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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Chopsticks vs. Fork and Knife use in China
I have been in China long enough [5 years] to be as good with kuaizi [chopsticks] as just about any Chinese person
and thus no longer attract stares and snickers when I use them. However, when I see Chinese people using a fork
[and, god, forbid a knife] most of them are totally unable to eat properly. They use a fork like chopsticks, picking up a big piece of food and then just nibbling away at it or, just shoving the while piece into their mouths [such as a whole chicken wing] and then putting their mouths through contortions to separate the meat from the bones before spitting them out and onto the table.
Yet, with all this they still proudly proclaim how well they can use western utensils and we as foreigners are not allowed to also chuckle about their lack of ability. Chinese always feel free to address our 'foreign shortcomings' but they never do anything about their own. The answer is usually 'after all, we are Chinese'. I guess, they feel that this entitles them to do anything their way, even laughing at us lao wai for our feeble attempts to 'fit in'.
Enough ranting for today...
What's the question?
My wife switched to western utensils, despite having never used them prior to meeting me. She loves them! Meanwhile, I like to use nothing but chopsticks since they make me feel like a unique snowflake.
mArtiAn:
You are a unique snowflake, Hulk - resting on the petal of a rose.