how to use chopsticks – Many Asian cultures use chopsticks, and to someone unfamiliar with the utensil, they can be intimidating. Fortunately, with some practice and a bit of patience you will have it down pat much to the jealously of your mates at that next group outing. Click on the link below to learn how you should be using chopsticks that beautifully.
1. Chopsticks
In learning chopstick, choosing the right thing to use can be a big help. Wood and bamboo chopsticks are more grippy compared to plastic or metal ones, so beginners should start with wooden/bamboo youth training wheels.
2. Learn The Anatomy Of Chopsticks
Chopstick Anatomy 101 — First up, let’s start by breaking down the basic elements of a chopstick:
Pro tip: The end that gets food
Now, your body – the section between where you put your hands.
Neck: The thicker end that you hold in your hand.
3. Position the Bottom Chopstick
In the one-third from the top grip, hold lose chopstick like a pencil.
Latch to the bottom of your thumb, at the base of your forefinger.
The bottom chopstick, however, should be left as-is.
4. Position the Top Chopstick
Pinch the top chopstick between your thumb, index and middle fingers like a pen.
The upper chopstick should move up and down to pick something, while the lower one is stable.
5. Practice the Motion
Stow the cleft chopstick, and open/close the space between your fingertips to slide the top chap-stick up.
First of all, you can start with practicing the same motion by picking up small objects (e.g beans or torn off pieces of paper) just to get that motor skill in place.
6. Pick Up Food
Begin with things that are easy to literally pick up like sushi rolls or vegetable chunks
You can then progress to harder textured food like rice or noodles once you are more comfortable.
Tips for Success
Practice Patience: Chopsticks are a learned skill, so don’t fret if you can’t seem to do it right away.
Regular Practice : The other benefit of this is, the more you do it,be a pro in delivering feeling linguistically natural.
See how others do it: This can be the most enlightened exercise is to observe people who are adept at using chopsticks.
Cultural Etiquette
Knowing the cultural etiquette of chopsticks is almost as vital learning to use them properly. Here are some do’s and don’ts:
No upright chopsticks in rice (this looks like what is done at a funeral and so thought bad luck)
No Chopsticks for Pointing: Using chopsticks to point is considered offensive.
No passing of food from chopstick to chopstick: this particular practice is associated with funeral customs.
Conclusion
Knowing how to use chopsticks is life skill that unlocks a whole world of new food possibilities. Just be patient and practice more, once you get the hang of things it would allow you to enjoy a broad selection of Asian dishes without disrespecting their cultural dining practices.
