Learn how not to use chopsticks and become a dining beauty
First, let's understand how to use chopsticks, which is considered taboo, and review our own manners.
・Chopsticks
Pulling the food towards you with chopsticks. Always put your chopsticks down before moving your dishes with both hands.・Chopsticks for passing
Place your chopsticks on the plate during a meal. When placing chopsticks, place them neatly on the chopstick rest. If you don't have a chopstick rest, fold up the chopstick bag and use it instead.・Chopsticks
Holding your dishes while holding your chopsticks. Many people do this when picking up soup dishes, but this is also bad manners. Always place your chopsticks on the chopstick rest before picking up your dishes.・Stacked chopsticks
Eating just one dish. It's tempting to just eat your favorite foods, but this can leave a bad impression on the cook and the people you're dining with. Try to eat a balanced diet.・Licking chopsticks
Licking the tips of chopsticks or putting them in your mouth. Some people do this unconsciously because it's a habit, but be careful as it can be uncomfortable for those sitting next to you.・Mayoi chopsticks
Unsure which dish to eat and moving your chopsticks around. Beautiful dining is also about being smart.・Chopsticks
To start eating a dish and then move on to another dish with your chopsticks. Once you have picked up a food with your chopsticks, make sure to finish eating it before eating the next thing.・Sashimi chopsticks
Sticking chopsticks into food. It gives the impression that you are not good at using chopsticks and are childish. Use the chopsticks' functions of holding, tearing, and cutting well, and adjust the size of the chopsticks to make it easier to eat.・Push-in chopsticks
To push something into your mouth with chopsticks. It's good to eat energetically, but pushing chopsticks together can give the impression of being too greedy and vulgar. Try to eat calmly.・Shokomi chopsticks
Eating by putting your mouth directly on the bowl and shoveling food into it with chopsticks. Like push-in chopsticks, this also gives off a vulgar impression.・Tear Chopsticks
Dripping soup from the tip of chopsticks. Not only does it leave a bad impression, but it can also stain the table and your clothes, so make sure to lift the dish or use a small plate to catch it.How to use chopsticks correctly
The old saying about how to use chopsticks is "50cm at the tip, at most 1 inch long," and it is considered basic to use the tip of the chopsticks 1.5 to 3cm away and eat without making too much mess. Nowadays, it is considered good to use chopsticks up to about 4cm away.
When picking up chopsticks, first pick them up with your right hand, then receive them with your left. This three-way movement, including changing to the correct grip with your right hand, is considered beautiful. You may sometimes see people pick up their chopsticks enthusiastically and say "Itadakimasu" (let's eat), then place them between both hands as if praying, but this is called "bow chopsticks" and is bad manners. Cheerfully asking for a refill while still holding the chopsticks is also called "ukebashi" and is bad manners.
When enjoying a meal, it's easy to be tempted to do these actions energetically, but be careful as people who value etiquette may see this as bad manners.
Special chopstick usage
Special chopsticks are used at funerals and when collecting remains.
Various customs and manners have been developed to prevent issues related to death and funerals from being brought into everyday life. At funerals, a method known as "sakasagoto" is used that is different from the usual method, in order to separate death, funerals, and everyday life. Since gestures that evoke death and funerals at mealtimes are considered taboo, remember that using chopsticks is basic etiquette.
