Datalounge, can you teach me how to use chopsticks?

The shortcut is: use a fork.

East Asia is famous for its complete lack of left-handed people. They just starve.

If only there were a video that instructs you on how to do that. Say, on YouTube.

Nope. But I can teach you to play it with me on the piano.

So, we have these things called FORKS and SPOONS.

They work much better than two sticks to pick up tiny, small morsels of grain.

I promise, we won't judge you. I can pick up a piece of sushi, or a slice of vegetable or meat, but even I really suck at it. It depends on what kind of mood I'm in whether I'll even attempt using them.

Find a few different YouTube videos and practice. Stop using a fork until you’ve mastered it.

It will never feel natural to me but O can get through a meal without embarrassing myself due to poor chopstick skills.

Ever since I first tried them as a kid I never had any difficulty using them. Anyone else not have any trouble with them? I think maybe the trick is not to think about it.

Is t tacky to request forks in Asian countries where chopsticks are the norm?

R8 it’s not tacky but it would be embarrassing.

I saw something on a tv show about putting a rubber band around the base.

I'm generally very uncoordinated, and that includes chopstick failure. I can sort of use them, but I end up eating so slowly that my food gets cold.

If Amputees can learn how to write with their feet, then you can learn to use chopsticks. Practice.

I'm not good at it, especially with noodles or rice and picking up the bowl to shove it in my mouth. It's my failure, my prejudice, as a western person who was drilled on a different way of eating manners since early childhood. The plate never leaves the table.

But I try and attain a clumsy degree of success.

Try an Ethiopian restaurant. All hands.

Outside of actually being in Asian countries (except Thailand - where they use forks), there's no real need to use them.

I remember in the 80s it was seen as some sign of sophistication or whatever. I'm ok with them, but obviously only use them infrequently.

But I get pissed off whenever anyone makes fun of anyone else for not being able to use them. Like there's some sort of shame or a complete lack of sophistication because you can't use chop sticks like a native.

There are some pretentious people (usually white people) who want to show off with their chopstick ability, which is just that - pretentious and silly.

Asian people don't give a fuck and they don't think that you're more sophisticated because you use them.

It’s not because you’re left handed. Practice, and then practice some more.

I have an Asian friend who is in his late 30s, single and still lives at home with his mom and dad. He has a very good job at a local college in their library (doing digital transfers, or something of that nature) and that's where I met him about twelve years ago - working in the library with him. We've remained friends after I left about ten years ago. Over the years, the poor guy has opened up more and more about his strict Chinese life at home. At least he now has a sense of humor about it, and can laugh at some of the stuff. (He was born in Beijing and moved out here when he was a toddler).

Whenever we get together for dinner, he always makes a joke about how happy he is to use silverware at the restaurant. At home, there has never been any silverware in the house. He is only allowed to use chopsticks at home in front of his mother and father - otherwise there is Hell to pay. For some reason, they are very strict about this (and other things - like no AC in the house, despite our sweltering summers). He told me that many Asian friends of his grew up the same way - no silverware, you have to use chopsticks at home. He doesn't know why, but they all follow the rules.