How to use Chopsticks
There are actually an amazing number of different
styles correct ways to use the chopsticks. Here are the 2 basic ideas,
which lead to other variations:
The immobile and mobile pair method:
1)
Hold the first stick stationary between the base of the thumb and
the middle finger. (The thick end is held, not the thin end).
2)
Hold the other stick in with the top of your thumb and
the tip of the index finger. Even up the pairs.
3)
Move the 2nd stick while holding
the the 1st chopstick
stationary.
4)
Using the other stick as a pincher,
and pick up your food in this way.
Variation in the immobile pair:
1)
Hold the first stick stationary between the base of the thumb and
the middle finger, but with the tip of the index finger also touching the
chopstick. So the 1st stick is sandwiched in the middle of
the index and middle finger.
2)
The other stick is held between the thumb and index
finger.
3)
The two are moved somewhat together, in more of a pincher movement.
Eating rice this way is actually not too
difficult. For starters, most Asian rice is "sticky" so it is easier to
grab clumps of it. Also, use the pair as a sort of
scoop to gather up larger clumps of rice from your bowl.
Chopstick Usage
Do this -
When not in use, lay them down in
front of you with the tip to left.
In Japan, before you start eating Say "ita-daki-masu."
It means basically "thank you, I am going to eat."
When you finish eating say "go-chi-so sama-deshita."
This means "thanks for the food, it was delicious." Japanese say both these
things so often that they almost don't think of the actual meaning.
Slurping soup is not considered rude in Japan.
If there are bowls of common food, you may use the
thick end of the set to get food from the main food container to
your own bowl.
But not this -
Placing your chopsticks in the rice bowl standing up is
taboo - reserved for the departed after a death, in memory of the departed
loved one.
Avoid transferring food from one chopstick set to
another, which is another custom involved with a recent death.
Don't spear or stick food. Not
good manners.
Don't point with these utensils to something or somebody. Same as pointing
a knife or fork at a guest.
Don't move or wave your chopsticks around in the air or
above the food, same as a fork and knife.
General etiquette
Try to avoid clanking or scraping on your mouth and teeth. Likewise
it's considered rude to suck on the ends of the sticks, even if you love
the food.
When serving yourself food, always use shared serving chopsticks or spoons
if available as opposed to digging in with your own chopsticks. This helps
avoid the spread of disease as well. This rule is sometimes not observed in
China however, and so those unacquainted with Chinese customs may be
surprised.
For hygiene's sake, when obtaining food from the
serving dish, the chopsticks are inverted the other ends to pick up the
food.
After you have picked up an item, it is yours. You should not put it back in
the dish. Therefore try to decide what piece you really want to eat before
grabbing it with your chopsticks.
Sometimes you may want to just pick a choice piece of food for your guest
and serve it to them. Be careful though that they are not on a special diet,
and be sure they will actually like the food before serving it with a shared
chopstick or utensil. As mentioned before, never stick the set into a
bowl of rice pointing up, as this is done to remember the recently departed
dead in families morning the loss of a member.As expected, chopsticks are not immune from the
realm of superstition. If you are given a pair of chopsticks with uneven
lengths, it may indicate you are about to miss your boat or airplane. Dropping a pair of chopsticks is like stepping on a
crack in the sidewalk. Not a good idea. Amazingly, with all the of the do's and don'ts about
chopsticks, you ARE allowed to place them on the table crossed!
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