Karen wrote on 19 Apr 2007 13:24:16 -0700:

K> Chopsticks are disposable, which impacts the environment and
K> uses up trees.

K> They're ancient.

K> You can't cut up a piece of teriyaki chicken or a big piece
K> of sushi with chopsticks. You can't scoop up the soup with a
K> chopstick. You can't spear anything with a chopstick. It
K> seems that modern utensils make more sense but we still use
K> chopsticks.

K> And, some of us aren't very good at using them, either. (me)
K> Is considered that eating with chopsticks tidier than eating
K> with a knife and fork? It seems less tidy to me and some
K> slurping and splattering occurs in the course of using
K> chopsticks.

K> Why aren't chopsticks being phased out? Why do we use
K> chopsticks for certain types of food?

K> Do they make food taste better? Is the slender chopstick
K> able to place the food on the tongue in a location that may
K> enhance the flavor?

Because they are fun and easy to use and because they are the
best implement for eating noodles and many other uses! Marco
Polo never really explained them when he brought noodles to
Italy even if they are better for eating spaghetti than a fork
(I've certainly tried) :-) Thais usually use a spoon and fork
for most foods but keep chopsticks for noodles. It is a
criterion for good Chinese cooking that the food should be
served in pieces small enough for chopsticks....no cutting! Mind
you, I once saw a Chinese lady older than me wielding chopsticks
in her right hand and a fork in the other. That was probably an
implicit criticism of the restaurant! I have seen Chinese
parents of friends of my kids cutting food up with chopsticks
while cooking but I can't do that!

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.not