Today is National Chopstick Day. Another great day to celebrate in February. So today may not be a big deal for \u00bc of the world\u2019s population who use chopsticks as the eating utensils of choice for every meal, but for the rest of us, we should put away the forks and spoons for today and use chopsticks for all our meals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improper use of chopsticks, just like any eating utensil is in poor taste and could possibly even be considered impolite or insulting. One should never insert chopsticks upright into your food \u2014 it\u2019s an insult. It\u2019s okay to stab a piece of food with a chopstick, but don\u2019t point at people with them. And don\u2019t suck or chew on the ends of your chopsticks. Also, it goes without saying, chopsticks are not drumsticks \u2014 don\u2019t drum with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Chinese word for chopsticks is kuaizi \u2014 which, roughly translated, means quick little bamboo fellow. The English word \u201cchopstick\u201d was apparently derived from the Chinese Pidgin English words \u201cchop chop\u201d \u2014 which means fast. Chopsticks are called hashi in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chopsticks are traditionally held in the right hand, even by left-handed people, but today it\u2019s acceptable to use either hand \u2014 even though traditionalists still consider left-handed chopstick use \u201cimproper.\u201d If everyone uses chopstick in their right hand, it prevents a left-handed chopstick user from accidentally elbowing a right-handed user seated nearby. Of course, the same argument can be made when using a fork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So happy National Chopstick Day!! However, I do wonder about the \u201cnational\u201d part of the title. In this case, is the \u201cnational\u201d referring to the U.S.? Seems like China and\/or other Asian countries might be more appropriate…. but what the heck, it\u2019s still an occasion to celebrate in February, and I\u2019m going to take advantage of it.
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today is National Chopstick Day. Another great day to celebrate in February. So today may not be a big deal for \u00bc of the world\u2019s population who use chopsticks as the eating utensils of choice for every meal, but for … Continue reading