Chopsticks. No idea where I learned how to use them, but somehow I have become quite adept at manipulating these little sticks. I was once asked to eat in front of an entire kindergarten classroom filled with children, so they could watch how I did it. “See, if he can do it this well, so can you!” was essentially how the lesson went. Mortifying, really, but at least it was in the service of children?
Anyway, on your journey to dining excellence, there are a few rules to keep in mind when eating with “ohashi” in Japan. In particular, there are 10 things you should never do with them.
Rub Them Together
You may be accustomed to rubbing your chopsticks together before you start eating — it’s a common practice in some western countries to remove any splinters before you start eating. Do this in Japan, though, and the host or restaurant will be insulted that you think the chopsticks are low quality.
Stab Them into Food
There may be a learning curve to using chopsticks, but you’ll get the hang of it much faster if you at least try to use them properly. Stabbing at food will make you look like a child.
Stick Them into a Bowl of Rice
The reason you should never stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice is that this is a funeral ritual in both Buddhism and Shinto. If you need to place your chopsticks down while eating, lay them side by side over your bowl or in a chopsticks holder.
Cross Them into an “X”
Creating an “X” with chopsticks signifies death. When you place your chopsticks down (and while holding them), make sure they always remain parallel.
Play Drums with Them
Although they may look like drumsticks, it’s important to start seeing chopsticks as any other utensil. Playing drums with them will look childish, create noise that may bother other people (especially in a restaurant), or give the impression you are impatient waiting for your food.
Point Them Toward People or Objects
Using your chopsticks to point at someone is the equivalent to pointing a finger at someone at the table. Similarly, you shouldn’t use chopsticks to indicate an object, just like you wouldn’t point at something with your fork.
Wave Them Around While Talking
Similarly, you should avoid waving chopsticks around while eating. If you need to use your hands to gesture something, place the chopsticks down first.
Drag Bowls or Plates with Them
It’s bad manners to use your chopsticks to drag plates or bowls toward you — after all, you have your hands. Dragging may also create an unpleasant noise and could cause liquids to spill.
Pass Food to Another Person’s Chopsticks Directly
Passing food with chopsticks is another faux pas due to funeral rituals. In cremations in Japan, funeral workers use chopsticks to pass the bones of the deceased from one person to the next until they reach an urn. If you want to offer someone your food, ask the person to take it from your plate or place it on the person’s plate yourself.
Dig Around in Food with Them
In a dish you are sharing with others, there may be some ingredients that are particularly yummy down near the bottom. You’ll need to accept your bad luck and take from the top. Digging into the dish to find the tastiest bits tells other diners that they are eating the parts you’ve rejected.
Follow these rules while eating with chopsticks and you’ll be fine when dining out in Japan!
Orin Zebest from San Francisco, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
