How to Eat with Chopsticks
Pick up the first chopstick and place it between your middle finger and the base of your thumb., Grip the second chopstick with your index finger and thumb., Practice opening and closing the chopsticks., Start picking up food!
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Pick up the first chopstick and place it between your middle finger and the base of your thumb.
This one is your anchor
-- it should not move.
Stiffen your hand for a firm grip.
Have the broad end of the chopstick lay in the crook of your hand, where your thumb and pointer finger connect.
Rest the narrow end between the base of your thumb and the side of your index finger.
It should be virtually immobile.
It's similar to how you hold a pen, but a bit lower.
Some may prefer to hold the chopstick on the side of their ring finger, with the tip of their ring finger holding it in place.
This frees the middle finger to hold the other chopstick more securely and provides that one with more control.
It is a more formal approach. -
Step 2: Grip the second chopstick with your index finger and thumb.
This is the stick that moves.
Place your thumb over the side of the second chopstick, so it rests above the first.
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. /images/thumb/e/e0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg/v4-550px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg /images/thumb/e/e0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg/v4-300px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg To get them even, you can tap them on the table.
Uneven chopsticks will be very difficult to use. , Make sure the broad ends of the chopsticks do not make an "X" as this will make it difficult to pick up food.
Is only the top one moving? Great! /images/thumb/f/f0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg/v4-550px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg /images/thumb/f/f0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg/v4-300px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg If it helps, move your hand up and down the chopsticks, but maintaining the same position, experimenting with levels of grip.
Some find it easier to maneuver closer to the base, others further up. , Working from a 45° angle may be easiest right now.
Once you have it steady, lift 'er up.
If it feels unstable, put it down and try again. /images/thumb/9/93/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg/v4-550px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg /images/thumb/9/93/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg/v4-300px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg Once you get good at one type of food, move onto different sizes and textures.
When you start feeling really confident, practice with noodles! -
Step 3: Practice opening and closing the chopsticks.
-
Step 4: Start picking up food!
Detailed Guide
This one is your anchor
-- it should not move.
Stiffen your hand for a firm grip.
Have the broad end of the chopstick lay in the crook of your hand, where your thumb and pointer finger connect.
Rest the narrow end between the base of your thumb and the side of your index finger.
It should be virtually immobile.
It's similar to how you hold a pen, but a bit lower.
Some may prefer to hold the chopstick on the side of their ring finger, with the tip of their ring finger holding it in place.
This frees the middle finger to hold the other chopstick more securely and provides that one with more control.
It is a more formal approach.
This is the stick that moves.
Place your thumb over the side of the second chopstick, so it rests above the first.
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. /images/thumb/e/e0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg/v4-550px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg /images/thumb/e/e0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg/v4-300px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-2-preview.jpg To get them even, you can tap them on the table.
Uneven chopsticks will be very difficult to use. , Make sure the broad ends of the chopsticks do not make an "X" as this will make it difficult to pick up food.
Is only the top one moving? Great! /images/thumb/f/f0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg/v4-550px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg /images/thumb/f/f0/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg/v4-300px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-3-preview.jpg If it helps, move your hand up and down the chopsticks, but maintaining the same position, experimenting with levels of grip.
Some find it easier to maneuver closer to the base, others further up. , Working from a 45° angle may be easiest right now.
Once you have it steady, lift 'er up.
If it feels unstable, put it down and try again. /images/thumb/9/93/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg/v4-550px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg /images/thumb/9/93/Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg/v4-300px-Eat-with-Chopsticks-Step-4-preview.jpg Once you get good at one type of food, move onto different sizes and textures.
When you start feeling really confident, practice with noodles!
About the Author
Patricia Davis
Enthusiastic about teaching crafts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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