Chopsticks
The humble chopsticks to me is the most renown emblem of the Chinese to the world. Everywhere there are chinese, there are chopsticks and vice versa. Chopsticks were invented by the Chinese somewhere in 5000 BC. Of course the chopsticks were also used by other Asian countries but its invention and use originated first from the Chinese.
Using chopsticks is an art. The proper use of it requires practice and most Chinese children are taught how to use it from a young age. In some families, it is even considered a disgrace if one is not able to use the chopsticks dexterously.
The chopsticks is a master at multi-tasking. It is such a simple tool but has many uses. It can perform all the tasks that spoons, knives and forks do. It can be used to pick food up. It can be used for cooking. In modern times, it can even be used to hold the hair in place in a certain style. In addition, put two pairs of chopsticks crisscross in a wok and it can be used for steaming.
I am proud of the humble chopsticks and that such a brilliant invention came from my ancestors. The chopsticks are such a typical Chinese invention in my opinion. The Chinese like to create something simple but that has many uses. I feel a sense of pride everytime I use the chopsticks and there is a sense of belonging and comfort in sitting around a table where everyone is using chopsticks be it with friends or family. I also secretly mock at ang mohs who try to use the chopsticks but use it in a very ugly manner. On the other hand, I admire those ang mohs who can use it well.
I think every Chinese should be proud of this invention and should be able to use it well. I cringe slightly when I see grown Chinese unable to handle the chopsticks. It's ok if they are children, but grown adults have no excuse.
Chopsticks are gentle tools. It came out of the teaching of Confucius who abhorred the use of knives at the dinner table as he found it too babaric and uncouth. For more on the history of chopsticks, Click here. It's not a very good website but I guess you can get the general information from there.
By the way, does anyone know why the Chinese called it kuai zi? As in, how did the name originate?
Using chopsticks is an art. The proper use of it requires practice and most Chinese children are taught how to use it from a young age. In some families, it is even considered a disgrace if one is not able to use the chopsticks dexterously.
The chopsticks is a master at multi-tasking. It is such a simple tool but has many uses. It can perform all the tasks that spoons, knives and forks do. It can be used to pick food up. It can be used for cooking. In modern times, it can even be used to hold the hair in place in a certain style. In addition, put two pairs of chopsticks crisscross in a wok and it can be used for steaming.
I am proud of the humble chopsticks and that such a brilliant invention came from my ancestors. The chopsticks are such a typical Chinese invention in my opinion. The Chinese like to create something simple but that has many uses. I feel a sense of pride everytime I use the chopsticks and there is a sense of belonging and comfort in sitting around a table where everyone is using chopsticks be it with friends or family. I also secretly mock at ang mohs who try to use the chopsticks but use it in a very ugly manner. On the other hand, I admire those ang mohs who can use it well.
I think every Chinese should be proud of this invention and should be able to use it well. I cringe slightly when I see grown Chinese unable to handle the chopsticks. It's ok if they are children, but grown adults have no excuse.
Chopsticks are gentle tools. It came out of the teaching of Confucius who abhorred the use of knives at the dinner table as he found it too babaric and uncouth. For more on the history of chopsticks, Click here. It's not a very good website but I guess you can get the general information from there.
By the way, does anyone know why the Chinese called it kuai zi? As in, how did the name originate?