How to Use Chopsticks

Ever feel silly asking for a fork in an Oriental restaurant? Well fret no more!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A pair of chopsticks.
• A hand with fingers and an opposable thumb.
• A little patience.

1. 
   The Anchor

   The Anchor - Pick up a chopstick and place it in the crook between your thumb and first finger with the pointy end facing out. To hold it in place simply squeeze it between the thumb and ring finger (that's the one next to the pinky). Use the ball of the ring finger and middle part of the thumb. You should, conceivably, be able to poke things with it without it slipping around.

2. 
   The Pencil (and Anchor)

   The Pencil - Pick up the other chopstick and place it just above the Anchor so that the lengths line up and they're pointing the same way. Hold it in place using the ball of your thumb and the ball of your middle finger. You can also use the pointer finger as a guide in the same way you would hold a pencil.

3. 
   The Grab

   The Grab - Now to practice. Start with something big and soft so you can get used to holding things. Try a piece of balled up bread or a small spongecake. You might find that using the balls of your fingers isn't your preference and you'd rather use the sides of the fingertips instead. Comfort is key.

4. 
   The Pinch

   The Pinch - The real trick is to be able to pick up small things like a single morsel because then you can go fast and really shovel food in (you should see the way a pro eats--like lightning!). So also practice just holding the tips together in a pinch. The Pencil does most of the moving, while the Anchor is merely the foundation to pinch against. Like having an opposable thumb! Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Try just stirring food with chopsticks as you cook to practice holding them.
• Practice The Anchor and/or The Pencil alone, before combining.
• You can always find yourself some "training" chopsticks (connected at one end like tongs, or hinged like scissors) to practice with.

[GeoffreyMe]

on 1/17/2009 Practice makes chopsticky.

[insidestory]

on 1/16/2009 Thanks for the directions on using chop sticks. I can practice now with these tips.

[GeoffreyMe]

on 11/4/2008 a billion chopstick users can't be wrong! hehe Thanks!

[GeoffreyMe]

on 10/24/2008 just make sure someone's there with an open mouth to catch it!

[leanan]

on 10/23/2008 I STILL can't use those damn things, unless flinging food across the room is acceptable ;)