2006-12-04 09:58:28 · 11 answers · asked by galelp 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Custom and practice.
2006-12-04 10:00:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, there is some ambiguity to your question. Are you asking why they started using chopsticks? Or, are you asking why they still use chopsticks? Well, if you are asking why they started using chopsticks, there is not a great deal of metal ore in China, Japan and to a lesser extent Korea. As a result, utensils made out of metal wasn't practical. So, since wood was in abundant, using chopsticks made sense. If you are asking why they still use it, I imagine it is partly cultural and partly ease of use. I am not Japanese but I started using chopsticks slightly before learning to use a fork, spoon and knife. To this day, I still use both. There are certain dishes in which it is advantageous to use chopsticks. For example, eating noodles with chopsticks is preferable over using forks. In addition, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and many other Asian cuisine, use thinly sliced meat and vegetables which I find easier to eat with chopsticks. If you haven't tried using chopsticks before, you will be amazed at how easy and effective they are. Try it.
2006-12-04 18:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by What the...?!? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why do Japanese people use chopsticks?
Because Japanese people don't NEED to hack their food to pieces on the plate or in the bowl - the food was prepared so that it's in convenient bite-sized pieces!
So while YOU are stabbing your meat with a sharp fork, and desperately trying to cut it up with a blunt knife, a Japanese person will serenely pick up the bite-sized pieces with chopsticks - and eat!
2006-12-04 19:44:55 · answer #3 · answered by _ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Chopsticks are derived from chinese culture; and are an instrument of eating. Why do European cultures use forks? It's a product of socio-cultural development.
2006-12-04 18:00:56 · answer #4 · answered by KEiKo 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
East Asia, and some portion of people in the S.E.A use chopsticks.
It is their culture.
2006-12-05 18:01:04 · answer #5 · answered by Joriental 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it's more refined than using a fork and knife and sawing at your food at the table.
2006-12-04 18:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by craminator 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well at least they don't need fork and knife as everything is already cut in the plate when everything arrives.
2006-12-04 18:21:06 · answer #7 · answered by kl55000 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hey! we use forks and spoons too! ^_^
I think they are easier to eat with...
2006-12-04 19:28:59 · answer #8 · answered by kokoro_no_ureshii 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why do you use a fork?
2006-12-04 18:01:04 · answer #9 · answered by Trollhair 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
So they can keep their slim figures.
2006-12-04 18:05:24 · answer #10 · answered by besitos2610 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋