Chopsticks etiquette

[Twinmama]

Interesting about the rice thing. I wonder if it's sorta like "double dipping" but with rice?

[r8rpwr]

I haven't eaten with chopsticks in forever, but I really should try it again soon. We don't eat much Chinese food, and when we do it's usually takeout, so my opportunities have been limited.

[Raquelita]

We have a couple dozen chopsticks. I use them rarely, but my DH uses them several times a week to eat (a throwback to the semester he studied abroad in China). I am passable with them to other Americans, but according to DH "i use my chopsticks like a peasant" lol! (It's now a joke between us)

[clara]

It is also true in Japan, it is impolite to stick your chopstick vertically into food especially into a bowl of rice. It is also a no no to directly pass food from your chopsticks to another. AND don't use it to point at somebody hehe.

[peacherina]

LOl thats funny about the point lol. I was just thinking about this today. Because I saw a commerical on tv and they were using chopsticks. i have never used chopsticks before. I eat chinese food often but without chopsticks

[rt49andellis]

I bought some chopsticks a few years back. Failed miserably at using them so now I use them to put my hair up. Gosh.. can't imagine what impolite thing I'm saying with that!!!

Here's a diagram on how to hold chopsticks... Not that it's gonna help me... LOL http://www.japancorner.com/etiquette.asp#chopsticks

Here are some quotes:
"Don't stand up the chopsticks in the rice in your bowl. This is done at funerals for dead people at the alter. A bowl with chopsticks stuck in it is placed there to remember the dead person. This is a BIG no-no at the dinner table.

Don't pass food with your chopsticks directly to another guest's chopstick set. This is don't at funerals when moving the bones and ashes of cremated bodies. Still hungry?"

"For those who are unfamiliar, Chinese go worship the dead in the cemetery twice a year. Those are more strict adherents may worship at home more often as well. You worship by planting sticks incense in groups of three in front of the grave, or if at home, in front of the memorial, after which you bow three times. You can see the similarity to chopsticks in rice."

[shannone]

I have never been able to master using a chop stick. Everytime I order Chinese food I ask for chop sticks. I read the directions on the pack and still cant figure it out. I always end up using a fork instead.

[phoenyxstarr]

I've tried to use chopsticks, I even got a pair of those kiddie ones because they were tied together to make them easier to learn how to use properly. But I couldn't learn at all, my friend uses them quite frequently and while she's not as good as someone who has used them their whole life, she's definitely one of the better chopstick users I've seen. She tried to show me, and she holds her like someone described above, but I couldn't get it.

[Manga]

If you never use chopsticks, you probably wont get used to them at all. Im very used to them as i do eat quite a lot of chinese take out. they arent hard to learn, just hold it like a pencil and twiddle around with them

[mtmomj]

I have never used chopsticks in my life. Though, we don't have many chinese restaurants around me. Maybe one or two within 45 miles. My husband says I shouldn't have a hard time, but I duno about that!