Page 88 - WDT Winter 2018 japan

CHOPSTICKS

hopsticks, it could be argued, are emblematic of you’re spearfishing while searching for the bits to eat next.
Asian cuisines. They still conjure up exotic Far Food spearfishing gives the impression you’re judging
East destinations and dining, even though they’re the food or picking out favorites – all insults to the chef.
ubiquitous at mall and strip mall eateries across • Don’t point chopsticks at anyone; it’s considered bad
Cthe U.S. manners just as jabbing your finger in someone’s face
Chopsticks go back a long, long way. The Chinese have been is in America. And don’t wave the chopsticks in the air
wielding them since at least 1200 B.C. when longer versions either. Italians may have a tough time complying with this
served as cooking implements – think early tongs. By 500 one.
A.D., they were adopted as eating utensils and appeared in • Standing chopsticks upright in rice is viewed as an omi-
South East Asia and Japan. nous sign of impending death. When the Japanese do
Chopsticks owe their popularity to Chinese poverty, popula- this, they are mourning the dead and helping them with
tion explosions, and Confucius. During baby booms, cooks their journey to the afterlife. Putting chopsticks down on
were forced to be resourceful with their meager rations, chop- your bowl or plate is not kosher either; use the chopstick
ping them into smaller pieces to save cooking fuel. Chopsticks rest or hashioki provided in even the dinkiest eateries. If
were perfect for picking up bits of food and slowing down there’s no hashioki, fold up the paper wrapper from the
dining time. Plus Confucius, a vegetarian, put the kibosh on chopsticks and use it for a rest.
knives at the dinner table because they reminded him of • Don’t bring your bowl to your lips and use the chopsticks
slaughterhouses which gave him indigestion. He said that to shovel food you’re your mouth. It’s rude and noisy,
happiness and contentment should reign supreme at the table though I’m not sure why slurping soba or ramen is con-
and, it seemed, everyone in Asia agreed. So knives were out, sidered OK.
and chopsticks became the eating instruments supreme. • And for god’s sake, don’t indulge your hidden Ringo Starr
Chopstick Etiquette and use your chopsticks as drumsticks. That drives fellow
Learning to wield chopsticks includes learning all the rules for diners nuts and can also chip the china.
their use. Here are some prime gaffes you should avoid when • Don’t feel offended if your hosts offer you throw away
dining in Japan or anywhere in Asia wooden chopsticks. Family chopsticks are very personal
• Don’t suck on the ends of chopsticks; it’s considered to the Japanese and if you are fortunate enough to visit
unpleasant. Don’t bite the ends of chopsticks either, espe- a Japanese family as we were, don’t wince when your
cially when using reusable sticks; restaurant proprietors chopsticks are inexpensive wood or plastic.
don’t want teeth marks on their implements or to pay for • You won’t find western eating utensils on the table at
dental work. Don’t bite wooden throw-aways either; you most Japanese restaurants, although almost all will pro-
might get splinters in your gums. vide a fork if requested. Also, it would be very appropriate
• Stabbing or spearing food with the chopsticks is consid- to apply most of the chopstick rules to your use of forks,
ered rude. And don’t hover your sticks over the dish like knives, and spoons – even when not dining in Japan.

88 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018