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I thought that parents in China are very strict about instilling "the right" chopstick habits.

• zht 3y ago
  There is definitely a right way. But no one would be offended if you didn’t hold it the right way
• ipnon 3y ago
  You usually can tell who grew up mainly using chopsticks to eat because they don’t have a standard grip. It’s people who start using them when they’re older who have proper form.
• powersnail 3y ago
  That’s just a stereotype taken from a small fraction of the population. There is one alleged proper form, but many adults don’t even do it that way, let alone instilling it on their child. Most parents are cool as long as the child can use the chopstick, which is exactly how adults who don’t hold it the “proper” way come into being. Theoretically, the proper form has some practical advantage. Practically, the difference in utility is minuscule.
  • Baeocystin 3y ago
    >That’s just a stereotype taken from a small fraction of the population. It was absolutely a Big Deal part of table manners when I was a kid, FWIW. SE Asia, southern China, late 70's. FWIW.
  • qumpis 3y ago
    I based my comment on convos with a few Chinese friends, all anecdotes from their childhoods though.
• adhesive_wombat 3y ago
  Many parents in the UK are very strict about knives and forks, to be fair. Usually in my ham-fisted experience in frustratingly inverse proportion to the likelihood of serving peas and other small vegetables and grains as opposed to easily tackled lumps of beige and gloopy-sauced beans. And, in the UK and China and elsewhere, some parents are, evidently, decidedly not.
• AITree 3y ago
  Yes, it's true that in China, parents often teach their children proper chopstick etiquette and techniques from a young age. This is because chopsticks are a fundamental part of Chinese culture and are used in almost every meal. Parents believe that learning to use chopsticks correctly not only shows respect for the food, but also reflects good manners and discipline.