Chopsticks: show us the oriental wisdom

A pair of chopsticks can always show us the oriental wisdom. The knowledge of chopsticks is a unique culture of China. It symbolizes the ancient and centuries-old Chinese culture also contains the five thousand-year history of Chinese ethnic people. Chopsticks were called "zhu" in ancient times. Some western scholars give high praise to chopsticks and say that there the representatives of Chinese culture and essence of Chinese wisdom. How to Eat With Chopsticks?Chopsticks are the main eating utensil in China. Watching others using chopsticks can make it look so easy, but when you try it, you may end up asking for a fork and a knife. Here's how to say goodbye to that fork for good and put those chopsticks to work.

1. Pick up the first chopstick with the middle finger and thumb. Stiffen your hand for a firm grip. Have the broad end of the chopstick lay on the part where your thumb and index finger connect. Rest the narrow end on the tip of your ring finger, and hold it in place with the tip of your middle finger. (Hint: try holding it the way you hold a pen to write. It might rest on your ring finger or your middle finger, held in place by your index finger. Place the chopstick then lift your index finger so it can hold the second chopstick.)

2. Grip the second chopstick with your index finger. Place your thumb over the second chopstick. Adjust your grip to a more comfortable position. Make sure the narrow tips of the chopsticks are even with each other to help prevent them from crossing or being unable to "pinch" the food.

3. Hold it steady. This chopstick should not move when you attempt to pick up food. Alternatively, hold the first chopstick steady and move the second (top) chopstick by moving the tip of your index finger up and down while the thumb remains relatively steady, acting like a pivot point. The top chopstick remains pressed to the index finger from the tip through the first joint. The movement comes from flexing the joint closest to the knuckle. Straightening your index finger opens the chopsticks and bending it closes them, with perhaps a slight flexing of the thumb to keep the chopsticks lined up with each other. (Note: this alternative is different from the photos in how the top chopstick is held. The movement comes from the top chopstick, not the bottom one, so the top chopstick is held so that it can be moved easily. Use the method that is comfortable for you.)

4. Practice opening and closing the chopsticks. Make sure the broad ends of the chopsticks do not make an "X" as this will make it difficult to pick up food.