How does anyone manage to use chopsticks?

Answer 1

How to use chopsticks?
(A) Rest one chopstick on the 3rd and 4th fingers with thumb on top of the middle part of the chopstick.
(B) Hold the other chopstick on the index and middle fingers, by using the tip of the thumb to keep the chopstick in place.
(C) Level Chopsticks, pick up food with movement of the upper chopstick, keep the lower chopstick stationary at all times.

Answer 2

The secret to using chopsticks is to hold one chopstick in place while pivoting the other one to pick up individual portions. How to position the chopsticks is the secret you have to learn. First, place the first chopstick so that the thicker part rests at the base of your thumb and the thinner part rests on the lower side of your middle fingertip. Then, bring your thumb forward so that the stick will be firmly trapped in place. At least two or three inches of chopstick of the thinner end should extend beyond your fingertip. Next, position the other chopstick so that it is held against the side of your index finger by the end of your thumb. Check whether the ends of the chopsticks are even. If not, then tap the thinner parts on the plate to make them even. Ok, now you are going to practice. Just place a little pressure on the upper chopstick, the one against your index finger, to make it pivot on the index finger while keeping the bottom chopstick stationary. Isn't it easy?

Answer 3

What's more to the point I think, is WHY does anyone bother to manage to use chopsticks?

It never ceases to amaze me that despite their reputation for being inscrutable, and for producing such brilliant philosophers as Confucius, the Chinese have still not figured out that it is both easier and more efficient to use a spoon or a fork for eating from a plate or a bowl.

Mind you, it might be a very good eating method to adopt if you want to lose weight. You don't seem to see too many fat Chinese people do you?

I guess that it takes so long to eat a meal with chopsticks that you lose interest in the food before you get to the end of the meal !!!!!

Answer 4

It just takes practise. A good idea would be to use the practise, trainer ones they have at some oriental cafes. They're a compromise between full-on chopsticks and are great to learn with; they're thicker and wider than usual chopsticks. I'm dyspraxic so it took me a good while and even now I still manage to drop food sometimes.

Answer 5

I would try imitation, practise and persistence. Those who don't master chopsticks usually have a mindset that they can't

I thought I had done really well on my first venture with chopsticks, until I got up and saw all the rice I had dropped on the floor. Mind you I was eating from a plate, a small bowl is much easier as you can hold it close to your mouth.

Answer 6

I'm asian, I've been exposed to chopstickes my entire life. It's just something that takes practice. Try eating from a small bowl when using chopsticks, that way you can lift the bowl to your lips, and kinda' shovel the food into your mouth. That way works well with rice and noodles.

Answer 7

lots of practice!

We were taught at an early age - mum and dad bought us chopsticks that were pointy at the end as opposed to the blunt ended chinese ones so we would spear into our food at the dinner table when the chopsticks wouldn't work!!!!

We don't spear our food anymore!

I know grown up chinese people who don't handle chopsticks very well!!!! So I guess it's down to your parents teaching you.


Good luck and happy practising!!! Maybe practise away from the dinner table with non-food items!

Answer 8

Place one chopstick in the web of your hand, at the base of your thumb. Anchor it (hold it in one place) on the tip/side of your ring finger. This is your anchor stick. It will never move, theoretically.

Hold the other stick on the pad of your thumb and along the side of your index finger so the stick pivots there. Move the stick up/down against the other stick with the tip of your middle finger.

You pivot the top stick down and against the bottom stick until you have built enough strength to pick up something. It takes practice. Use new pencils to practice with.

Good Luck! :)

Answer 9

Ha ha. It helps to have a Japanese-American uncle, I'll admit, who taught me at about 10 how to use them. Look, it's all in practice. Don't use chopsticks only when you eat Asian. I ate spaghetti, french fries, popcorn, and anything else I could to get good. You know you're good when you can eat runny scrambled eggs. To keep sharp, I practiced picking up dimes lying flat on the table. It's easy once you get good, and at that time you'll wish non-Asian restaurants offered them!

Answer 10

Well u know people can be diffrent. Some people think it's cool to use chopsticks some people don't. Some people think it's werid some people don't.