posted 06-07-2010 09:43 AM            

Some back ground:

All those many years ago when, June & I starting learning about silver .....and now looking back, I realize our interest in silver had a major affect on our lifestyle. As we learned to appreciate the silver metal crafts, arts and history it changed and influenced so many things. For example: what we eat, what use (flatware, glassware, china) to have a meal, our table etiquette, what we use to prepare a meal, our furnishings, our circle of friends, antique braces for my pants, mutual interests, etc., etc.

Without our realizing, discovering silver had an major lifestyle affect on so many areas of our lives, both individually and together.

What lead to this forum started in the Moderators� Forum.

quote:

---

Since today there is little pattern sterling made, silverplate is diminishing all being replaced by stainless steel flatware, I feel we might get a new younger membership if we added some Lifestyle forums.

How to organize the following into lifestyles forums I am still pondering. Some of the lifestyle topics:

* Stainless Steel Flatware
* Entertaining at home
* Graceful formal table settings (demystify the confusing tangle of platters, spoons, forks, knives, plates and glasses that gives formal dining preparation such a formidable reputation.)
* table etiquette
* Cutlery basics
* service plates
* linens
* Folding Lines
* Glassware
* China
* floral arrangements
* Business dining
* Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Supper,
* Afternoon Tea
* Cooking and cleaning is easy
* Simple menus for elegant entertaining
* Kitchen simple recipes & elegant entertaining
* etiquette and customs around the world.
* The history/evolution of table etiquette.
* etc etc.

When we are out, it is amazing how uncomfortable many persons are about table etiquette. The economy has more people eating at home but they are not inclined to entertain at home. Why? Our casual research says most don�t realize how simple, fun and economical entertaining at home can be.

We are thinking by helping a newer audience to get comfortable and relaxed about the above, no matter whether stainless, SP, Silver, etc, it should help bring a newer audience around to our way of thinking.

Moderators, your ideas, input, concerns, would be nice to hear.

---

posted 06-07-2010 12:51 PM            

As the antique show world changed, and eventually collapsed, I began to get out more. When I first went to Bed Bath and Beyond, I was astonished. There were hundreds of quality tabletop items at reasonable prices. And people were buying them. The designs were interesting. This startled me out of the idea that dining was a thing of the past.

posted 06-07-2010 01:01 PM            

For example, tabletop is the term of art used to refer to everything that goes on a dining table. Tabletop is divided into three categories: tableware, serveware and cookware.

Tableware refers to what we would call place settings. And it includes flatware, dishes, glasses and linens.

Serveware refers to what we would call serving pieces. And it spans all the mediums that can be found.

Cookware is the interesting one as it seeks to make pots and pans suitable for a dining table. It appears now to be the practice to include foods in the dish they are baked in.

posted 06-08-2010 12:22 AM            

I appreciate the background from Scott and Dale (and it might have been a good idea to include that early on in introducing these forums). That doesn't change my reaction to the word "lifestyles", which I find tacky, impersonal, commercial, and off-putting. It isn't a word that a community of enthusiasts and collectors use with each other; it's an invented word that companies use to do marketing. I don't want to feel when I come to this forum that I am being marketed to, or that I am talking with people who have primarily a marketing mindset.

Maybe my reaction is unusual; I'd be interested in hearing what other members think. Whether I'm alone or not, it won't change my interest in the forum as a whole.

posted 06-11-2010 03:55 PM            

My Tabletop Life Forum

PS. Lurkers please post your suggestions...its easier on me. Thanks

posted 06-15-2010 03:14 PM            

My suggestions for the forum name: Tabletop Items or Table Setting.