China Travel Forum

[PHOENIX]

Chinese have been using chopsticks for centuries. It is a superior eating tools than the western forks & knives.

Eating with chopsticks require a certain amount of dexterity. Once you have mastered this skill, you can use it in more ways that the forks & knives.

Westerners have often watch in awe at the chinese usage of this simple yet efficient chopsticks.

Westerners have tried to use it but frequently found that the food have landed anywhere else except their mouth.

Eating with forks & knives is a slow and bothersome process. You have to cut up the food in bite-size pieces before transferring to the mouth. By the time the westerners have taken 2 bites, the chinese would have finish their meals

[JACK]

Have you tried eating pizza with chopsticks??

Actually there is a lot more to this subject than meets the eye. On a recent visit, it seemed to me that the whole dietary practices in China are governed by the use of chopsticks. There are so many styles of western food that are not enjoyed in China because of the necessity to have food pre cut into sizes suitable for use with chopsticks. The taste choices of Chinese people are very limited due to this reliance. I appreciate that most Chinese will disagree with me, but there is a whole other world of cuisine that they have not experienced, and never will because of the use of these utensils.

PS I for one do not include pizza in that that is one big advantage that chopsticks have LOL

[LEMONCACTUS]

Have you been to China recently ?

The Chinese don't limit themselves to using 'just' chopsticks any more than we in the west simply use a knife and fork.

The Chinese make and eat fabulous soup - with a spoon

I've seen Chinese and Westerners side by side eating pizza, burgers, Italian food etc... just like in the West with a knife and fork or with their fingers!

Personally I love chopsticks as part of the whole custom of food and eating in China and having barely used a knife and fork in a year, I don't miss them at all!