How to use chopsticks

[Benton Tarantella]

While I consider myself skilled with chopsticks, I had no idea about the complete etiquette involved, but I stumbled upon this site (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2039.html) and thought I should share this with others...
Here is a copy-paste, in case you can't open the link ('cause I think the site is hosted in Asia):

Some of the most important chopstick rules are:

* Hold your chopsticks towards their end, and not in the middle or the front third.

* When you are not using your chopsticks and when you are finished eating, lay them down in front of you with the tip to left.

* Do not stick chopsticks into your food, especially not into rice. Only at funerals are chopsticks stuck into the rice that is put onto the altar.

* Do not pass food with your chopsticks directly to somebody else's chopsticks. Only at funerals are the bones of the cremated body given in that way from person to person.

* Do not spear food with your chopsticks.

* Do not point with your chopsticks to something or somebody.

* Do not move your chopsticks around in the air too much, nor play with them.

* Do not move around plates or bowls with chopsticks.

* To separate a piece of food into two pieces, exert controlled pressure on the chopsticks while moving them apart from each other. This needs much exercise.

* If you have already used your chopsticks, use the opposite end of your chopsticks in order to move food from a shared plate to your own plate.

Knife and fork are used for Western food only. Spoons are sometimes used to eat Japanese dishes that are difficult to eat with chopsticks, for example some donburi dishes or Japanese style curry rice. A Chinese style ceramic spoon is sometimes used to eat soups.

[Liketobake]

I didn't know there were so many rules for using chop sticks....:eek:

[mcnerd]

I wouldn't worry too much about Rule #1 if there is an issue of starving or not, but the others are important for the most part. When you can pick up and hold an egg (in the shell) successfully you will survive well.

I have a pair of "cooking" chopsticks. They are much longer than regular ones so the cook can reach food in the wok without getting an arm exposed to the oil. They are also used by a Host to put food on other people's plates around the table.

I even have an authentic Wok that must be two feet or more in diameter that was used on a kerosene stove on Taiwan (where I used to live years ago). It would be great on a campfire, but for now it lives in the attic.

[Dishwashboy]

Nice tips!

These things are just easy to say but difficult to do. I think that I wouldn’t want to use a chopstick because it is so hard to control. I have already used them but I found it hard to use. If you find it easy then use, otherwise why should you use when some spoon have and fork.

[Ralphy]

I love to use chopsticks :D
I learned how to do it a few years ago and i liked it. I don't eat with chopsticks, i eat with a fork and knife.. but sometimes i like to play with them and eat with them. it's really fun.

[beginnercook]

I know how to use them too and like to brag with this anytime I can. Some of my family members and friends can't use them so this makes me the "showman" in the family. I like to use a fork though, I can eat faster

[karenlyn]

I love eating at Chinese and Japanese restaurants and using chopsticks, and I try to follow the etiquette-- but there were several rules there I didn't know. So thanks... very helpful.

[Lory]

I love chopsticks :D
I first tried to use them a few years ago, but i couldn't so i gave up. But some time later I tried agan and i did it :)
I have a pair at home, and i sometimes use it, but very rare..

[Big Daddy's House]

I sometimes eat Chinese food with chop sticks.

[kazarina]

rule #1 seems kind of weird. I have used chopsticks all my life but i've never held them near the top, I hold them in the middle.

[Advoca]

I live in China and there are few Chinese that would obey the set of Japanese rules rules you quote. How could you pick up rice with chopsticks without sticking the chopsticks into it?

Obviously do not wave your chopsticks about and do not use them as a pointer when talking - simple good manners. But passing food to another from the communal bowl is not taboo, but it is more convenient to use a spoon. Hosts often do this to their guests.

It is encumbent for the host to put more on the plate of a guest than he can eat. It is encumbent on the guest to leave some on the plate so as not to eat the host out of house and home. If the guest clears the plate it signifies he wants more. This rule is about the only rule that is worth learning, though it only applies when you are being entertained. In a family or a friendly group chopstick rules become of little importance.