How to Hold Chopsticks
Growing up, we had a family rule when eating at any restaurant where chopsticks were available: no forks! So, I learned how to use chopsticks at a very early age. For a long time, however, I did not know how to hold them properly (you can find a lot of wrong - I prefer to say different- ways to hold them that work).
There is such a thing as chopstick etiquette, but you need to start out by learning how to use them.
Let's Grab Those Chopsticks!
Here are the two basic steps to holding chopsticks:
- The upper chopstick is held with your index finger, middle finger, and thumb.
- Hold the bottom chopstick between the bottom of your thumb and the top of your ring finger.
Yes, it is as simple as that.
Now, you need to know how to use them. The bottom chopstick basically remains still. The top chopstick is the one you use to grab food.
The Chopsticks Dos and Donts
Do:
Do hold the chopsticks closer to the end.
Do wrap disposable chopsticks in the wrapper, folding it in half, when done.
Do set the chopsticks down in front of you with the tips pointing to the left when you aren't using them.
Do eat any kind of food you can with chopsticks.
Do go on the chopstick diet (think of the weight you will lose...until you figure out how to use those chopsticks to pick up cookies and pieces of ice cream...).
Don't:
Don't hold the chopsticks near the tips.
Don't stab pieces of food with your chopsticks.
Don't play with chopsticks like they are swords (unless you are in the privacy of your own home).
Don't stick the chopsticks under your top lip and pretend you are a walrus (unless you are attempting to get a cranky two year to stop screaming and start laughing).
Don't hold other things in your hand while holding the chopsticks.
Don't eat off of communal plates with your chopsticks.
Don't use your chopsticks to pick up anything but food.
Don't stick the chopsticks up your nose.
Don't use chopsticks to scratch any part of your body.
