Chopsticks
Hold chopsticks with one stick still and one moving. That one idea fixes most grips.
Hold them in three steps
Fix the bottom stick
Rest it in the crook of your thumb and lean it on your ring finger. It stays still.
Move the top stick
Hold it like a pen with your thumb, index and middle fingers. Only this one opens and closes.
Even up the tips
Tap the tips on the table so they line up. Grip higher for reach, lower for control. Practice on peanuts.
One chopstick snaps easily. Ten together will not.
Good to know
Is it rude to stick chopsticks in rice?
Yes. Chopsticks standing upright in a bowl look like incense sticks at an offering for the dead. Set them side by side on the rest, or on the edge of your plate.
What is the difference between Chinese and Japanese chopsticks?
Chinese chopsticks are longer with blunt tips. Japanese ones are shorter and taper to a fine point. Korean chopsticks are often flat and metal.
What are serving chopsticks?
Serving chopsticks are a separate pair for moving food from a shared dish to your bowl. Your host may use them to serve you, which is a kind gesture.
