3 ms·

In the context of this article I'm not sure if it has so much to do with repair and retain as opposed to simply not wanting to own a bunch of stuff that will ta

In the context of this article I'm not sure if it has so much to do with repair and retain as opposed to simply not wanting to own a bunch of stuff that will take up space and never get used. Fine china, silverware, crystal, etc.

gedy 9y ago
> Fine china, silverware, crystal, etc. But note that in particular is a cultural thing where people are cooking at home less, smaller families, less formality, etc.
- nodamage 9y ago
  Less formality, yes. You don't need $60 plates to host a dinner party when a $2 plate will do just fine. Plus, you don't need to worry about accidentally breaking one.
t0mbstone 9y ago
I've always been annoyed by "fine China". If something is so fragile that it can't be used, then it is worthless to me. On the flip side, it's kind of interesting that products made in china are now synonymous with "cheap crap", while at one time we held finely made, fragile cups from China on display in our homes.
- barrkel 9y ago
  Fine china of the generation we're talking about here is typically made in Europe - the fine bone china my grandmother owns was made in England. China in this context refers to porcelain, using techniques learned from China.
- kaybe 9y ago
  Fine china is fun. There is an endless and very cheap supply of these things on the fleamarket, so one can use them with abandon. If they break, just get more.
  - danieltillett 9y ago
    This is my opinion too. You can eat off great china for next to nothing. Low-end auction houses are also great places to pick up whole sets on the cheap. At the very worst these are a lot more interesting than plain white junk.
bhaak 9y ago
When the grandmother of $SO moved into an assisted living facility, we got pick some of her stuff, too. We only took the silver cutlery and use it as every day. There is just no need and space to waste for stuff that is kept out of usage, especially with something like silver cutlery which doesn't degrade by usage and even stays shiny if you use it constantly.
virusduck 9y ago
I agree. I'm in this demographic, and it drives me crazy to have stuff sitting around that's not being used. My wife and I don't typically decorate with this kind of stuff either. We were /strongly/ encouraged to put things like crystal on our wedding registry. It sits in a cabinet unused. On the other hand, we also registered for earthenware type dishes, and we use the hell out of those. They are nice looking, durable, and extremely useful. Not "unitaskers" So glad we don't have fine china on top of that. To me it seems more wasteful to have junk taking up room in your living space. Living with less is desirable.

gedy 9y ago

> Fine china, silverware, crystal, etc. But note that in particular is a cultural thing where people are cooking at home less, smaller families, less formality, etc.

nodamage 9y ago
Less formality, yes. You don't need $60 plates to host a dinner party when a $2 plate will do just fine. Plus, you don't need to worry about accidentally breaking one.

t0mbstone 9y ago

I've always been annoyed by "fine China". If something is so fragile that it can't be used, then it is worthless to me. On the flip side, it's kind of interesting that products made in china are now synonymous with "cheap crap", while at one time we held finely made, fragile cups from China on display in our homes.

barrkel 9y ago
Fine china of the generation we're talking about here is typically made in Europe - the fine bone china my grandmother owns was made in England. China in this context refers to porcelain, using techniques learned from China.
kaybe 9y ago
Fine china is fun. There is an endless and very cheap supply of these things on the fleamarket, so one can use them with abandon. If they break, just get more.
- danieltillett 9y ago
  This is my opinion too. You can eat off great china for next to nothing. Low-end auction houses are also great places to pick up whole sets on the cheap. At the very worst these are a lot more interesting than plain white junk.

bhaak 9y ago

When the grandmother of $SO moved into an assisted living facility, we got pick some of her stuff, too. We only took the silver cutlery and use it as every day. There is just no need and space to waste for stuff that is kept out of usage, especially with something like silver cutlery which doesn't degrade by usage and even stays shiny if you use it constantly.

virusduck 9y ago

I agree. I'm in this demographic, and it drives me crazy to have stuff sitting around that's not being used. My wife and I don't typically decorate with this kind of stuff either. We were /strongly/ encouraged to put things like crystal on our wedding registry. It sits in a cabinet unused. On the other hand, we also registered for earthenware type dishes, and we use the hell out of those. They are nice looking, durable, and extremely useful. Not "unitaskers" So glad we don't have fine china on top of that. To me it seems more wasteful to have junk taking up room in your living space. Living with less is desirable.