Chopsticks

Chinese choose chopsticks as their tableware rather than a knife and fork since Chinese people, under the cultural guidance of Confucianism, consider a knife and fork to represent a sort of violence, and to resemble cold weapons. However, chopsticks reflect gentleness and benevolence, the main moral teachings of Confucianism.

Chinese food seems to taste better when eaten with chopsticks which are the special utensil that the Chinese use to dine with. It is usually an awkward first experience for foreigners to use chopsticks with their meal. Fortunately, learning to eat with chopsticks is not difficult.

The secret to using chopsticks is to hold one chopstick in place while pivoting the other one to pick up individual portions. How to position the chopsticks is the secret you have to learn. 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?
After a little practice, you can use them to enjoy any meal including Chinese food. Certainly in the first few attempts, you have to take care.

Using chopsticks to eat rice is a problem for most foreigners. Generally the tip 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. Since this is difficult for foreigners, simply lift portions of rice to the mouth from the bowl held in the other hand - this is perfectly acceptable.

There are superstitions associated with chopsticks too. 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.