A rant---"This irritates me...."

1

Rightwinger

on Sep 22, 2005

2

bakerstreet

on Sep 22, 2005

I use chopsticks. Honestly, there are times I use them at home, too. I know what you mean about them, and I have seen people who really thought it meant something about THEM. In reality, to me, they are just another utensil, like a salad fork or a grapefruit spoon. People were shocked to find that my little girl could use them naturally in Kindergarden. Mostly from eating so much sushi, lol.

The one thing I have noticed about them isn't so much how they are used, but the way in which you eat when you use them. Because of their strengths and weaknesses, you change the way you eat when you use them. People who really use them well experience the meal in the same way an oriental person would.

As for the asscrack thing, I think it is public indecency, and should be treated as the eyesore it is. People can bitch about my yard getting a bit to tall and some burocrat pins a note to my door. Thugs can walk around all day with their pants down around their thighs and it is "fashion." Bull, one act of anal-retentiveness deserves another.

3

Rightwinger

on Sep 22, 2005

People who really use them well experience the meal in the same way an oriental person would.

Hm...in what way? There's nothing wrong with experiencing another culture, and all. Also, what you eat with at home is another matter; I just think it looks...well, as I said....pretentious, when done in public. It's just me, though.

4

bakerstreet

on Sep 22, 2005

Well, how you get the food to your mouth with chopsticks is different than how it works with a fork. Try eating rice with chopsticks and you'll see. You won't see many Westerners pick up a bowl and hold it close to their mouths when they eat with a fork. Or try grabbing a bobbing bit of meat or vegetables from a pot of stew with fork. There's a lot more, "poke and pray" with a fork.

People who are accustomed to using chopsticks shift to that kind of eating style. The same with noodles. When you eat with a fork you have the luxury of using the side of if like a knife. With chopsticks you can't. There's a lot more "knife and spoon" in the design of a fork than there is in chopsticks.

It's hard to describe. With chopsticks I find myself more focused on the process of eating than I am when I just jab it with a fork and bring it to my mouth instinctively. It's more tactile, almost like eating with finger extensions.

That said, you aren't going to catch me dragging out a pair at KFC and digging into my mashed potatos, but I think it is neat in oriental restauarants or with oriental food.

5

dharmagrl

on Sep 22, 2005

Hey, I eat with chopsticks. Not to show off, just because...well, because I was raised doing it and it just feels natural.

6

drmiler

on Sep 23, 2005

Well, how you get the food to your mouth with chopsticks is different than how it works with a fork. Try eating rice with chopsticks and you'll see. You won't see many Westerners pick up a bowl and hold it close to their mouths when they eat with a fork. Or try grabbing a bobbing bit of meat or vegetables from a pot of stew with fork. There's a lot more, "poke and pray" with a fork.

People who are accustomed to using chopsticks shift to that kind of eating style. The same with noodles. When you eat with a fork you have the luxury of using the side of if like a knife. With chopsticks you can't. There's a lot more "knife and spoon" in the design of a fork than there is in chopsticks.

It's hard to describe. With chopsticks I find myself more focused on the process of eating than I am when I just jab it with a fork and bring it to my mouth instinctively. It's more tactile, almost like eating with finger extensions.

That said, you aren't going to catch me dragging out a pair at KFC and digging into my mashed potatos, but I think it is neat in oriental restauarants or with oriental food

I gotta agree with bakerstreet on this one. I was shown how to use them almost 25 years ago. And I can use them almost as well as any oriental person can. I use them because I like them.

7

Rightwinger

on Sep 23, 2005

Well, how you get the food to your mouth with chopsticks is different than how it works with a fork. Try eating rice with chopsticks and you'll see. You won't see many Westerners pick up a bowl and hold it close to their mouths when they eat with a fork. Or try grabbing a bobbing bit of meat or vegetables from a pot of stew with fork. There's a lot more, "poke and pray" with a fork.

People who are accustomed to using chopsticks shift to that kind of eating style. The same with noodles. When you eat with a fork you have the luxury of using the side of if like a knife. With chopsticks you can't. There's a lot more "knife and spoon" in the design of a fork than there is in chopsticks.

It's hard to describe. With chopsticks I find myself more focused on the process of eating than I am when I just jab it with a fork and bring it to my mouth instinctively. It's more tactile, almost like eating with finger extensions.

That said, you aren't going to catch me dragging out a pair at KFC and digging into my mashed potatos, but I think it is neat in oriental restauarants or with oriental food

Well put, but I dunno...it just annoys the crap out of me. Like I said, I don't really know why.

Hey, I eat with chopsticks. Not to show off, just because...well, because I was raised doing it and it just feels natural.

Well, see....you were raised that way. That makes it okay, then. (post #1, paragraph 3)

I gotta agree with bakerstreet on this one. I was shown how to use them almost 25 years ago. And I can use them almost as well as any oriental person can. I use them because I like them.

Man, drm! What is it with you? You used to side with me all the time! Where's my Iron City guy now?

You ready for the game Sunday? Gonna be a goody!

8

Zoomba

on Sep 23, 2005

For me, I was taught to use them when I was pretty little after my dad took a several week trip to China. I think it's just kinda fun to use a different utensil sometimes... it also changes the pace of a meal a lot, which can be nice.

9

Texas Wahine

on Sep 23, 2005

If it makes you feel any better, when I go to sushi places here (which are FULL of Japanese people!), I eat my sushi with my hands, in true, piggish American style.

Hehe.

10

drmiler

on Sep 24, 2005

Man, drm! What is it with you? You used to side with me all the time! Where's my Iron City guy now?

You ready for the game Sunday? Gonna be a goody!

Gonna be a heck of a game! Got my 12 pack of DosX's Amber in the fridge along with the required limes. As far as chopsticks go...... I have about 20 pr of nice laquered ones in the closet right next to my hand hammered wok. Close at hand are my 4 rice bowls and my chinese tea set. I do a lot of chinese cooking at home. That is actually got me started with chopsticks. I messed with them for about 4-5 years before I had a friend of mine (chinese descent) show me how to use them right!

11

Rightwinger

on Sep 24, 2005

Gonna be a heck of a game!

I have a good friend who's a BIG Pats fan has a big screen TV.
Guess where I'm going tomorrow?

With my classic "12" Bradshaw jersey and "Myron Cope Official Terrible Towel" to wave in his face every time we score!
Of course, if we lose (perish the thought!), I'll have to use it to strangle him to shut him up.

12

Rightwinger

on Sep 24, 2005

Gonna be a heck of a game!

I have a good friend who's a BIG Pats fan and has a big screen TV.
Guess where I'm going tomorrow?

With my classic "12" Bradshaw jersey and "Myron Cope Official Terrible Towel" to wave in his face every time we score!
Of course, if we lose (perish the thought!), I'll have to use it to strangle him to shut him up.

13

Rightwinger

on Sep 24, 2005

Double post deleted.

Karma!

14

Spc Nobody Special

on Sep 24, 2005

I agree with ya on the buttcrack bit, but honestly, I prefer chopsticks.

I started using them a few years ago when I learned korean for the army, and it was a pain in the butt at first, but now I almost prefer them to silverware. {shrug} If it erks ya though, it erks ya. (although I have noticed that the people it most annoys, are people that tried, but never learned to use them. Try it again sometime, it's fun.)

15

kingbee

on Sep 24, 2005

, I wouldn't want my crack all clogged up with exhaust fumes

complain to the designer.