Do you own Square Plates?

[*Bob*]

Are you the sort of person who owns square plates?

Have you ever paused to consider what owning square plates says about you?

Please, give it some thought. Before it's too late.

[womanofdulwich]

I thought it was only poncey restaurants that had them?

[Asset]

Surely nobody's going to admit to it

[kpc]

Have you ever tried spinning square plates?

[PeckhamRose]

I'd own square plates if - when pouring gravy - sorry, jus on to my plate - it went into the shape of a square. But physics don't work like that.

The only advantage is storage space.

[Marmora Man]

In the 19th century and before the Royal Navy served all meals on square plates - mostly with raised edges known as "fiddles", that stopped food falling off the plate in rough weather.

It is said that the phrase "a square meal" comes from the RN and that the term "fiddling" comes from the naval "crime" of overloading a plate to the extent that the food touched the fiddle - a sailor was alleged to have fiddled his colleagues out of their fair share of the food on offer. Fiddles still exist - tho' are simply fitted to the table now to stop round plates rolling around the table in rough weather.

No square plates in this household, tho' we do have a rectangular"ish" thing for serving long & thin dishes - swiss rolls, rolled joints of meat etc.

[Lawrence]

I have a set. When using a dish washer you always have a maximum diameter of plate that will fit. Square plates rule as you get more eating surface area for the same plate width.

Not sure what that says about me, I have some slates and shapely oak boards too. Nothing for Swiss roll though, must keep up.

[KD]

One finds ones square plates most suitable for the servants to carry, and I am told by staff below stairs, much easier to wash too.

[womanofdulwich]

Marmora man is a find- I do hope there is a quiz night where I can use this info!!( whilst I can remember it).

[legalbeagle]

I have lots of round plates, and a few square ones. And actually someone once bought me a rectangular one but I've never used it cos I can't work out what it's for.

What does that mean, *Bob*?

[bonniebird]

I have round ones and square ones, a new set, 12 of each, they are fab!

[Brendan]

No squares 'round chateau Brendan. Ours are hip to the plate.

[reetpetite]

Round plates for round tables , square plates for square tables...simples.

[woofmarkthedog]

Ohhh yeah..

You can't have a better shape for toast

http://endingb.net/images/toast.png

IMHO

(great thread *Bob* though it was going to be MY next subject )

* reads garden catalogue *

"Shears vs Electric trimmers, now nobody has done that yet"

W**F

[*Bob*]

Lawrence Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I have a set. When using a dish washer you always

> have a maximum diameter of plate that will fit.

> Square plates rule as you get more eating surface

> area for the same plate width.

I hear you.. I mean, I don't look great in dungarees but the pocket sure comes-in handy.

[TillieTrotter]

I do!!

[katie1997]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I hear you.. I mean, I don't look great in

> dungarees but the pocket sure comes-in handy.

Bang on trend. Clogs are 'in' too. (well, they were last week..)

oh and no, I don't have square plates but I have pondered the question.....is it on a par with having that ghastly hexagonal glassware from the 80s? :O

Disclaimer: I'm sure YOUR square plates are great. Especially if they're made of beautiful welsh slate. Now thinking my boring old round plates are a bit, you know, boring.

[firstchoicegary]

is a plate not a plate? i dont have a table anyway! lol

[Lawrence]

You need them more than anyone as the belly to plate rim interface is superior with the square models. Ideal for TV dinner gourmets or gourmands(see cm2)

[Moos]

I'm still waiting to hear what it does say about people. I don't know anyone with square plates - what does that say about me?

All I've managed to glean so far is that they somehow can be likened to dungarees.

Confused Of Peckham

[*Bob*]

You think you don't know anyone with square plates. You assume. You hope.

But then.. one weekend, round at Thingy and Wotsits. A glass of chilled white. Conversation, laughter and easy tunes. And then, just when you least expect it.. there they are. Square Plates.

[5imon]

round plates:

consistent margin between foodstuff and plate-edge (assuming foodstuff placed dead-centre). consistency, symmetry, harmony and happiness results.

square plates:

circumferential food-margin inconsistent, potential cuff soilage, possible spillage, annoyance, anger, loss of friends and social status.

[Moos]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> You think you don't know anyone with square

> plates. You assume. You hope.

>

> But then.. one weekend, round at Thingy and

> Wotsits. A glass of chilled white. Conversation,

> laughter and easy tunes. And then, just when you

> least expect it.. there they are. Square Plates.

But Bobski, what will I be able to discern as a result? How outraged must I be? Is it just a little sniff and a subtle rearrangement of my disordered silver? Or do I have to fix them with a basilisk stare and sweep from the house, never to return?

We must know these things.

[charliecharlie]

I have to own up...

I have one square plate but it for serving stuff on not eating off....

am I saved from shame????? http://comedyfunhouse.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/shame.jpg

[*Bob*]

Well I just had to be honest with them, Moos.

We've known each other for a long time - and we've been through a lot together. The good times.. and the bad. The highs and the lows. But now we know you've got square plates, it's time we called it a day.