Chopsticks

Chopsticks are small sticks used in pairs as eating tool in Eastern Asian and some parts of Southeast Asian countries. They are used to pick up pieces of food. Since it is essential to use chopsticks in those countries, parents strictly teach their children how to use them properly. 

It takes practice to use chopsticks well. I could not use chopsticks until I was six years old and had used a fork until that age. When you learn how to use chopsticks, it is important to learn the right way because it is hard to fix once you are use to a certain way. Using chopsticks seems difficult at first, but after awhile, you will feel comfortable with them. 

Here are steps of holding and moving them.

1. Hold one chopstick between your thumb and forth(ring) finger. 

2. Place the other chopstick between your thumb and index finger. 

3. Use thumb, index finger, and third finger to move top chopstick.

Easy, right? When you use chopsticks, the bottom one barely moves, instead, the top one goes up and down to grab food. It will be helpful to look up some pictures on the Internet or ask Asians around you - they are kind.

There are different kind of chopsticks. Usually, they are made of bamboo, plastic, or metal. Do not reuse wood chopsticks from restaurant, they are made to be used only once. But when you buy good chopsticks, you can wash them and use them again. 

Knowing proper etiquette is as important as using chopsticks properly. I will introduce some Korean chopstick etiquette. 

1. It is good to held chopsticks in the right hand, even by left-handed people because some elders think it is rude to use them with left hand. Also, left-handed chopstick users can elbow right-handed user when they seat close, which is improper. 

2. Chopsticks are not used to make noise or to draw attention. It is strongly improper to playing with them. They are not used to move plates. 

3. They are not used to impale food, except when someone tears large food. 

4. It is rude to pick up a dish or a bowl. If you are eating food that is hard to pick up with chopsticks, then you can use spoon. This is only for Korea; Chinese and Japanese do not use spoon, therefore, it is okay to pick up bowl in those countries. 

Again, it is strongly important to have right manners in Asian countries. There are thousands of table manners, but basically it is about respecting others, especially elders. If you have thoughtful consideration towards others, then it should not be problem. 

Many ask me how to eat rice with chopsticks. Asian rice is different than those in America or Mexican rice. Our rice is little more sticky, so we can pick bunch of them at once. 

By: Yoha Lee