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Friday, November 27, 2009

Using Chopsticks or Not

While reading thru articles on toddler development on the Parenting magazine website, I came across this topic "Teach Your Child to Use Chopsticks"

I started thinking...should I teach Daniel how to use chop sticks? I want him to have good table manners for his Asian friends. But I admit I never really learned how to use them. If I'm forced to I can manage but all my Asian friends know to have a fork handy if they invite me for a meal. LOL

But what about Daniel...should this be another "culture" thing to teach him? Well my answer is not really. While Koreans do use chop sticks it's not in the same way as other Asians. While China and Japan use wooden chopsticks, Koreans use iron chopsticks. Also, Koreans have some different chopsticks etiquette
  • Koreans consider it uncultured and rude to eat rice with chopsticks by picking up the rice bowl and bringing it closer to one's mouth. Dishes are to be left on the table and a spoon and chopsticks used accordingly.
  • When laying chopsticks down on the table next to a spoon, one must never put the chopsticks to the left of the spoon. Chopsticks are only laid to the left for deceased family members.
  • - Chopsticks, From Wikipedia
Besides chopstick Koreans use a spoon while eating. I for one love that fact! Really I think it's more important to get the food where it needs to go...in my tummy! So since the use of a spoon is something Daniel is already learning, I don't feel the need to add extra eat tools just yet. It's hard enough teaching him to get most of the food into his mouth instead of on the floor...or on me

4 comments:

Anonymous
at: November 27, 2009 at 3:17 PM said...

I'm a person of asian origin & i can't use chopsticks to save my life. I agree with you on it not being necessary. If you're @ an asian restaurant or house,you can always ask for a fork or spoon. Nothing wrong with that!

Mocha Dad says:
at: November 27, 2009 at 6:12 PM said...

I like to use chopsticks and I've taught my 6-year-old son how to use them.

Quiskaeya says:
at: November 30, 2009 at 6:37 PM said...

How interesting. I love learning about different cultural traditions. Mostly because I'm nosey (LOL) and because it neat to see how people think. I hear you about trying to teach the toddler how to get the food in the tummy and not on Mommy. Ugh!

Anonymous
at: November 30, 2009 at 7:11 PM said...

Chopsticks! Yay! We love chopsticks in our house. Well, let me rephrase that. My husband can't use them to save his life. The kids and I are pros. LOL
I grew up in Hawaii where most children learned to use chopsticks early on. I can't wait to teach my 8 month old to use chopsticks when she's ready.:)
Great post! Thanks for stopping by my blog again. I love having you over. Come by anytime. :)

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