaching cursive writing.

My daughter was required to learn how to write it but did not have to use
it. And now? She is only required to know how to sign her name. For that
you do need it. But she gets confused as to reading or writing it because
it is no longer used in schools. In fact, once I hit high school, I quit
using it. My dad taught me that if you write in all caps, people can almost
always read what you write. So I tend to do that.

On 5/28/2013 1:22 AM, Julie Bove wrote:

> My daughter was required to learn how to write it but did not have to use
> it. And now? She is only required to know how to sign her name. For that
> you do need it. But she gets confused as to reading or writing it because
> it is no longer used in schools. In fact, once I hit high school, I quit
> using it. My dad taught me that if you write in all caps, people can almost
> always read what you write. So I tend to do that.

We did a lot of cursive writing when I was in high school, and printing
would have taken a lot more time, this is why we learned cursive in the
first place. Having to read someone's printing in all caps, can be
annoying, but I guess that is the teacher's problem.

Becca

On Tue, 28 May 2013 09:38:29 -0500, Ema Nymton >
wrote:

> Having to read someone's printing in all caps, can be annoying

Ditto. At least learn how to incorporate lower case letters! My
father always printed because he said his cursive was atrocious. His
printing was a stylized "lettering", probably because he took
lettering in college as part of his advertising focus in business.
There were no computers to do it for you back in those days.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On May 27, 9:12*pm, barbie gee > wrote:
> On Mon, 27 May 2013, sf wrote:
> > On Mon, 27 May 2013 19:05:32 -0400, Cheryl >
> > wrote:
>
> >> On 5/26/2013 9:28 AM, sf wrote:
>
> >>> I've been saying that for years but this ng is filled with people who
> >>> claim they never see it. *I guess their dining out experience is
> >>> limited to fast food or that's how they hold their utensils too,
> >>> because it's impossible to miss.
>
> >> The other option is that we just don't care, or don't scrutinize other
> >> people in a restaurant.
>
> > Like I said, it's hard to miss and you don't need to be "scrutinizing"
> > anyone. *All you need to do is take your eyes off your plate.
>
> kids aren't learning how to hold a pen or pencil anymore, like we were
> back in the old days, either.
>
> there was even a piece recently on how some grammar schools are
> considering no longer teaching cursive writing.

I complained to one of my son's teachers about his horrible
handwriting, and was told they don't really teach penmanship anymore-
it's all about keyboard skills now.

On 5/27/2013 8:56 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 5/26/2013 9:53 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>> I got married at age 35 and was given a nice set of flatware as a wedding
>>> gift. So I got rid of my old flatware, except for the iced tea spoons
>>> because they weren't in the new set. Again, nothing wrong with the old
>>> flatware except that the pieces didn't match.
>>>
>> Awwww! Some of us didn't think ahead!
>>
>>> Then one day after we moved here, forks started to disappear. I did find
>>> one, one day in a box of cereal. That was a baffler. I had complained
>>> about the missing forks.
>>
>> Oh this is priceless. Your forks started disappearing. Who did you
>> complain to? The clueless person eating dry cereal out of a box with a
>> *fork*? Or the clueless person who threw away the box of cereal without
>> noticing there was a fork in it? Or even a spoon, for that matter.
>
> I asked the others living in the house and nobody fessed up to it. I did
> once also find a fork in the trash.
>>
>>> My parents overheard and bought me a cheap set of
>>> forks. Blech. Again they are lightweight. I hate them. Should
>>> probably
>>> toss them. For sure I will never use them.
>>
>> Toss them? Just because you don't like them?
>
> Yes. Do you keep things that you don't like?
>>
No, but that's because I don't have anything I really don't like. I did
sell my grandmothers china because I didn't like it.

>> You [alledgedly] donate to the food bank all the time. Yet you'd throw
>> away forks you don't like rather than donate them to a charity that runs a
>> thrift shop? GoodWill or something? Just give them a call, they'll tell
>> you. Many places will also pick up.
>
> The term "toss them" does not necessarily mean to toss them into the trash.

Well, "toss" means to throw away or discard in my vernacular. Not "toss
it in the donation box". Perhaps I'm being too literal.

> You might ask why I have so much stuff to get rid of.
(snip)

I don't really care.

Jill