Chopstick Tips

In our shrinking world, you may find yourself in a situation in which politeness requires you to use chopsticks. Here is a step-by-step guide to eating with them.

1. Put the bottom chopstick in the web of your right hand between the thumb and index finger.
2. Use your two middle fingers to keep the chopstick steady. Hold it firmly but not too rigidly. This bottom chopstick will remain fairly stationary while you are eating.
3. Hold the top chopstick like a pencil between your thumb and index finger. This one does most of the moving.

You can hold the bowl or plate of food under your chin while you’re eating until you feel really confident. In fact, you can continue to do so even after you have become an expert; it’s proper etiquette in Asian cultures.

A good way to learn is to practice picking up popcorn with chopsticks at home. Although it’s good to know how to use chopsticks, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for a fork in most situations. In fact, the Chinese are the ones who invented the fork. (And now you know why.)