Why?

Spoons are kinda in the sweet spot of things to collect when travelling. Spoons are obscure enough to feel personal, but yet common enough that we can usually find one if we try hard enough. They're also not as predictable as fridge magnets, not as fragile (or impractical) as shot glasses or plates. 

As someone who doesn't typically spend much on souvenirs, the spoon becomes a mission, something to keep an eye out for while wandering the streets of an unfamiliar destination. And yes, I have gotten weird looks from shopkeepers when I ask them if they have spoons.

They're also low-footprint, and they don't take up much space in the luggage. I know of people who collect plates, mugs, or starbucks cups, and I admire the commitment, but I like that my entire collection can still fit into a single drawer (for now). 

A spoon is also an oddly intimate everyday object. It's meant to be held, used, and worn smooth over time. Even when they're decorative ones, they carry that sense of domestic life reminiscant of kitchens and cafes. Each one marks a place I've been, but in a way that feels lived in. 

Spoons are easy to overlook. They're small and innocuous, until we line them all up and realise that I've accidentally built a map of my life, one trip at a time. 

The Unmade Podcast also has their own spoon collection. 

There are no real rules for spoon collection, except that they shouldn't be stolen from restaurants or cafes. That's not the spirit of Spoons of the World. They must be purchased from a store (be it souvenir store or flea market), and should be meant as a souvenir collectable, as opposed to actual cutlery intended to be used. 

The spoon should ideally showcase the country or city that it's from, although we can make an exception for the occasional spoon that comes without any inscription or indication of where they're from. 

I've assigned each spoon a serial number and unique name to facilitate the cataloguing process. It's also worth mentioning that it's actually really difficult to photograph spoons (with glossy metallic surfaces) and this has actually influenced my decision to choose matte finished spoons if they're available.