Home & household

Table in the cup

A table is gathering and agreement — the place where things are said out loud. If you see it set, a conversation follows in which something gets settled, perhaps even signed. An empty table isn't a bad sign: it's waiting for you to decide who sits at it. Above the rim of the cup, the invitation comes from outside, from someone else's home.

Position changes the tone: nearer the rim speaks of what is close, nearer the bottom of what is further off; a clearer shape speaks louder than a faint one.