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Chopsticks. Why still?
- Thread starter Xeke
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ThoseDeafMutes
Member
I'm a fucking pro at using Chopsticks. Got taught by a Thai exchange student 10 years ago, been using them on and off ever since. I'm actually more proficient than many of the Japanese and Chinese nationals who stay with us.
If only it was a useful skill
If only it was a useful skill
i find chopsticks pace the meal in a much more satisfying way than big ol clunky cutlery.
i also recently discovered that one of these:
is as essential to fish n chips as chopsticks are to a bowl of ramen. they've always been a fixture of necessity when eating out of a lap full of newspaper on a windy pier, but even if i'm eating at home off of a plate, this simple device somehow frames the whole experience in a uniquely pleasing way.
i also recently discovered that one of these:
is as essential to fish n chips as chopsticks are to a bowl of ramen. they've always been a fixture of necessity when eating out of a lap full of newspaper on a windy pier, but even if i'm eating at home off of a plate, this simple device somehow frames the whole experience in a uniquely pleasing way.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
Xeke said:
most people realize that taco gloves can be used for other off-label purposes.
use your head, man.
No, he's trying to argue that they're useless. And why do you think I was trying to insult him? Not everyone on GAF is a troll.Spokker said:
They're definitely more difficult to use for soup dishes and noodles. But I love the way they feel in the hand and they're nicer to eat with than the disposable type.
:Oghst said:i find chopsticks pace the meal in a much more satisfying way than big ol clunky cutlery.
i also recently discovered that one of these:
is as essential to fish n chips as chopsticks are to a bowl of ramen. they've always been a fixture of necessity when eating out of a lap full of newspaper on a windy pier, but even if i'm eating at home off of a plate, this simple device somehow frames the whole experience in a uniquely pleasing way.
Fascinating. Now I want fish n chips :x
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
real answer:
what people have said about the fact that chopsticks tend to slow down a meal and really make you savor it is perhaps their most beneficial quality. when i'm by myself, if i'm using a fork, it's entirely too efficient--i cram down too much food too fast and i almost eat myself sick. that sounds awful, but when i don't have company to sit and have a discussion with and pace the proceedings, it's true.
chopsticks help alleviate this problem.
what people have said about the fact that chopsticks tend to slow down a meal and really make you savor it is perhaps their most beneficial quality. when i'm by myself, if i'm using a fork, it's entirely too efficient--i cram down too much food too fast and i almost eat myself sick. that sounds awful, but when i don't have company to sit and have a discussion with and pace the proceedings, it's true.
chopsticks help alleviate this problem.
Treefingers
Member
I disagree so much with this statement. Nothing better about them other than they look nicer.Dresden said:
Great King Bowser
Property of Kaz Harai
It's because a lot of Asian cultures eat 'communally' with dishes in the middle which people pick at. Much easier to do with chopsticks. Also easier to 'dish out' morsels to other people's bowls with chopsticks.
Spokker
Member
When you are talking about utensils at quick service restaurants whether you see wooden chopsticks or plastic forks might also depend on whether you are swimming knee-deep in wood or petroleum.
The environmentalists really hate those plastic forks, as evidenced from a search of "plastic fork petroleum." I don't see many complaints when I search "chopsticks wood."
The environmentalists really hate those plastic forks, as evidenced from a search of "plastic fork petroleum." I don't see many complaints when I search "chopsticks wood."
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
also, if a fly is buzzing around, you can catch him.
Treefingers
Member
Why should you?Spokker said:
TheKaeptain
Banned
I'm eating sushi with some right now.
You're not looking hard enough. http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/news/stories/forests/2010/chopsticks-trees/ You seem to have a "jump to conclusions" schtick going. Also, don't derail the thread.Spokker said:
schroddycat
Member
It's probably the best tool being used to eat... except when the food is on a plate.
CarbonatedFalcon
Member
sprsk said:
NO
I went to High School in Japan. Most people eat sushi with chopsticks even at Kaiten Zushi.kpop100 said:
Traditionally it used to be eaten with your hands, but it's changed it's status from being somewhat of a fast food to a cuisine that can be quite expensive depending on where you go. Very few young Japanese people use their hands to eat sushi other than stuff like Temaki.
Yes, but it depends on how well you can use them. It's much easier for me to pick up a bunch of salad with different vegetables than it is to get them all onto a fork. Lettuce especially can be annoying to pierce with a fork - chopsticks just offer more versatility when eating salads.
Affeinvasion
Member
All utensils are bullshit.
That's what your fingers are for...and napkins?!? Fuck that shit. That's why you have forearms and pants.
That's what your fingers are for...and napkins?!? Fuck that shit. That's why you have forearms and pants.
Spokker
Member
But that's the point. You have to look harder.numble said:
But the bigger point is that our tools and our traditions are often influenced by what resources we have laying around. It's a fascinating subject.
I mean, when you look at other differences, why America is the freeway capital of the world and Japan is the railroad capital of the world. That shit isn't preference and it isn't an accident. The same reasoning lies behind why some cultures use chopsticks and why others use forks and spoons. It's not just cultural, it's also practical.
A Pretty Panda
fuckin' called it, man
1. Chopsticks are not Western. Maybe if you search in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, you'll find more results. Environmentalists in China are not complaining about plastic forks because it is not a big issue.Spokker said:
2. Wooden chopsticks are biodegradable and made from a renewable resource. Plastic chopsticks are neither biodegradable or made from a renewable resource.
3. Stop derailing the thread.
Spokker
Member
I'm not criticizing chopsticks on environmental grounds. I'm pointing out that you can't find many complaints about them because they are not as harmful to the environment. I don't think I'll find more results if I search in Chinese, Japanese or Korean because chopsticks are better for the environment.numble said:
I am making the point that we are big into plastics in the US and that's probably because petroleum is more readily available and that's why we have plastic forks instead of wooden forks or chopsticks.
When I was a kid I always wanted to use chopsticks when we ate Asian foods. So I learned how and just kept using them. When I met my wife, she thought it was interesting and learned to use them as well. Now she always asks for chopsticks!
If you use chopsticks for a long time, they become second nature as do spoons and forks. I can eat rice just fine with chopsticks, but I do agree the spoon is a better utensil for foods like rice.
Actually, they are for eating.
If you use chopsticks for a long time, they become second nature as do spoons and forks. I can eat rice just fine with chopsticks, but I do agree the spoon is a better utensil for foods like rice.
xelios said:
Actually, they are for eating.
You get about 50x more results if you search for chopsticks environmentalism in Chinese (versus plastic fork petroleum). Mostly companies marketing environmentally friendly reusable plastic chopsticks. I think the campaign to push people away from wooden chopsticks is bigger than the one against plastic forks in the US. They've already done away with free plastic bags at most major stores in the big cities.Spokker said:
Petroleum usage between China and the US is about on par. You just need to use a lot more plastics (and denser ones at that) if you're going to make plastic chopsticks. Its at the point where wood is cheaper to make a usable pair of chopsticks, and plastic is more expensive. So much more expensive that reusable plastic chopsticks are promoted to be environmentally friendly in China.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Xeke said:
They function better in certain situations, yes.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I like how Koreans use chopsticks for most things... but they draw the line at rice and just eat it with a spoon for practical reasons.
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