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Using Chopsticks

Chinese simply choose chopsticks as their tableware rather than knife and fork since
Chinese people, under cultivation of Confucianism, considering knife and fork bearing
sort of violence, like cold weapons. However, chopsticks reflect gentleness and benevolence,
the main moral teaching of Confucianism.
Learning to eat with chopsticks is not difficult. After a little practice, one can use them to
enjoy Chinese food. There are superstitions associated with chopsticks too. One who
finds an uneven pair at his/her table setting is 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.
In china, people eat together at one table, so usually the host will serve some dishes
with his or her own chopsticks to show the hospitality.
More suggestions about table manners are given as follows:
1. Never stick chopsticks upright in the rice bowl, since that is usually done at a funeral
and will be seen as an extremely impolite gesture to the host and seniors present.
2. Making sure the spout of the teapot is not pointing toward anyone.
3. Don’t tap on the bowl with chopsticks, since that will be deemed an insult to the host
or the chef.
4. Never try to turn a fish over and debone it, since the separation of the fish skeleton from
the lower half of the flesh will usually be performed by the host or a waiter. Some people
will take it as bad luck (a fishing boat will capsize).

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