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Did You Know – Japanese Chopsticks

indianeskitchen

June 3

Below are ten things you should not do with your chopsticks according to Japanese etiquette.

It may seem convenient to rest your chopsticks by sticking them upright into your bowl of rice. However, in Japan, it is considered not only rude, but also bad luck, because of its affiliation with Japanese funerals. Traditionally, a bowl of rice is left for the dead with chopsticks stuck upright into the rice.
Passing food from chopstick to chopstick is taboo as it has its origins in the Japanese funeral process. When the deceased is cremated, their bones are passed from chopstick to chopstick, in a solemn ceremony.
In Japan, you shouldn't leave your chopsticks resting across the top of your bowl, or across your plate, like a bridge. It seems like an easy way to keep the tip of the chopsticks from touching the table when not in use, but Japanese chopsticks should always be placed back onto the chopstick rest when you're not eating.
If you like to use your hands while talking, make sure to remember to put your chopsticks down before gesturing. Pointing at someone or something with your chopsticks is very impolite.
Licking your chopsticks is rude in Japan. Whether it's a tasty sauce or a bit of stuck food, it's not polite. Most chopsticks sets have a coating so food doesn't really get stuck to it anyway, but if it does, just let it go.
Stabbing or skewering your food with your chopsticks is quite rude in Japan. Even though Japanese cuisine often contains slippery foods, just try your best! It takes practice to learn how to use chopsticks, but with enough practice, you'll be a chopstick master who can grip food of any kind.
Using your chopsticks like makeshift drumsticks for an impromptu tableware concert is a big no! In Japan, children are taught strictly not to beat their chopsticks, no matter how fun it may be.
Never cross your chopsticks when you set them down. You should always set your chopsticks down parallel on your chopstick holder. It is impolite to leave your chopsticks crossed.
If you are given a pair of disposable wood or bamboo chopsticks, you may want to rub them together to get rid of any splinters. If your chopsticks are truly of poor quality, and likely to give you a splinter, this may be acceptable. However, if your chopsticks are fine, especially if they are not disposable, rubbing them together indicates to your host that you think the chopsticks you received are of bad quality.
Confusing Japanese chopsticks with Chinese or Korean chopsticks is not good. If you're shopping for a set or gift set of Japanese chopsticks online, don't make the mistake of buying Korean or Chinese ones instead. Many kinds of Asian cuisine are eaten with chopsticks, but not all chopsticks are made the same.