Whats the best way to learn how to use chopsticks.... I feel embarrassed to use them in public?
What's the best way for me to learn so I can eat with some grace at the table?
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M$7 Answers
First, just make sure you hold the sticks correctly, and click them together, without anything in between.
Then, put some small items on a plate, and try to pick them up with the sticks, move them, and drop them again. Start with regular sized objects, preferably with a rough coating.
Then, go smaller and smaller, and end up with unboiled grains of rice. Once you're comfortably able to pick up those, you've passed.
If you find it tough to hold your sticks, tie the backs together with a small piece of tape, like this:
And you are on your way to having a great dinner!
To be sure you don't embarrass yourself when eating with Chinese friends, I hereby also copy some etiquette rules:
---quote--
Some major don'ts of chopstick use:
* Don't use your chopsticks to point at somebody or to enhance communication.
* Don't use your chopsticks to fish around in the soup bowl for food.
* Don't use your chopsticks to move bowls or plates closer.
* Don't stick your chopsticks and leave them standing straight up in the rice bowl.
* Don't lick your chopsticks.
* Don't stab food to eat 'shish-kabob' style
---unquote--
source
Personal experience and www.geocities.com/chinatownshop/chopsticks.html
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M$
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-use-chopsticks
Here is a video from the page:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y9HO-c0dxU
If all else fails, wander into your local kitchen supply store and ask for a set of learning or childrens chopsticks. These chopsticks will be made out of plastic and connected at the top. They'll help you get the feel for eating with sticks and take the focus away from holding them.
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M$
Important things to note: sushi is finger food, so don't use your chopsticks on sushi. Don't put your chopsticks sticking straight up in your food, as this is a death symbol for mourning, and it's considered rude at a chef's table. Don't put your unclean chopsticks back on your plate. When eating 'western' foods, like the salad often served before a meal, it's okay to use a western fork.
When eating rice from a bowl, or a small plate, it is acceptable to lift the bowl or plate to your mouth and use the chopsticks more as a shovel than as a utensil like a fork or a spoon. The same goes for noodles. We use plates here, but it's not unusual in the Asian countries for food to be served in small bowls, and they pick up the bowls and put them close to their mouths and 'shovel' instead of using chopsticks like we try to use them, like they are forks.
Watch the videos here, and practice, practice, practice. You can probably get a set for free from any hibachi grills, and take them home and play with them. Once you finally get the hang of it, you'll wonder why you ever thought it was hard!
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M$
I would recommend buying a pair to take home, and then just getting food from the plate to your mouth until you are comfortable. Over-thinking it will just throw you off. Try it, it worked for me!
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$I also enjoyed the site : http://allchopsticks.info which has alot of information on chopstick use and the cultural side. My favorite utensils are chopsticks!
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M$
www.youtube.com
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M$
