China Travel Forum

[Keer Garry]

I have heard from a few people who travel to China on business that they carry their own chopsticks. They are advised to do this in attempt to avoid contacting bronchitis and other such things that can be spread by the less-than-fully-sanitary chopsticks supplied by restaurants.

I’ve spent a bit of time in SEA, including HK, Macau, and Taiwan, and I never noticed this, but then again I wasn’t looking either. Is this a common thing among the locals? And if so, I would expect there to be things like little cases for transporting them.

[Maren Tom]

It is very cheap and simple to get hold of a basic pair of chopsticks and a holder for very cheap (or even push the boat out and get a nice pair ie. telescopic ones are the latest fashion). I don't know about avoiding brochitis but it sure helps to keep down the wasteful cutting down of trees. I always carry my own pair when eating out in China or Japan, every little hepls.

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Livin' the dream!

[Joseph Kong]

I've never seen people pull out a pair of their own chopsticks. In China, for years restaurants have been supplying disposable wooden chopsticks. The very good ones will have normal reusable choptsticks. If you really want, you can get yourself a pack of disposable chopsticks.

In Hong Kong, reusable chopsticks are used.

[Shaddy]

Order a glass of boiling water and put your chop sticks in it. If you are eating by yourself, no worries. However, if you are eating at a banquet with many people around the table, it probably doesn't matter much as everyone is putting their chopsticks in their mouth and then into the various dishes.

As the guest of honor you are expected to eat from the various dishes first, so take as much as you want before the others put their chop sticks into the dish.

Most likely you and your family are eating together and so just wash the chopsticks and drink lots of beer and wine. You will have a great time and more than likely will never feel bad.