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 How to use Chopsticks:
If you’re like me using chopsticks can be an awkward and klutzy experience. But if you want to impress your date or dinning companions you can with just a little practice master this simple task. And it may even make your Chinese food taste a little better!
The Chinese choose chopsticks as their tableware rather than a knife and fork because they consider a knife and fork to represent a sort of violence, and to resemble cold weapons. On the other hand, chopsticks are viewed as more benevolent, and are reflective of the moral teachings of Confucianism and Chinese Culture.
Fortunately, learning to eat with chopsticks is not difficult.
The trick in using chopsticks is to hold one chopstick in place while pivoting the other one to pick up individual portions. Positioning the chopsticks is the key. First, place the first chopstick so that the thicker part rests at the base of your thumb and the thinner part rests on the lower side of your middle fingertip. Then, bring your thumb forward so that the stick will be firmly trapped in place. At least two or three inches of chopstick of the thinner end should extend beyond your fingertip. Next, position the other chopstick so that it is held against the side of your index finger by the end of your thumb. Check whether the ends of the chopsticks are even. If not, then tap the thinner parts on the plate to make them even. Ok, now you are going to practice. Just place a little pressure on the upper chopstick, the one against your index finger, to make it pivot on the index finger while keeping the bottom chopstick stationary. Isn't it easy?
The key is that the bottom chopstick must remain still, while the upper chopstick moves to grasp the food.
Mastering Rice: Since rice is a mainstay of a good Chinese meal and because it may be the most difficult food to handle you may want to practice at home. Generally the trick to eating rice is to bring one's rice bowl close to one's mouth and quickly scoop the rice into your mouth with one's chopsticks. Because this is may be difficult for those are used to a knife and fork, so it’s acceptable to lift portions of rice to your mouth from the bowl held in the other hand.
Did you know there are superstitions associated with chopsticks? If you find an uneven pair at your table setting, it means you are going to miss a boat, plane or train. Dropping chopsticks will inevitably bring bad luck. Crossed chopsticks are, however, permissible in a dim sum restaurant. The waiter will cross them to show that your bill has been settled, or you can do the same to show the waiter that you have finished and are ready to pay the bill.
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