How to Use Chopsticks

The Chinese have been using chopsticks since the eighteenth century B.C. Early Chopsticks were much longer than modern ones, which measure about 10 inches (25cm) long, because the bronze tripods, quadrupeds, and pottery vessels used for foods then were deeper and had wider rims than food containers today.

Today, chopsticks are usually made of wood or bamboo. Sometimes they are made of ivory or silver. They can be plain, or lacquered or painted with floral or other designs. It is said that emperors and empresses in feudal times used chopsticks made exclusively for them. A pair of these chopsticks, painted with royal symbols of the coiling dragon and flying phoenix, took a skilled craftsman a month to make.

The most sought-after chopsticks nowadays are plain bamboo ones, painted with views of the scenic West Lake, from Hangzhou, lacquered ones from Fujian, and ebony ones made of the black, hard wood found in Guangxi Province.

To learn to use chopsticks, perch them between the thumb, first, middle and ring fingers so they lie parallel to each other. The lower chopsticks rests on the inside tip of the ring finger, which keeps it stationary, while the thumb, first, and middle fingers maneuver the upper chopsticks in a pincer movement to pick up the food. Dexterity comes with lengthy practice - if you can pick up a pea and carry it to your mouth, you can call yourself an expert with chopsticks.

Individual pairs of chopsticks are placed neatly at the right side of the plate, or bowl, at the right angle to the edge of the table. They should not stick out over the table edge because they might fall to the floor. Chinese table settings also often include a second pair of chopsticks, called common chopsticks, which are used by the diners to transfer food from the serving dishes to their own plates or bowls. These chopsticks are placed in front of the diners' plates and parallel to the table edge. After a meal, chopsticks should be left neatly on the table. It is considered bad manners to toss one's chopsticks carelessly on the table after dining.