Chopsticks can be made of bamboo, wood, plastic, or stainless steel.
Chopsticks are widely used eating utensils in Asia, particularly in China, Korea, Japan, and Thailand. They are in the form of two sticks that can be made of bone, metal, wood, jade, or ivory, depending on the owner and intended use. Chopsticks are used by billions of people and probably originated during the Shang dynasty in China between 1766-1122 BC. Proper use of this tool takes some practice, and each culture that uses it has its own traditions and superstitions around eating utensils. These must be followed in cultivation to avoid a misstep.
In China, it is conventional to take a bowl of rice and use chopsticks to bring the rice to your mouth.
There are many different types of chopsticks, depending on the nation they are made in and what they are used for. As a general rule, all countries that use them make chopsticks in a variety of sizes for various hands, along with regular and extra-large serving utensils for cooking. The ones used for eating can be quite ornamental and are usually personalized for the owner, while the communal and kitchen types are simpler. Dull chopsticks are common in most Asian countries, although Japanese varieties are noted for commercial purposes.
Chopsticks are widely used throughout China.
The English name comes from the pidgin word, “chop”, which means “quick”. It is derived from the Chinese word for “swift one”, kuai-tzu. Sticks are normally held between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and a complex set of rules govern their use. As a general rule, diners should never play with their chopsticks, use them to move plates or bowls, or eat from shared plates with staff. Also, it is considered rude to hit a plate with your chopsticks to attract attention, and it is bad luck to cross your chopsticks, a Chinese symbol for death.
Many of the taboos related to the use of chopsticks are also related to death and funeral rituals. For example, diners should never pass food directly to each other using it, because this is how cremated bones are treated after a Buddhist funeral. In Japan, chopsticks should never be placed on a food plate facing the sky, as this is similar to the funeral incense offering. Other taboos, such as not using community eating taboos, are related to common sense infection control.
Each nation also has restrictions related to general table manners. In China, for example, it is conventional to take a bowl of rice and use chopsticks to shove the rice into your mouth. In Korea, this is considered impolite and will be frowned upon. As a general rule, when dining as a guest in a different country, follow the lead of your hosts and apologize promptly if you cause unintentional offense.