Chopsticks

[Jeff Scott]

Those are the ones he's referring to. They're called waribashi, and his advice against rubbing them together is entirely correct. They may be disposable, but the act of rubbing them together implies exactly what he notes, and is considered poor manners at a Japanese table.

If you still want to check for splinters or loose shavings, this can be done more politely with a discreet rub/roll action of each one between a finger and thumb across (not along) the edge where the cut between them was made.

Bonus: If you really want to do things right, after you're finished eating, slide the chopsticks back into the paper wrapper. This is a consideration made toward the person who has to clear the table, as it makes things easier, and a bit more sanitary, for them to clean up.

Good information! I guess things have change a "bit" since the mid '80s.

 

[E2942]

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant.
If you sat in a quiet room with it, you can actually hear it growing.

In Japan they have perfected the art of growing trees on top of other trees, vertically instead of horizontally, taking up less land.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I found this short video on them interesting and enlightening.

My son’s wife is Japanese. 9 years ago we went to Japan and met her family. My chopstick skills entertained them at many a meal. Not knowing proper chopstick etiquette however can be a major offense/insult there. We are in the process of making plans to go back this summer, so I’ll be working on my skills.

 

[Winslow]

Good information! I guess things have change a "bit" since the mid '80s.

Thanks! I'm not sure the manners have changed that much, necessarily; But more people traveling back & forth, leading to more people learning, plus much wider access to information? Definite improvement.

Edit to add; Just saw your other post about habits learned from a Korean friend. That fits with what I noted about the customs particular to Japan, and the blurry lines of such things in the US.

 

[Jeff Scott]

My son’s wife is Japanese. 9 years ago we went to Japan and met her family. My chopstick skills entertained them at many a meal.

We need videos!

 

[Gorn]

I used to care about the perceived rudeness of rubbing wooden chopsticks together until I got a splinter in my gums.

 

[hieronymous]

I have seen a fair bit of hexagonal, but I do not think I have ever seen octagonal.
The steel ones are good for pulling bulgogi apart, or pulling meat from the bone at a barbecue.

I should have responded earlier - re: octagonalness your post inspired me to actually go and check - they are hexagonal! Actually, I haven't been using the much, but when I got them in Japan there was a show on where they would state "HEXAGON" as they answered and I would say that whenever I used them for the next several years - it kind of lost its allure (as if it had any for my wife who had to endure it for years) so when I posted that I had octagonal chopsticks it seemed right, but it was in error...

(I think I still have a handle on my various picks, but this incident calls that confidence into question...)

 

[shadowtippy]

The first time I used chopsticks I did a good job with them. With subsequent attempts I have gotten progressively worse. I think I would starve if I had to eat with them all of the time.

 

[Jeff Scott]

As I had mentioned above, my facility with chopstick get worse the older I get, but I soldier on. No way I'm using a fork to eat sushi!

 

[E2942]

For a beginner, just grip them closer to the grasping end, & remember to hold the bottom one still & move the top one with your finger.
A lot of people grip too far up & try to move them both, in reality only one needs to move.

It helps to even them up too, but I think everyone knows that.
Doing that by pushing the points down onto the table is also frowned upon in Japan, but acceptable just about everywhere else in Asia:

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would be leery of any of the bright colored or fancy chopsticks made for US import, based on what I read about some Chinese manufacturing standards. I dated a girl from Taiwan for several years when I was younger, so my technique is pretty good.

 

[E2942]

Where do you think the waribashi, in nearly every restaurant that has them, come from?

 

[MJ5150]

I'll have to check the wrapper next time I'm at a Chinese restaurant and see.

-Mike

 

[buldog5151bass]

Where do you think the waribashi, in nearly every restaurant that has them, come from?

I'm talking about the stuff aimed at the American retail market, especially the flashy looking stuff. Just my opinion.

 

[WRM]

Once again, TB caused me (fortunately curable) GAS, after watching OP's video. I already own a set (two pair) in metal but couldn't resist ordering an ornate hand-made pair. I'll post pics when they arrive, and shame on you, @Jeff Scott !...

 

[hieronymous]

I used to care about the perceived rudeness of rubbing wooden chopsticks together until I got a splinter in my gums.

I never got a splinter from chopsticks, but I did get a packing staple in my salad in New York City once. I told the waitstaff, and they just called out to the others, "hey look what this guy got in his salad!"

 

[Gorn]

I never got a splinter from chopsticks, but I did get a packing staple in my salad in New York City once. I told the waitstaff, and they just called out to the others, "hey look what this guy got in his salad!"

I was at a moderately fancy streak house and in a baked potato was metal bristle from a potato cleaning brush. The waiter said "oh wow, that's not good."

 

[E2942]

I am very careful not to bristle against any potatoes when I am streaking in the house.

 

[Winslow]

I am very careful not to bristle against any potatoes when I am streaking in the house.

Hey, in your own house, what you do with your potatoes is your own business...


Weird maybe, but your own business nonetheless!

 

[shadowtippy]

Hey, in your own house, what you do with your potatoes is your own business...


Weird maybe, but your own business nonetheless!

And we don't want pictures. Well, some might.