Do you know how to use chopsticks?

[Anonymous]

I learned when I lived in Japan (learned all my Asian table manners there originally). I got pretty good at it. (Sidebar: I always found it fun when someone in Japan exclaimed "Oh, you can use chopsticks! You are so good at it!" to respond "Oh, you can use a fork! You are so good at it!" )

Then I married DH (Vietnamese) and now I use them about half of the time (when we have Asian food).

The trick is that you lock one chopstick in the crook of your hand (where thumb meets hand) and hold the other like a pencil, and you ONLY MOVE THE ONE YOU HOLD LIKE A PENCIL!

Also, Asians don't use chopsticks for things that they don't work well on (fried rice, soup, curry, etc). They either use spoons or small bowls (meant to be lifted to the lips) for those things. TMYK!

[Anonymous]

Asian here. I used chopsticks for the first time in my 20s. Still more comfortable using silverware. Now in my 40s just pretending I am Filipino

[Anonymous]

I learned to use chopsticks as a child. My grandmother grew up in Asia, and she taught us as we frequently had Asian food at her house.

My husband is Asian, and he never, ever uses chopsticks. He always asks for a fork when we go to Asian restaurants. Waitresses often find this hilarious.

The kids can all use chopsticks. I just showed them what to do and they figured it out themselves. I did make sure to show them the correct way, even though I'm lazy and cross my chopsticks.

[Anonymous]

Learned in China, this summer! I am 44. Still prefer Westernized utensils. I was there for 1 month, and when I was really hungry, I asked for a knife, fork, spoon!

[Anonymous]

Maybe stupid question: so if you have a big piece of something, you don't cut it in any way? (like a big piece of meat you'd normally cut) You just pick it up with the chopsticks and move it towards your mouth, and bit off pieces of it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe stupid question: so if you have a big piece of something, you don't cut it in any way? (like a big piece of meat you'd normally cut) You just pick it up with the chopsticks and move it towards your mouth, and bit off pieces of it?

In most Asian cuisine, meat is served in bite-sized pieces., or cut up at the table right before serving (think Korean barbeque).

If something is served whole (e.g., in Japan, it's common to be served a whole roasted fish), you use your chopsticks to break it into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This is relatively advanced and it's harder to do unless you're great with chopsticks.

If you're at home, then yeah, you just pick up the huge piece and bite off of it (or at least that's what DH and the in-laws do!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I can use chopsticks but had a hard time in Korea with the metal ones. I prefer wood.

I like the metal (Korean) chopsticks more than the wooden ones. Though I did get a nice set at Ikea that have bumps on them to hold the food better.

I didn't really use chopsticks until I was nearly 30 and living with my Korean inlaws. They kept giving me a fork and I was determined not to use it. Now I have Korean people telling me that I use chopsticks really well for a foreigner.

[Anonymous]

Wow, those Tommy the Train chopsticks are cool... we have a chopstick store in Sacramento, and we'd love to carry that product... it's great how it shows you exactly where to put your fingers! Anyway, we have a good supply of other helpful and fun utensils for the westerner, like "Spork Chops," "Drumstick Chopsticks," and "Star Wars Lightsaber Chopsticks." Check us out at TheChopstickStore.Com and if you have any leads on where to get these train-ing chopsticks, please let us know via email! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

http://www.thechopstickstore.com

[Anonymous]

Hi Everybody! It's not exactly a natural thing if you didn't grow up with it, but it is still fun once you get the hang of it, and a must-do for anyone who enjoys a small challenge here and there. We've posted some pointers at https://www.thechopstickstore.com/how_to_use_chopsticks_a/251.htm Can't wait for spring festival and all the treats! Have a great day!

[Anonymous]

I agree with other posters who said to practice. I was terrible at it, but then I lived in Japan and got good really fast.

Eat all your dinners at home with chopsticks (as much as you can) for 2-3 weeks, and you'll get really good at it.

One of the foods I prefer to eat with chopsticks is salad. It is actually easier to pick up small salad pieces with chopsticks than with a fork sometimes.

the bottom muscle of your hand might be sore a bit but that will go away.

[Anonymous]

OP, it's really no big deal learning to use chopsticks. It's not like learning a foreign language. Anyone can pick it up regardless of age.

You can start by making your own "cheaters" and practice. You will master it in no time. No need to go out and buy a trainers, you can make one. Here's how:
http://lunchinabox.net/2008/11/24/make-your-own-learning-chopsticks/

Of course, you can consult youtube videos, there are bunch out there...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUegmKDcB1c

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I learned when I lived in Japan (learned all my Asian table manners there originally). I got pretty good at it. (Sidebar: I always found it fun when someone in Japan exclaimed "Oh, you can use chopsticks! You are so good at it!" to respond "Oh, you can use a fork! You are so good at it!" )

Then I married DH (Vietnamese) and now I use them about half of the time (when we have Asian food).

The trick is that you lock one chopstick in the crook of your hand (where thumb meets hand) and hold the other like a pencil, and you ONLY MOVE THE ONE YOU HOLD LIKE A PENCIL!

Also, Asians don't use chopsticks for things that they don't work well on (fried rice, soup, curry, etc). They either use spoons or small bowls (meant to be lifted to the lips) for those things. TMYK!

Are you an ex-JET? I learned when I was in Japan, and just rolled my eyes at all the "o hashi jodyzu!" comments (You are good at using chopsticks!)

[Anonymous]

Seriously? You know adults who can't use chopsticks? In DC?

Baffling.

[Anonymous]

penguinsix wrote:I learned in my 20s, and now use them basically every day (married to an Asian and living in Asia). However, a few years ago one of my 'aunties' remarked that I still used chopsticks 'like a child'. I was apparently holding the sticks sort of in the middle of the stick rather than higher up, which they said was preferred. So had to make that adjustment.

Our kids have been learning on 'training' chopsticks. We'll switch them over to regular ones pretty soon.

Penguin, I knew I recognized your sigline from somewhere-- I'm a former user (more of a former lurker) of the Dave's forum.

We came back to DC after 3 years in Korea-- brought back a couple of pairs of training chopsticks too. Pororo ones of course