Chinese food - chopsticks
#1
Chinese food - chopsticks
When eating in Chinese/Thai restaurants in the UK chopsticks were invariably supplied, but rarely used. In Calgary, it is the exception for chopsticks not to be used. It would appear that everyone, except me and those under 18 months of age, can use chopsticks.
Is this a Canada wide phenomenon, or just a Calgary one?
Is this a Canada wide phenomenon, or just a Calgary one?
#2
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
If all the films and TV programmes I've watched portray anything at all of real life then it would seem that Americans too are pretty dexterous with chopsticks ...... poking around in what look to be like little cardboard boxes and pulling out noodles.
#3
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
I can use chopsticks but only do so when in the company of people who want to display cultural sensitivity to the staff. If I'm with Asians I use a fork. That said, most Chinese food in the GTA is eaten from polystyrene containers with plastic implements.
#4
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
When eating in Chinese/Thai restaurants in the UK chopsticks were invariably supplied, but rarely used. In Calgary, it is the exception for chopsticks not to be used. It would appear that everyone, except me and those under 18 months of age, can use chopsticks.
Is this a Canada wide phenomenon, or just a Calgary one?
Is this a Canada wide phenomenon, or just a Calgary one?
#5
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
The soup course took a while.
#6
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
As a family, we became skilled in the use of chopsticks while living in Korea. Most Koreans use chopsticks at home and in restaurants. We routinely eat noodle-y dishes with chopsticks, even at home.
I think North Americans feel comfortable with chopsticks because they prefer eating with one hand, as we table-manners-obsessed Brits constantly observe.
I think North Americans feel comfortable with chopsticks because they prefer eating with one hand, as we table-manners-obsessed Brits constantly observe.
#7
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
I can use chopsticks.
If I am given them when eating out, I tend to use them, but when eating a takeaway at home I don't usually bother.
If I am given them when eating out, I tend to use them, but when eating a takeaway at home I don't usually bother.
#8
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
As a family, we became skilled in the use of chopsticks while living in Korea. Most Koreans use chopsticks at home and in restaurants. We routinely eat noodle-y dishes with chopsticks, even at home.
I think North Americans feel comfortable with chopsticks because they prefer eating with one hand, as we table-manners-obsessed Brits constantly observe.
I think North Americans feel comfortable with chopsticks because they prefer eating with one hand, as we table-manners-obsessed Brits constantly observe.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663560
#9
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
#10
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
I am rubbish at chopsticks. I find that the food gets cold because it takes so long to eat. Quite frankly, the best tool for eating a bowl of rice seems to me to be a spoon, but I am sure that is a bit uncouth. I make concessions and use a fork.
#11
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
When eating in Chinese/Thai restaurants in the UK chopsticks were invariably supplied, but rarely used. In Calgary, it is the exception for chopsticks not to be used. It would appear that everyone, except me and those under 18 months of age, can use chopsticks.
Is this a Canada wide phenomenon, or just a Calgary one?
Is this a Canada wide phenomenon, or just a Calgary one?
I'm ok with them, but there is no shame in asking for western cuttlery; the food is going to taste the same regardless. Only tossers make negative judgements about people that can't use them.
#12
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
I never use them and am always happy to ask for a fork. I am just amazed at how many Calgarians use them, it was not something that I noticed when eating in such restaurants in the UK.
#13
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
I read somewhere that in China alone, disposable wooden chopsticks have a devastating impact on deforestation. They use over 1 billion pairs every day.
#15
Re: Chinese food - chopsticks
We always use chopsticks. In the UK I always had to ask for a pair if we ate at a Chinese restaurant. My parents taught me to use them when I was very young I think, because whenever we had Chinese takeaways as kids, we all used them.
Call me strange, but I think Chinese/Thai food always tastes nicer when I use chopsticks, I don't like eating it with a fork. A bit like proper chip shop chips taste best when I eat them out the paper.....
Call me strange, but I think Chinese/Thai food always tastes nicer when I use chopsticks, I don't like eating it with a fork. A bit like proper chip shop chips taste best when I eat them out the paper.....