On 19 Apr 2007 13:24:16 -0700, Karen > magnanimously
proffered:

>Pondering the use of chopsticks in western society. Since forks,
>knives, spoons were invented, why do we still use chopsticks?
>
>Chopsticks are disposable, which impacts the environment and uses up
>trees.
>
>They're ancient.
>
>You can't cut up a piece of teriyaki chicken or a big piece of sushi
>with chopsticks. You can't scoop up the soup with a chopstick. You
>can't spear anything with a chopstick. It seems that modern utensils
>make more sense but we still use chopsticks.

Firstly, a piece of teriyaki chicken or sushi shouldn't be that big in
the first place, IMO. In any event, I've never had any trouble using
chopsticks with either.

Secondly, I usually eat Asian noodle soups using both chopsticks and a
porcelain spoon.

Last but not least, one certainly *can* spear things with a chopstick.
Especially something that is difficult to pick up with two chopsticks,
such as a whole cherry tomato, for example.

>And, some of us aren't very good at using them, either. (me) Is
>considered that eating with chopsticks tidier than eating with a knife
>and fork? It seems less tidy to me and some slurping and splattering
>occurs in the course of using chopsticks.

I nearly always eat my salads with chopsticks and put out sets of
chopsticks for guests when serving salad with an informal lunch or
dinner. Eating a salad with chopsticks makes major sense.

>Why aren't chopsticks being phased out? Why do we use chopsticks for
>certain types of food?
>
>Do they make food taste better? Is the slender chopstick able to place
>the food on the tongue in a location that may enhance the flavor?

Don't know. But I do know that using chopsticks with certain foods
makes eating them easier and more pleasurable. And I have several
different "personal" pairs that I use - some that are narrow
(Japanese) and some that are fatter and longer (Chinese). Depends on
what I'm using them for. But don't try cleaning your ears with one ...


>Just wondering.
>
>Karen