Revision 2 of 2 Updated February 28, 2008 by Tamar_Haspel

How To Use Chopsticks Howcast Written

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Like skiing and speaking a foreign language, chopstick use is a skill ideally acquired in childhood. But with a little perseverance, adults tired of feeling boorish in Asian restaurants can become adept.

You Will Need

  • Chopsticks
  • Patience

Step 1: Position chopsticks

In your right hand, traditionally used even by the left-handed, rest the thick end of one chopstick on the webbing between your thumb and forefinger so that about an inch of it sticks out beyond your hand, and rest the other end on your ring finger. Keep your fingers loosely curled.

Successful chopstick use depends on stabilizing this bottom chopstick, which doesn’t move, to leave your thumb and forefinger free to maneuver the top chopstick, which does.

Step 2: Grip bottom stick w/ thumb

Grip this bottom chopstick with the bottom of your thumb so it is immobilized and sits firmly on your ring finger.

You can use the tip of your middle finger to stabilize the ring-finger end of the chopstick.

Step 3: Grip top stick w/ fingertips

If you’re holding the bottom chopstick correctly, your entire index finger and the top joint of your thumb are free to move around. Grip the top chopstick between the tips of these fingers so that its tip lines up with the bottom chopstick’s tip.

Step 4: Maneuver top & bottom sticks

To pick up a piece of food, maneuver the top chopstick to grasp it with the tip and brace it against the bottom one.

Etiquette requires that you use chopsticks neither to chop nor to stick. For that, use knives and forks.

Step 5: Lift food w/ chopsticks

Now, carefully lift a piece of food with your chopsticks, taking care not to let it slide out. Sweet success.

Many sushi aficionados insist that sushi should be eaten with the fingers—an excellent fallback position if you have trouble mastering chopsticks.

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