Talk me out of these (496 views)

OK. Melamine argument noted and I thank you both for alerting me to the possibility of issues with it. Will have to do more research on the subject before deciding whether or not this is something I need to take more seriously, whether purchasing these bowls or not. (I've been using melamine mixing bowls for over 30 years and have been quite fond of them.)

Any other thoughts?

I don't understand this. Why would it matter where she lives?

Just to give you a my insight on the living in Earthquake Country thing, though I've experienced a couple of 6.5-6.7 magnitude quakes in my lifetime, there are very few things I do with earthquakes in mind. I won't hang pots and pans nor will I use a magnetic knife rack, but that's a bodily safety thing. I also won't hang anything heavy over the head of a bed and I always make sure the closet doors are closed when I go to bed. (I had stuff fly out of the closet back in 1971) But as for the possibility of breakage, it's a roll of the dice. Do you enjoy something which you may or may not lose some time in the future, or do you play it safe? As I'm writing this, I guess I'm answering a question I've always had about the folks who live in Malibu, which is subject to a perpetual cycle: when it's rainy, they have mud slides; when it's dry, they have wildfires. With that kind of fun, I've always wondered why they choose to live there. But I guess those in-between times are worth it.

I had melamine bowls that we liked and used for years, but they do scratch and deteriorate in quality and you can't use them in the microwave -- even to soften or melt butter. When I bought them, I thought o them as outdoor serving bowls too, but when I started looking at new bowls, I went for ceramic. In fact, I went in deep -- bought a set of Mason Cash bowls I fell for after I bought a set of multi-colored bowls on sale at Sur la Table. It's harder to lift them and get them unstacked off the shelf where I have them, but I'm thinking about reorganizing some of the kitchen and putting them in a drawer. I also have a set of Mason Cash bowls waiting to be a gift. I might have gotten carried away, but it might have been needing to get rid of those scratched up plastic bowls with the rings falling out of the bottoms. I can't afford to risk that happening again.

I wouldn't be swayed by the special tops -- my Microplane graters it across the top of any of my bowls and are easy to put in the DW. I don't see how I would use the bowl with the hole in the top. Your use and needs might be different.

And as for natural disasters, I think we learn to deal with whatever we are used to.  I grew up with hurricanes and know I can watch and prepare.  DH grew up with earthquakes and knows the big ones are few and far between ad most folks come out with some broken dishes and tumbled books.  In 7 1/2 years in CA, I would have missed the only earthquake I can remember - I may orr ay not have been awake when DH said, "Hear that?" "huh?" "Hear that?  The blinds are shaking.  That's your first earthquake."  The cats were a little spooked, but we all went back to sleep.