Did You Know – Japanese Chopsticks
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.
Source: http://www.Sakura.co
http://www.InDianesKitchen.com
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Categories: Did You Know
In Japan they carry own chopsticks to eating houses . It is a bad thing to ask for chopsticks once seated. Been to gardens all of Japan and no one is hurt if your no expert. I am as spent youth colonial in last days of Empire
How fascinating, I’m guessing each persons chopsticks are unique to them?
Fascinating Diane, thank you
Thank you
Lots of rules!!!! Now I am happy I always ask for a fork.
Haha smart lady! I thought the bowl that the chopsticks rested in was pretty cool though.
wow
Right I had no idea!
Interesting info, I love using chopsticks but I’m afraid I was leaving them across my plate and I do stab foods!
Hahaha you will think twice now. 🤔
These are all very helpful tips that I did not know about! It’s interesting how so much meaning is conveyed through the use of chopsticks!
I agree Ab, I have never seen the bowl where you insert the chopsticks, so clever!
Most informative Diane!
Thank you I found it very interesting as well Dorothy.
It is important to respect cultural practices. I use chopsticks whenever I can.
Absolutely, I need a lot of practice with them except of larger food pieces. I can’t pick up things like rice. Lol
I didn’t realize there was a difference. I learned the hard way there are “serving” chopsticks and eating chopsticks.
I was surprised by that too. Now I didn’t know there were serving chopsticks. I have to google it now to see what the difference is, thank you!
Fascinating!
I thought so too Jonetta.
Wow! Who knew there were so many rules? I’m sure many Americans have made all those mistakes when visiting Japan. I’m sure I would have! Thank you for the information, Diane.
The Chinese have similar etiquette, now I will be aware when I go to a Chinese restaurant as well. You’re welcome!
I was married to a Japanese man many years, and it’s all true. The Japanese are very strict with their culture norms.
I admire it, I wish we had more!
Oh my, now that I’ve read all the don’ts about chopsticks, it might be a good thing I can’t eat with them. But I suppose it’s also bad manners to ask for a spoon in a Japanese restaurant …
Now that’s one thing I didn’t see in my research, if asking for a spoon was bad etiquette.
Well, now we’re in the know! Thank you, Diane—interesting!🙂
You’re welcome Mitzy!
Wow – that’s a ton of dos and don’ts to learn Diane. I found that info fascinating as to what the symbolism is in Japanese culture for different ways in which you placed the chopsticks. I did have to laugh at “Using your chopsticks like makeshift drumsticks for an impromptu tableware concert is a big no!” I’m trying to remember the name of the Japanese steakhouse that was a big hit locally a few years ago – I think it was The Kyoto. I know people would go there, sit with shoes off at a huge table that was near the floor and food was prepared over a flame right at the table. It always sounded like a fun experience. My father was a stickler for eating with a knife and fork – he would eat corn on the cob, fried chicken and pizza with knife and fork and he insisted I do the same for all meals (I got a pass for corn on the cob, KFC and pizza).
The Chinese have similar beliefs with chopsticks. You brought back a memory when you mentioned your dad. My mom also expected good manners. If we reached for food with our fingers she would act like she was going to stab us with a fork. She never did but we thought we were just too quick for her fork. Lol
Ha ha – that is funny. You would have to beat her at this game. 🙂
My mom was a stickler for my elbow on the table if I was eating something like dessert that didn’t require a knife and fork. I’d rest my left elbow on the table and she’d get on me about it.
These were very interesting! I will be careful when we dine at the local sushi restaurant when I used chopsticks!
It definitely opened up my eyes as well Tierney!
Diane, it would be so easy for me to commit a faux pas with these chopsticks. Now I am happy there are no Japanese restaurants in rural NM. The only thing I can identify with is pointing at someone with a chopstick. It is not polite to do that with a fork or knife either. Oh, I also get the drumsticks rule.😂
I had to chuckle at the drumsticks too. In case you eat at a Chinese restaurant, most of this etiquette applies for them too.