In article >,
says...
>
> notbob wrote:
> > On 2009-01-20, jmcquown > wrote:
> >
> >> MCNL. I know how to use chopsticks but why bother?
> >
> > More practical application of hand/mind coordination than video games.
> > Keeps the mind active. Easier than calculus.
> >
> > nb
>
> Slows the shoveling of food in to a more pleasurable pace.


Yes indeed. You really can't load up chopsticks as you can a fork.

jmcquown wrote:

>
> Sorry, but I don't find them efficient and I know how to use them.
> But then again I'm ****ed off at the entire world right now.

Ah.

But take heart, chopsticks are not the 'entire world' - but I have to
admit, it's a pretty good start. <g>
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

In article >,
says...
>
> On 2009-01-20, ChattyCathy > wrote:
>
> > Dunno. Maybe those 1.something billion
> > Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Thai/Vietnamese/Indonesian etc. folks who use
> > them every day might be able to tell you why they bother...
>
> OTOH, I've read that in Japan, using chopsticks is a dying skill and getting
> kids to bother with them is a real problem.
>
> nb


Japan is facing an interesting future. It's rate of population refresh
is lower than its death rate.

jmcquown wrote:


> But then again I'm ****ed off at the entire world right now.

What, even me? Inconceivable!




Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

jmcquown > wrote:

>"ChattyCathy" > wrote in message

>> I don't think they're trying to impress anyone. IMHO, folks of
>> Chinese/Asian decent (anywhere in the world) use chopsticks because
>> they find that it is the best and/or nicest way to eat the foods
>> they 'grew up with'. And IME, many folks who are not of Chinese/Asian
>> decent have also discovered that chopsticks can be pretty efficient
>> and/or nice to use too.

>Sorry, but I don't find them efficient and I know how to use them. But then
>again I'm ****ed off at the entire world right now.

Yikes. I hope this situation improves.

Steve

In article >,
says...
>
> "ChattyCathy" > wrote in message
> ...
> > jmcquown wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> MCNL. I know how to use chopsticks but why bother?
> >>
> >> Jill
> >
> > Dunno. Maybe those 1.something billion
> > Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Thai/Vietnamese/Indonesian etc. folks who use
> > them every day might be able to tell you why they bother...
> > --
> > Cheers
> > Chatty Cathy
>
>
>
> Maybe the ones who eat nothing but rice and dim sum and
> Chinese/Koren/Japanese/Thai,/Vietnames/Indondesian will tell you why they
> bother If in the USA it's to impress. I don't know who they're trying
> to impress.
>
> Jill

We have an awesome Chinese restaurant right around the corner from us.
It's called Phoeenix Dragon. It's a little tucked in off Broadway in
Providence, RI.

You can get chopsticks or a fork/knife shoudl you wish. They actually
ask you.

I think the biggest selling point of the place is that a lot of Chinese
actually eat their meals at that restuarant so it must be close to what
they got in Taiwan or China propper.

On Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:04:45 -0500, T wrote:

> In article >, says...
>>
>> Andy said...
>>
>> > James Silverton said...
>> >
>> >> Omelet wrote on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:13:47 -0600:
>> >>
>> >>>> On 19-Jan-2009, Andy > wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>> >> Andy <--- The "Can I have a fork" all thumbs guy Voter #21
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I'm with you on the "Can I have a fork"; though, perhaps, I have
>> >>>> fewer thumbs. I've just never understood the "charm" of
>> >>>> chopsticks; sure, if I lived in a place and culture that had only
>> >>>> chopsticks, I'm sure I'd use them competently. But, I have all
>> >>>> kinds of better suited utensils available to me; why would I
>> >>>> choose choose chopsticks instead of a fork or spoon.
>> >>
>> >>> Because they are fun. :-)
>> >>
>> >>> YMMV as always...
>> >>
>> >> Just to stoke things up again :-) It's easier to eat spaghetti with
>> >> chopsticks than with a fork.
>> >
>> >
>> > JAMES!!!
>> >
>> > When I tried my first bowl of pho, if the waiter hadn't kindly
>> > offered me a fork, I might've been there for a month of Sundays
>> > finishing the bowlful.
>> >
>> > Therefore I can safely declare your claim FALSE.
>> >
>> > Andy
>>
>>
>> I DID use the Asian (? ceramic) soup spoon for the soup portion of the
>> dish. Chopsticks would've been an evil joke in that respect in ANY
>> population!!! Although I would be entirely capable of tipping the bowl
>> and sipping it up! Maybe not in public!?
>>
>> Andy
>
>
> I can handle chopsticks no problem. But I learned long ago that it isn't
> impolite in Japanese and Asian cultures in general to lift a soup bowl
> to your mouth, or to use chopsticks to scrape rice out of a bowl and
> into your mouth.

O, no?? I'll have to change my habits with chopsticks, then.

--
Groet, salut, Wim.

In article > ,
T > wrote:

> In article >,
> says...
> >
> > notbob wrote:
> > > On 2009-01-20, jmcquown > wrote:
> > >
> > >> MCNL. I know how to use chopsticks but why bother?
> > >
> > > More practical application of hand/mind coordination than video games.
> > > Keeps the mind active. Easier than calculus.
> > >
> > > nb
> >
> > Slows the shoveling of food in to a more pleasurable pace.
>
>
> Yes indeed. You really can't load up chopsticks as you can a fork.

You haven't seen Mervin eat! He loads up his rice bowl with rice and
then other stuff, holds the bowl up to his mouth, and starts shoveling.
He can put down a lot of food in a short time.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

In article > ,
T > wrote:


> We have an awesome Chinese restaurant right around the corner from us.
> It's called Phoeenix Dragon. It's a little tucked in off Broadway in
> Providence, RI.
>
> You can get chopsticks or a fork/knife shoudl you wish. They actually
> ask you.
>
> I think the biggest selling point of the place is that a lot of Chinese
> actually eat their meals at that restuarant so it must be close to what
> they got in Taiwan or China propper.

You *are* aware that many of these restaurants have a different menu
depending on your race? And it's not that one is in a different
language, it actually has different food items.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

rosie > wrote:

> We went to Lamberts- uh oh, I thought more Bar B que.. But the menu
> was more extensive than I had imagined. I was turned off by "Local
> Rabbit Pate" Visualizing some of my critters. Finall decided on Rib
> Eye. It turned out to be the best I have ever had. Sounds very
> strange, at least to me, but was cooked perfectly, medium rare, and on
> top was a mixture of brown sugar and mustard. it made a cruispy
> coating. OMYGAWD
>
> Have you eaten there? I would like to try some other things on the
> menu, everything was a la carte, and the sides( only tasted) were
> cooked perfectly.

I haven't eaten there yet. But I go past it twice a day, if that
counts!

Considering how meat-centric the place is, I'll probably go there
soon.

-sw

notbob > wrote:

> On 2009-01-20, Sqwertz > wrote:
>
>> What were they thinking?
>
> A spoon that doesn't dribble soup down your chin. I use nothing but a Asian
> spoon for soups.

I have the opposite experience. Chinese spoons are a PITA to use.
Regular spoons you fit the whole thing in your mouth and not worry
about anything flopping out at odd angles.

-sw

On 2009-01-21, Sqwertz > wrote:


> Regular spoons you fit the whole thing in your mouth and not worry
> about anything flopping out at odd angles.

Yeah, but compared to an Asian spoon's load of Frosted Mini
Spooners (with milk), regular spoons are positively anemic.

nb

In article <dabel-8B9F8A.15565920012009@c-61-68-245-
199.per.connect.net.au>, says...
>
> In article > ,
> T > wrote:
>
>
> > We have an awesome Chinese restaurant right around the corner from us.
> > It's called Phoeenix Dragon. It's a little tucked in off Broadway in
> > Providence, RI.
> >
> > You can get chopsticks or a fork/knife shoudl you wish. They actually
> > ask you.
> >
> > I think the biggest selling point of the place is that a lot of Chinese
> > actually eat their meals at that restuarant so it must be close to what
> > they got in Taiwan or China propper.
>
> You *are* aware that many of these restaurants have a different menu
> depending on your race? And it's not that one is in a different
> language, it actually has different food items.

Yes fully aware. The menu does seem rather large though so I suspect
they just list it all in there for convenience.

T wrote on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:55:26 -0500:

> In article <dabel-8B9F8A.15565920012009@c-61-68-245-
> 199.per.connect.net.au>, says...
>>
>> In article
>> > , T
>> > wrote:
>>
> >> We have an awesome Chinese restaurant right around the
> >> corner from us. It's called Phoeenix Dragon. It's a little
> >> tucked in off Broadway in Providence, RI.
> >>
> >> You can get chopsticks or a fork/knife shoudl you wish.
> >> They actually ask you.
> >>
> >> I think the biggest selling point of the place is that a
> >> lot of Chinese actually eat their meals at that restuarant
> >> so it must be close to what they got in Taiwan or China
> >> propper.
>>
>> You *are* aware that many of these restaurants have a
>> different menu depending on your race? And it's not that one
>> is in a different language, it actually has different food
>> items.

That's not always the case and food critics around here are usually
aware of the cases where there is a "Chinese" menu. However, there are
foods that it is probably useless to offer to a western customer like
sea cucumber.


--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Jan 20, 8:45�pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> rosie > wrote:
> > We went to Lamberts- uh oh, I thought more Bar B que.. But the menu
> > was more extensive than I had imagined. I was turned off by "Local
> > Rabbit Pate" Visualizing some of my critters. Finall decided on Rib
> > Eye. It turned out to be the best I have ever had. Sounds very
> > strange, at least to me, but was cooked perfectly, medium rare, and on
> > top was a mixture of brown sugar and mustard. �it made a cruispy
> > coating. OMYGAWD
>
> > �Have you eaten there? I would like to try some other things on the
> > menu, everything was a la carte, and the sides( only tasted) were
> > cooked perfectly.
>
> I haven't eaten there yet. �But I go past it twice a day, if that
> counts!
>
> Considering how meat-centric the place is, I'll probably go there
> soon.
>
> -sw

Give it a try, Steve, and let me know what you think of that rib eye,
I am ready to go back and have another one. It was just TOO good.

Rosie

On Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:36:27 GMT, notbob wrote:

> On 2009-01-20, ChattyCathy > wrote:
>
>> Dunno. Maybe those 1.something billion
>> Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Thai/Vietnamese/Indonesian etc. folks who use
>> them every day might be able to tell you why they bother...
>
> OTOH, I've read that in Japan, using chopsticks is a dying skill and getting
> kids to bother with them is a real problem.
>
> nb

the emperor will not be pleased.

your pal,
blake

On Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:34:30 GMT, notbob wrote:

> On 2009-01-20, James Silverton > wrote:
>
>> That's really interesting! Do you know of a video that shows the
>> scissors technique, especially in slow motion? I can't really go and
>> stare at oriental people in restaurants, especially with my poor
>> eyesight :-) The triangle method that I know is the one that seems to
>> appear in all the online videos about learning to use chopsticks.. You
>> are even cautioned *not* to cross the sticks in videos that I have seen.
>
> I first noticed this scissors technique from my more-geezer-than-me friend,
> the one with the Japanese wife I've referred to so much, lately. He's a
> native Oklahoman who now uses chopsticks almost exclusively, proof old dogs
> can learn new tricks. While eating at his bento place, I noticed he used
> this scissors technique. Later, when I went to pho places, I noticed all
> the oldtimers were using the same technique. I've never mastered it myself
> and have seen no online videos showing the fine points, but it's something I
> aspire to.
>
> I remember when I first learned to used chopsticks. It took all four
> fingers and my thumb to control the dang things. Eventually I went to 3,
> then 2 fingers, and finally to only one finger to pinch/control the top
> stick. Then, seeing my friend so casually wield his sticks in such a
> relaxed fashion with only his thumb and index finger again made me feel
> clumsey and stupid. Another crusher is trying to use cooking chopsticks,
> which are anywhere from 10-18" long. Makes your wonder if you'll ever have
> the strength in your hand to pull it off or if only ppl raised using them
> from childhood will truly master them.
>
> nb

i use one chopstick between forefinger and thumb, one between middle and
ring finger. the first is mostly stationary, and the second moves. it
does tire the hand, though. i can use the 'correct' technique, but with
less control.

but, like james, i'm having trouble visualizing the scissors method.

your pal,
blake

On 2009-01-20, James Silverton > wrote:

> unknown. At home of course and in most pho restaurants that I know,
> chopsticks are washable and lacquered or solid.

The chopsticks subject is really complex and a quite fascinating. Different
cultures use different styles of sticks. Early on, I bought expensive
Japanese plastic chopsticks. Squarish at the thick end, round at the
bottom. They actually had small half round craters, much like a golfball,
in the round food-grabbing end to provide texture for gripping food. This
cracked me up as I later discovered that same tip/texture would have been
better suited to my unexperienced fingers. Cheap disposable chopsticks are
actually better for newbies as they have that rough tractable texture so
helpful for control.

The bottom line, chopsticks evolved to be an extension of one's fingers, the
ultimate eating tool. The concept is brilliant.

nb

James Silverton wrote:
>
> T wrote on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:55:26 -0500:
>

> > >>
> > >> I think the biggest selling point of the place is that a
> > >> lot of Chinese actually eat their meals at that restuarant
> > >> so it must be close to what they got in Taiwan or China
> > >> propper.
> >>
> >> You *are* aware that many of these restaurants have a
> >> different menu depending on your race? And it's not that one
> >> is in a different language, it actually has different food
> >> items.
>
> That's not always the case and food critics around here are usually
> aware of the cases where there is a "Chinese" menu. However, there are
> foods that it is probably useless to offer to a western customer like
> sea cucumber.
>


Hey I've eaten sea cucumber, duck webs etc! Why not?
Most of the Chinese places I frequented in London would have
Chinese-language 'specials' pasted or chalked up somewhere. Easy enough
to point to one with familiar characters and ask for that one. Nearly
always got asked 'are you certain?' but always got what was ordered. My
favourite place never had a real menu at all. What was on offer that
meal was visible in the window.
One manager looked over at me (after the server questioned my order),
recognised me and told the server to bring what I ordered

In any good Chinese (or other ethnic) restaurant, there are *always* a
separate menu with things not served to the 'foreigners'. Unless one is
a regular patron, that might not be evident.

ChattyCathy said...

> http://www.recfoodcooking.com
>
> Thanks go to Andy for this survey...


Hi Cathy and 2D Jack!

Chopsticks... a great survey response, I think.

Almost broke the 100 voter mark!!!

{{{Cathy}}} {pat on the back to 2D Jack}

Best,

Andy
The BESTEST BUM!!! in Pennsylvania

Andy wrote:

> ChattyCathy said...
>
>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com
>>
>> Thanks go to Andy for this survey...
>
>
> Hi Cathy and 2D Jack!
>
> Chopsticks... a great survey response, I think.
>
> Almost broke the 100 voter mark!!!
>
> {{{Cathy}}} {pat on the back to 2D Jack}
>
> Best,
>
> Andy
> The BESTEST BUM!!! in Pennsylvania

Thanks Andy. Please keep the ideas coming, because as I am sure you know
by now, they're always welcome.
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

ChattyCathy said...

> Andy wrote:
>
>> ChattyCathy said...
>>
>>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com
>>>
>>> Thanks go to Andy for this survey...
>>
>>
>> Hi Cathy and 2D Jack!
>>
>> Chopsticks... a great survey response, I think.
>>
>> Almost broke the 100 voter mark!!!
>>
>> {{{Cathy}}} {pat on the back to 2D Jack}
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Andy
>> The BESTEST BUM!!! in Pennsylvania
>
> Thanks Andy. Please keep the ideas coming, because as I am sure you know
> by now, they're always welcome.


Cathy,

You're welcome!

I feel a butter/margerine survey coming on!

Best,

Andy

Andy wrote on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:27:19 +0000 (UTC):

>> Andy wrote:
>>
>>> ChattyCathy said...
>>>
>>>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com
>>>>
>>>> Thanks go to Andy for this survey...
>>>
>>> Hi Cathy and 2D Jack!
>>>
>>> Chopsticks... a great survey response, I think.
>>>
>>> Almost broke the 100 voter mark!!!
>>>
>>> {{{Cathy}}} {pat on the back to 2D Jack}
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Andy
>>> The BESTEST BUM!!! in Pennsylvania
>>
>> Thanks Andy. Please keep the ideas coming, because as I am
>> sure you know by now, they're always welcome.


I haven't counted the responses in this thread, especially since I have
filters, but the number must be approaching a record too. I think the
number of times I have posted is a personal record tho' I am nothing
like as prolific as many others.
--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

In article >, Andy > wrote:

> ChattyCathy said...
>
> > http://www.recfoodcooking.com
> >
> > Thanks go to Andy for this survey...
>
>
> Hi Cathy and 2D Jack!
>
> Chopsticks... a great survey response, I think.
>
> Almost broke the 100 voter mark!!!
>
> {{{Cathy}}} {pat on the back to 2D Jack}
>
> Best,
>
> Andy
> The BESTEST BUM!!! in Pennsylvania

My my... I came in third this time. ;-)
--
Peace! Om

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once." -- Anonymous

James Silverton wrote:

>
> I haven't counted the responses in this thread, especially since I
> have filters, but the number must be approaching a record too. I think
> the number of times I have posted is a personal record tho' I am
> nothing like as prolific as many others.

I found the topic extremely interesting... I did some research (a.k.a.
googling) on the history and different types of chopsticks available -
I was amazed.

Well done to Andy! ;-)
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

ChattyCathy said...

> James Silverton wrote:
>
>>
>> I haven't counted the responses in this thread, especially since I
>> have filters, but the number must be approaching a record too. I think
>> the number of times I have posted is a personal record tho' I am
>> nothing like as prolific as many others.
>
> I found the topic extremely interesting... I did some research (a.k.a.
> googling) on the history and different types of chopsticks available -
> I was amazed.
>
> Well done to Andy! ;-)


Thanks to the membership for coming out and voting!!!

Andy
[bow]

I enhoy using chopsticks. It makes me eat more slowly, for one thing.
Plus...it's kind of an adventure.

Insisting upon eating ethnic food other than the way the Culture eats
it...is a little insulting, isnt it?

Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply, "YOUR way isnt good
enough for ME."

I read Tarot in a Morrocan restaurant for a while and often got to share
the meal provided for the wait-staff. It was pretty cool. Typically,
the food is on big platers and everybody reaches in (RIGHT HAND
ONLY!!!!), scoops up a bite....takes some getting used to, but really
kind of fun.

Lass

Lass Chance_2 wrote:

> I enhoy using chopsticks. It makes me eat more slowly, for one thing.
> Plus...it's kind of an adventure.
>
> Insisting upon eating ethnic food other than the way the Culture eats
> it...is a little insulting, isnt it?
>
> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
> flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply, "YOUR way isnt
> good enough for ME."
>
> I read Tarot in a Morrocan restaurant for a while and often got to
> share
> the meal provided for the wait-staff. It was pretty cool. Typically,
> the food is on big platers and everybody reaches in (RIGHT HAND
> ONLY!!!!), scoops up a bite....takes some getting used to, but really
> kind of fun.
>
> Lass

<purposely not snipped>

Well said Lass.
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

On 2009-01-22, ChattyCathy > wrote:
> Lass Chance_2 wrote:

>> Insisting upon eating ethnic food other than the way the Culture eats
>> it...is a little insulting, isnt it?

I don't think so. What if a person is too uncoodinated to use chopsticks?

>> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
>> flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply, "YOUR way isnt
>> good enough for ME."

It's merely personal choice. I may like your food, but don't
think I should have to bind my daughters feet to acknowledge it.


>> the food is on big platers and everybody reaches in (RIGHT HAND
>> ONLY!!!!), scoops up a bite....takes some getting used to, but really
>> kind of fun.

> Well said Lass.

I gotta disagree, CC. I don't wipe my ass with my bare hand, so why I gotta
restrict which hand I use. I recently saw an Chinese cook using a French
chef knife. Does that mean the meal wasn't Chinese food? Nonsense.

nb

notbob wrote:

> On 2009-01-22, ChattyCathy > wrote:
>> Lass Chance_2 wrote:
>
>>> Insisting upon eating ethnic food other than the way the Culture
>>> eats it...is a little insulting, isnt it?
>
> I don't think so. What if a person is too uncoodinated to use
> chopsticks?

I gotta disagree, nb. I think that if one grows up with using chopsticks
(just as millions of people grow up with using knives and forks) there
is a very slim chance that they will be too uncoordinated to use
them...
>
>>> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
>>> flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply, "YOUR way isnt
>>> good enough for ME."

>
> It's merely personal choice. I may like your food, but don't
> think I should have to bind my daughters feet to acknowledge it.
>
>

Don't think anybody is asking you to bind your daughters' feet while
eating their food...


>>> the food is on big platers and everybody reaches in (RIGHT HAND
>>> ONLY!!!!), scoops up a bite....takes some getting used to, but
>>> really kind of fun.
>
>> Well said Lass.
>
> I gotta disagree, CC. I don't wipe my ass with my bare hand, so why I
> gotta
> restrict which hand I use.

Cultural beliefs run deep, nb.

> I recently saw an Chinese cook using a
> French
> chef knife. Does that mean the meal wasn't Chinese food? Nonsense.
>

Not nonsense. Just personal choice, IMHO.

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

On 2009-01-22, ChattyCathy > wrote:

> Cultural beliefs run deep, nb.

Yes, and if I decide to eat in a Chinese restaurant serving Americans in
the US, it's damn rude to expect me to use chopsticks.

nb

Lass Chance_2 wrote:
> I enhoy using chopsticks. It makes me eat more slowly, for one thing.
> Plus...it's kind of an adventure.
>
> Insisting upon eating ethnic food other than the way the Culture eats
> it...is a little insulting, isnt it?
>
> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
> flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply, "YOUR way isnt good
> enough for ME."

I agree with everything you said. It shows respect for the culture of
the food you're enjoying.
I wonder who Jill thinks people are showing off to at those hole in the
wall eateries when they're using the chopsticks?

In article >,
notbob > wrote:

> On 2009-01-22, ChattyCathy > wrote:
>
> > Cultural beliefs run deep, nb.
>
> Yes, and if I decide to eat in a Chinese restaurant serving Americans in
> the US, it's damn rude to expect me to use chopsticks.

I don't like your choice of words. I don't think there is an "expect".
Perhaps they just didn't realize you needed a fork, or a shovel, or
whatever your chosen utensil is. They always bring me a fork when I
ask. I might possibly be much more offended if others at the table, and
other tables, were given chopsticks, but I was given a fork because of
my apparent race. 45% of the 94 people respondents to the rfc poll
checked the "I'm very good using them" box. My brother never learned to
use chopsticks as a child, but he is now very good at using them. He
never asks for a fork at a Chinese restaurant.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

notbob wrote on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:53:16 GMT:

>> Cultural beliefs run deep, nb.

> Yes, and if I decide to eat in a Chinese restaurant serving
> Americans inthe US, it's damn rude to expect me to use
> chopsticks.

Nothing rude about it at all. If you ask politely for a fork you should
get one. AYCE Chinese buffets usually give you the lot.
--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

Goomba wrote on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:41:28 -0500:

> Lass Chance_2 wrote:
>> I enhoy using chopsticks. It makes me eat more slowly, for
>> one thing. Plus...it's kind of an adventure. Insisting upon eating
>> ethnic food other than the way the
>> Culture eats it...is a little insulting, isnt it?
>>
>> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting
>> upon flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply,
>> "YOUR way isnt good enough for ME."

Come off it! Don't take it so seriously and don't be so PC. I'll admit
that being so conservative and stuck in a rut as not to try new things
and new ways is probably an early warning of senility.

About the only thing that gets me in Chinese and Japanese restaurants is
the common refusal to serve coffee. I like coffee after most meals; my
wife preferred tea. I can remember a snooty "French" restaurant in
London that said "Oh, we don't serve tea". We never returned or tipped.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

notbob wrote:

> On 2009-01-22, ChattyCathy > wrote:
>
>> Cultural beliefs run deep, nb.
>
> Yes, and if I decide to eat in a Chinese restaurant serving Americans
> in the US, it's damn rude to expect me to use chopsticks.
>
> nb

Thing is, if I go to a Chinese restaurant I expect to be offered
chopsticks to eat my food. It's all part of the whole dining
experience, IMO.

I can't speak for Chinese restaurants in the US, but the ones we have
here have no problem with giving one a fork and/or knife if one asks.
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Goomba wrote:
> Lass Chance_2 wrote:
>> I enhoy using chopsticks. It makes me eat more slowly, for one thing.
>> Plus...it's kind of an adventure.
>> Insisting upon eating ethnic food other than the way the Culture eats
>> it...is a little insulting, isnt it?
>>
>> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
>> flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply, "YOUR way isnt good
>> enough for ME."
>
> I agree with everything you said. It shows respect for the culture of
> the food you're enjoying.
> I wonder who Jill thinks people are showing off to at those hole in the
> wall eateries when they're using the chopsticks?


Oh pshaw. It has more to do with a person's comfort level, and I thought
that we were talking about Chinese restaurants over here. Heaven forbid
that paying customers have to worry about insulting a culture that the
proprietors left for greater opportunity. Call me old fashioned, but I
expect new arrivals to adapt to our ways, not us to all of them. It may
be different if we go over there and demand things the way we are used
to them at home.

Personally, I think it is a little strange to feel that you have to use
chopsticks just because you are eating Chinese food. We don't use them
for spaghetti or Irish stew. We don't expect to use a completely
different variety of eating utensils most other ethnic restaurants.

James Silverton wrote:

> About the only thing that gets me in Chinese and Japanese restaurants is
> the common refusal to serve coffee. I like coffee after most meals; my
> wife preferred tea. I can remember a snooty "French" restaurant in
> London that said "Oh, we don't serve tea". We never returned or tipped.
>
You stiffed the waitperson for what you felt was missing item on the menu?
Jeeez, that's pretty low.

James Silverton wrote:

> Come off it! Don't take it so seriously and don't be so PC. I'll admit
> that being so conservative and stuck in a rut as not to try new things
> and new ways is probably an early warning of senility.
>
> About the only thing that gets me in Chinese and Japanese restaurants is
> the common refusal to serve coffee. I like coffee after most meals; my
> wife preferred tea. I can remember a snooty "French" restaurant in
> London that said "Oh, we don't serve tea". We never returned or tipped.


I have no problem getting coffee is Chinese restaurant around here. It's
not usually very good, but it is coffee. I have only eaten in two
Japanese restaurants and IIRC they had coffee.

Never the less, I wouldn't take it out on the server if the restaurant's
owners don't have it. However, since it was in London they probably
don't expect much tipping anyway. And if I were in a big city like
London I probably wouldn't go back to the same restaurant again anyway,
not with so many others to try. I had some great meals in Paris, but
never even thought of going back to those places because there were so
many others. I can only think of one exception to that. When I was in
Copenhagen last summer we had checked out all the restaurants in Nyhaven
and settled on the one that had the most interesting lunch menu, and it
was an incredible meal. When we were in the same area at dinner time,
the same restaurant had the most interesting dinner choices, so we at
there again and had a great dinner. And they had great coffee :-)

Dave wrote on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:46:34 -0500:

> Goomba wrote:
>> Lass Chance_2 wrote:
>>> I enhoy using chopsticks. It makes me eat more slowly, for one
>>> thing. Plus...it's kind of an adventure. Insisting upon eating
>>> ethnic food other than the way the Culture
>>> eats it...is a little insulting, isnt it?
>>>
>>> Asking for a fork in an Ethiopian restaurant...or insisting upon
>>> flatware in a Chinese restaurant....seems to imply,
>>> "YOUR way isnt good enough for ME."
>>
>> I agree with everything you said. It shows respect for the
>> culture of the food you're enjoying. I wonder who Jill thinks
>> people are showing off to at those hole in the wall eateries when
>> they're using the chopsticks?

> Oh pshaw. It has more to do with a person's comfort level, and
> I thought that we were talking about Chinese restaurants over here.
> Heaven forbid that paying customers have to worry about insulting a
> culture that the proprietors left for greater
> opportunity. Call me old fashioned, but I expect new arrivals to adapt
> to our ways, not us to all of them. It may be
> different if we go over there and demand things the way we
> are used to them at home.

Based on Chinese supermarkets that I know, ethnic purity is not allowed
to stand in the way of profit. If Philippinos or Japanese come, their
needs will be met.


--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not