18/10

18/10. That's what they say you should look for when you're in the market for new flatware. The 18 refers to the percentage of chromium and the 10 refers to the amount of nickel in the metal, although they say whether 5 or 10, it's pretty much the same. Just avoid 18/0; zero would be like committing a crime. I had never bought flatware before. When I really needed utensils for my first apartment, a friend gave me her old set (18/10, of course), and although very much appreciated and fully functional, I found it too modern-looking for my taste. When yet another of the few remaining already half-mangled teaspoons from this very set found its way into the garbage disposal last week, I had had enough. I was stressed to the max at work and hearing the clatter of the spoon against the metal teeth of the disposal made me want to do something drastic - like break a dish Greek wedding style, or slap someone, or myself, for that matter. Instead, I quickly shifted focus and itched for some form of instant gratification. I went straight to the computer - soapy hands and all - and turned to retail therapy.

Everything I really wanted cost anywhere between $100 and $250 for a set of 8 or 12. But I was in crisis mode and needed to buy something. I compromised at SmartBargains and settled for functional ones for $60. I liked (not loved) the way the set appeared in the picture enough: and thus I idiotically settled even though I was skeptical of the set's "satin finish." BIG mistake. I should have known better than to have ordered something so high on my wish list on-line without ever having seen them myself, especially in a needy state like that. New flatware was on my grand list of "items to buy" for four years. So instead of getting what I really wanted, I'm stuck using these guys (see above right) for the next ten years.