What are the Rules of Good Chopsticks Etiquette?
Although the chopsticks are generally useful tool, it is inextricably linked to its cultural past. And we understand that for the uninformed, this might be intimidating, especially since chopstick etiquette is far from uniform. Your Vietnamese auntie may issue different warnings than your Japanese next-door neighbor.
Chopsticks are culturally and symbolically significant in China and other Asian countries. The Chinese, like everyone else in the world, are quite particular about how chopsticks are used. Misusing their favorite eating utensil will make them sad, which is the last thing you want. To avoid any unpleasant feelings, we’ve compiled a list of some chopsticks etiquette rules to observe in China and elsewhere:
• Keep the chopsticks together:
Keep the chopsticks on the edge of your bowl or plate in their assigned area when resting. You should be given a little block to rest them on, but if you aren’t, place the chopsticks together with the ends meeting.
Crossing your fingers on your plate is a symbol of denial, implying that you don’t like the host and are denying their hospitality.
• Chopsticks should not be used to poke food:
Never, ever use chopsticks to poke food. Take a knife if you’re concerned about whether the dish is sufficiently cooked. Cut it and put an end to your doubts. It indicates that you are immature and lack basic table etiquette.
• Don’t play with them:
Do not use the chopsticks to play drums, tap, spin, or bang together. Chopsticks are no different than forks or spoons in this regard. The act of begging is related with drumming your dish with chopsticks.
• Do not stick chopsticks into your food:
Because it’s customary at funerals, sticking your chopsticks upright in your food in any institution is considered as a sign of disrespect.
• Don’t using it for removing bone:
In the Western world, spitting bones directly on the ground is OK, but in China, it is considered disrespectful to the host. To remove the bone from your mouth, use your hand or a chopstick to set it on your plate. It’s a symptom of a bad upbringing.
• Use two chopsticks instead of one:
One chopstick should not be used to stab your food. At all times, two chopsticks should be utilized
• Chopsticks should never be placed in your mouth:
Never put the chopsticks in your mouth when passing the serving dish or bowl. The guideline applies to all dining utensils, therefore observe it here as well. It’s also not safe; someone could fall on you by accident, and the chopsticks could knock a couple of teeth out of your mouth.
• Never use little finger:
To hold the chopsticks, only use your thumb, index, and middle fingers. It’s difficult to use an eating utensil without using your thumb, so it’s just a matter of etiquette.
• Never pick up huge or slick food pieces:
It’s fine to pick up a huge piece of food, such as fried chicken or fried fish, and eat it right away, but not if it’s slick. Also, don’t dig among the food looking for your favorite veggie or meat. It conveys the impression that you’re offering them rejected food and indirectly disparaging them.
• Do not rub your chopsticks together:
In China, rubbing your chopsticks together is considered an insult. When you rub your chopsticks together, you’re implying that you’re attempting to avoid splinters since they’re cheap.
