can you use CHOPSTICKS? - Page 2

stogie25 · stogie25's Garage

I was stationed in Okinawa for two years when I was in the Marines. I did not know how to use them when I got there, but I sure could when I left. I was one of the lucky guys that found a local girlfriend who taught me how to use ohashi, and showed me parts of the island that most Americans did not get to see.

I remember one intoxicated night chasing a peice of tofu around a bowl for a half an hour or so before finally pulling my pocket knife and solving the problem.

audiman08 · 11-12-2009, 05:29 PM

I guess European cavemen thought stabbing something to pick it up is easier than using twigs.

trekkor · 11-12-2009, 05:33 PM

I'm good with them. Can you grab an ice cube out of your water glass?

KT

stomachmonkey · 11-12-2009, 05:48 PM

Yes, and my kids do as well. Not of Asian heritage either.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

My wife is Korean, I'd starve if I couldn't.

MT930 · 11-12-2009, 06:01 PM

Yea I like em.

john walker's workshop · 11-12-2009, 06:23 PM

i catch flies. to eat, not so much. i'm hungry, so a fork is better.

Shuie · 11-12-2009, 07:23 PM

I like them, too. It took me a little while to figure out how to shovel noodles and rice with them, but I do tend to eat with chop sticks now whenever they are offered.

MotoSook · 07:48 PM

Yes. Been using them for as long as I can remember, but I only use them for noodle soup, Pho especially. The engineer in me says they are to inefficient, so forks and spoons get more use.

Joeaksa · 11-12-2009, 07:44 PM

Grew up using them. Still use them often.

First used the Chinese versions then later the Japanese versions. Chinese are a lot easier as are the wooden ones you usually get.

Eating single grains of rice with a set of Japanese chopsticks builds patience...

Still have a set of Ivory Chinese chopsticks that my Father brought back with him. Use them rarely but they sure are nice.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Yes, learned at a very early age..

speeder · speeder's Garage

I'm pretty good with them but still use a fork in Asian restaurants sometimes depending on the dish. You can never beat a fork if you want a nice bit of rice plus meat and veggies in every bite w/ some Chinese dishes.

Something like Pad Thai or a Chinese chicken salad I will eat w/ sticks. I ate a CCS from Chin Chin yesterday while driving in rush hour traffic on surface streets and the freeway w/ sticks and got chicken and sliced almonds in every bite. I know, I know... I should not admit that but sometimes I'm too hungry at dinner time to wait and I don't have time to stop and eat because I need to be somewhere.

Shuie · 11-12-2009, 08:22 PM

Using chopsticks in traffic is hard core. I'm pretty good with them, but I can't do that

aigel · aigel's Garage

The other day I went for lunch to a Chinese hole in the wall place with an all Asian group of coworkers. The waitress very discretely slipped me a fork while taking our order. I was the only Caucasian on the entire block. We got a good laugh out of that one.

I learned to eat with chopsticks as a kid. If I remember right, my older sister brought a couple pairs home and we practiced and picked it up quickly. You'd look like a fool in Southern CA if you wouldn't know how to use chopsticks. Especially with a high percentage of Asian coworkers and buddies. I love Asian food and I agree that it tastes better with chopsticks.

Now, would someone slip you a pair of chopsticks in a German restaurant if you are Asian and go for lunch with all Caucasian group of coworkers?

George

Erakad · Erakad's Garage

Yup, have truly mastered the use...otherwise would have starved in Japan.

Carrerax · 11-13-2009, 03:55 AM

I can use them very well and so can my 4 and 5 year olds. I actually prefer chopsticks to a fork fork when eating salads. Much easier to "pinch" that to try and stab with a fork. FYI. Not even close to bieng asian....just out of shape old white guy...

cmccuist · 11-13-2009, 04:12 AM

I can use chop sticks, but I'm not very good with them. I always ask for a fork. When I go out to lunch with office workers, there's always some knob who has to try and teach everyone how to do it, but he's basically just being an idiot. I tell the tool "hey, you're just as talented as 1.2 billion Chinese people who use chop sticks every day."

Moses · 11-13-2009, 04:36 AM

Growing up in the SF Bay it's close to impossible to avoid using chopsticks. We were taught in school. First grade, I think.

I'm completely comfortable eating with sticks. It makes me eat more slowly and I enjoy the food more that way.

The Gaijin · 11-13-2009, 05:52 AM

Folks in Asia see forks and particularly knives to be the height of barbarism.

Imagine - cutting your own food, at the table!

Also, the word "chopstick" is a horrible one. In Japanese it is: o-hashi or o-temoto. Much nicer words..

David · David's Garage

My mom thought we should always use chopsticks when we ate at Chinese restaurants, so yes.

It was funny last year when I went to Japan with 3 other rednecks. They just about starved to death, while I gained a couple pounds.