Easy Steps for Using Chopsticks

While eating Japanese food you need to use the chopsticks, and it’s very important to use these in a right and perfect manner. While using chopsticks is not that difficult as it seams, with a few pointers, suggestions and practice one can master the art of having Japanese food with a pair of chopsticks.

Once you have selected your favorite chopsticks, follow these steps:

• Place one chopstick in the crook of your thumb and index finger. The chopstick should be at the base of your thumb and your thumb should be about 1/3 the way down from the broad end of the chopstick.
• Rest the chopstick on your ring finger between half way and 2/3 the way down the chopstick. The first chopstick should now be very stable with one end securely between your thumb and index finger and the other end resting on your ring finger.
• Place the second chopstick in your hand the way you would hold a pen. It should rest slightly on the tip of your thumb and be held into place with support from your middle finger.
• Use your index and middle fingers to practice moving the tip of the top chopstick up and down. The bottom chopstick should remain relatively still. As you move the top one down the tip should meet up with the tip of the bottom one.
• Imagine you are pinching something. If the tips aren’t meeting up, adjust one chopstick so they do because it will be very difficult to pick anything up if the two chopsticks aren’t evenly aligned.
• Attempt to pick up some food! Start with large chunks of food like chopped up vegetables or meat. Once you get the hang of that you can try the trickier foods like rice and grains.