On Apr 19, 6:01 pm, maxine in ri > wrote:
> On Apr 19, 5:22 pm, Karen > wrote:
>
> > Ancient tools are updated to modern tools all over the board. But
> > chopsticks remain on the table. I'm just wondering why. I suppose
> > tradition is the answer?
>
> Tradition is nice. Traditional Asian foods are cut in the kitchen
> or before serving so that they are bite sized when they arrive
I> at the table. I forget which famous Chinese said that knives
> were weapons and should not be brought to the table, so
> the food is bite-sized when it arrives so one can eat it with
> whichever utensil one wishes.
>
> > > Well, don't use them, then. Ask for silverware.
>
> > I could, but I don't. I really don't want to use silverware when
> > everyone else is using chopsticks. So I struggle. But, then I wonder
> > why many struggle?
>
> Because unlike Asian children, we are not taught from early age
> to use them properly. Unless you are dining in a traditional
> Asian restaurant, (the kind with the roasted birds hanging in the
> window, and food like you don't find in the majority of Asian
> restaurants) ask for that silverware. Noone will take offense,
> and you will enjoy your meal much more.

But the food does not taste as good. Two or three days practice with
chopsticks is all it takes to become 'acceptably' competent. A few
more weeks are required to get a decent share of the food.

My real gripe is that too many restaurants bring me knives and forks.
I always have to ask for a bowl and chopsticks.


>
> > Anyway, NOT trying to pick a fight. Just wondering why we cling to
> > chopsticks when eating certain types of food. And, if those reasons
> > are valid (like avoiding the taste of metal), why not use chopsticks
> > exclusively, like for spaghetti, for example?
>
> > Karen
>
> My daughter will use chopsticks for everything. pasta, chicken,
> asparagus, cookies and crackers. I picked up a few of the flat
> shallow
> spoons at the Asian market, and she uses those for all her soups.
> Her dream is to live in Japan drawing graphic novels, so this sort of
> makes sense. I picked up some nice chopsticks at the Japanese-Korean
> store near my house, and we use them over and over. No waste.
>
> It's a choice, they are traditional, and if you prefer cutlery to
> them,
> do not feel intimidated by your friends. Ask. Or else ask the wait-
> staff for lessons. I cannot hold mine correctly and pick up
> anything,
> but the way I've learned to hold them works for me.
>
> Whatever you do, enjoy the food and the company.
>
> maxine in ri