Ok, I'm pretty good with chopsticks. I can eat almost anything with
them. The only thing I would starve to death trying to eat would be
broth.

When I try to hold sushi sashimi with the meat side down to dip it
into my soy sauce, all I get is a mess when it falls from my grasp!

With the fingers, no problem. I understand that this is acceptable in
most places, but I would like to know how others can dip with the
sticks!

The chef loves to see me. He knows he will have an evening of
entertainment watching me trying to flip each bite. I think he's
selling tickets. The place always gets crowded *after* I get there.

How do you say "Aw shit" in Japanese?

Itsumokokokara wrote on Mon, 12 Dec 2005 17:46:22 -0500:

I> When I try to hold sushi sashimi with the meat side down to
I> dip it into my soy sauce, all I get is a mess when it falls
I> from my grasp!

I> With the fingers, no problem. I understand that this is
I> acceptable in most places, but I would like to know how
I> others can dip with the sticks!

I> The chef loves to see me. He knows he will have an evening
I> of entertainment watching me trying to flip each bite. I
I> think he's selling tickets. The place always gets crowded
I> *after* I get there.

I use my fingers usually but if you must use chopsticks, turn
the nigiri on its side, put a stick on each side and dip the
end. It's also possible to hold the stuff diagonally and again
don't dip the whole thing. Oh anyway!, what the hell let them
laugh!

James Silverton.

I was completely unable to use chopsticks two years ago. Then i
decided to learn by the "immersion method". I just forced myself to
use chopsticks for everything. Now I am totally adept with them, so
it's just practice. Fish is slippery and a bit more difficult.

James wrote to Itsumokokokara on Mon, 12 Dec 2005
18:05:12 -0500:

I>> When I try to hold sushi sashimi with the meat side down to
I>> dip it into my soy sauce, all I get is a mess when it falls


I just realized you mentioned sashimi! That's not a problem is
it? If you can use a pencil, you can use chopsticks! Grab the
fish firmly (if you are worried,shake it over the serving plate
to make sure you are holding it) and just dip one end. If you
are having trouble, drop it on the rice and pick it up again. I
don't pick up the rice until I have put soy sauce on the fish
anyway.

James Silverton.

wrote:
> I was completely unable to use chopsticks two years ago. Then i
> decided to learn by the "immersion method". I just forced myself to
> use chopsticks for everything. Now I am totally adept with them, so
> it's just practice. Fish is slippery and a bit more difficult.

Yes, you did well.. I remember when you wouldn't use chopsticks.

--
Dan

The only problem now, Dan, is that I have gone from one extreme to the
other, and now I don't like to use forks at all (barbaric and
unsanitary devices!), so I drag my little chopsticks along with me
wherever I go.

"I just realized you mentioned sashimi! That's not a problem is
it? If you can use a pencil, you can use chopsticks!"


It wasn't THAT easy, James. It took me longer to become adept at
chopsticking sashimi. The stuff is slippery!

A tip: When using chopsticks, keep your face close to the bowl like
Asian people do. Less of a perilous journey betwixt bowl and mouth
that way!

wrote:
> The only problem now, Dan, is that I have gone from one extreme to the
> other, and now I don't like to use forks at all (barbaric and
> unsanitary devices!), so I drag my little chopsticks along with me
> wherever I go.

I hear ya. I know someone who would eat ice cream with chopsticks.

--
Dan

Yeah, I do that, too. Embarrasing, huh?

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:05:12 -0500, "James Silverton"
<not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.net> wrote:

>Itsumokokokara wrote on Mon, 12 Dec 2005 17:46:22 -0500:
>
> I> When I try to hold sushi sashimi with the meat side down to
> I> dip it into my soy sauce, all I get is a mess when it falls
> I> from my grasp!
>
> I> With the fingers, no problem. I understand that this is
> I> acceptable in most places, but I would like to know how
> I> others can dip with the sticks!
>
> I> The chef loves to see me. He knows he will have an evening
> I> of entertainment watching me trying to flip each bite. I
> I> think he's selling tickets. The place always gets crowded
> I> *after* I get there.
>
>notI>I use my fingers usually but if you must use chopsticks, turn
>notI>the nigiri on its side, put a stick on each side and dip the
>notI>end. It's also possible to hold the stuff diagonally and again
>not>don't dip the whole thing. Oh anyway!, what the hell let them
>notI>laugh!
>
>James Silverton.

Hey James, thanks man! My girlfriends name is nigiri !!! What a
coincedence!!! I tried the "side" thing with her and she told me to
stop playing with my food, so I got up and got something to eat! I
want to try it diagonally, but I think I scared her when I suggested
it !!!

Seriously, how do you mean "diagonally"?

I got to get this right. It's making me crazy!!! My Mother used to
tell me that would be the shortest trip in the world !!!

Ok, diagonally. That means cross wise. nigiri is facing long wise,
point to point, one point near me, the other point away from me.
Chopsticks are strait. I hold chopsticks diagonally and now fish is in
the way !!! So, I turn fish diagonally. Damn !!! Everything is falling
off again !!!

I tried getting used to using my fingers, but every time, I keep
getting soy sauce in my eyes !!! I can't help it. My eyes itch a lot.

nigiri tells me I taste good. Ha! Her blood pressue is terrible. Too
much soy sauce.

I gotta learn how to do this.

Diagonally.

Explain please.

(nigiri, please, not now !!! I'm on the internet !!!)

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:12:10 -0500, "James Silverton"
<not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.net> wrote:

>James wrote to Itsumokokokara on Mon, 12 Dec 2005
>18:05:12 -0500:
>
> I>> When I try to hold sushi sashimi with the meat side down to
> I>> dip it into my soy sauce, all I get is a mess when it falls
>
>
>I just realized you mentioned sashimi! That's not a problem is
>it?

You got me that time !!!

I reply and I get >I>> on one line and >I just on another. You're
making me crazy !!! My Aunt used to tell me that would be one short
trip !!! She knew my Mother !!!

No, sashimi was never a problem until I started trying to eat it
diagonally!!! Now I'm starving, thanks to you!!!

>If you can use a pencil, you can use chopsticks!

I just ate my supper with pencils !!! Thanks, now I have funny marks
all over my teeth !!!

>Grab the
>fish firmly (if you are worried,shake it over the serving plate
>to make sure you are holding it) and just dip one end.

Ok, I shook it all over my serving plate and they kicked me out !!!
Are you trying to ruin me? Now I gotta find another place to try
eating diaogonally !!! How the hell do you do that? I think you're
pretty wierd man. No offence. You ever get kicked out after shaking it
over a plate? nigiri is cracking up !!! She thinks you're pretty
funny!!!

>If you
>are having trouble, drop it on the rice and pick it up again.

Hey man, don't even go there!!!!!!!!!!! I tried that with nigiri one
time and she hasn't eaten rice since !!!

On 12 Dec 2005 15:25:46 -0800, wrote:

>"I just realized you mentioned sashimi! That's not a problem is
>it? If you can use a pencil, you can use chopsticks!"
>
>
>It wasn't THAT easy, James. It took me longer to become adept at
>chopsticking sashimi. The stuff is slippery!
>
>A tip: When using chopsticks, keep your face close to the bowl like
>Asian people do. Less of a perilous journey betwixt bowl and mouth
>that way!

Yeah, sure. Now my whole face is wet!!! Nigiri is going to have a
heart attack !!!

On 12 Dec 2005 15:05:46 -0800, wrote:

>I was completely unable to use chopsticks two years ago.

Hey man, I can relate. Those things are starting to scare me !!!
Someone told me to park my car diagonally today and it made me have
flashbacks.

>Then i decided to learn by the "immersion method".

Hey man, I just taught that one to nigiri !!! You shouldn't talk that
way here man. There might be kids here !!! Call me later. I gotta talk
to you about this guy that does it diagonally !!! Dude must be
thin!!!! Hell, me, I can't hardly see any more. nigiri tells me I have
good taste !!! I can't make her stop licking my eyes !!!

>I just forced myself to
>use chopsticks for everything.

You too huh?

> Now I am totally adept with them, so
>it's just practice. Fish is slippery and a bit more difficult.

You and me gotta talk......

On 12 Dec 2005 15:21:33 -0800, wrote:

>The only problem now, Dan, is that I have gone from one extreme to the
>other, and now I don't like to use forks at all

Yes, yes !!! Nigiri tried to give me a fork just yesterday. I told her
I wanted to try to use the sticks diagonally !!! That was a big fight.
I never could beat up her brother.

> (barbaric and
>unsanitary devices!), so I drag my little chopsticks along with me
>wherever I go.

Me, I'm just dragging along too. I am getting better now. I can almost
walk without a limp. I don't like her brother.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:36:08 -0500, Dan Logcher
> wrote:

wrote:
>> The only problem now, Dan, is that I have gone from one extreme to the
>> other, and now I don't like to use forks at all (barbaric and
>> unsanitary devices!), so I drag my little chopsticks along with me
>> wherever I go.
>
>I hear ya. I know someone who would eat ice cream with chopsticks.

Nigiri wants to meet him........She keeps asking me if I know his
name!!!! Now I can't get nothing to eat !!!! I'm going to go back to
forking my food.

I'm having diagonal dreams now. It's all that silver guys fault.

wrote:

> Yeah, I do that, too. Embarrasing, huh?

I've never seen it, just know the person who did it.
Actually, I haven't seem him in years.

I would say its less than efficient for things like this.

--
Dan

On 12 Dec 2005 16:01:28 -0800, wrote:

>Yeah, I do that, too. Embarrasing, huh?

Hi ! I'm Nigiri !!! My boyfriend is in the kitchen doing weird things
with my chopsticks. You eat icecream with chopsticks? You married?

Dan Logcher wrote:

> wrote:
>> I was completely unable to use chopsticks two years ago. Then i
>> decided to learn by the "immersion method". I just forced myself to
>> use chopsticks for everything. Now I am totally adept with them, so
>> it's just practice. Fish is slippery and a bit more difficult.
>
> Yes, you did well.. I remember when you wouldn't use chopsticks.



Me too. He preferred the "more advanced eating implement that is much
superior to the primitive chopsticks," the fork

If I didn't use chopsticks, I'd east sushi with my fingers, but I can't
imagine eating it with a fork.

He's improved, but he's still wrong about Sushi Ten. ;-)


--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

Nah, Sushi Ten is great!

Too bad I can't show off my born again chopstick skills to the late
great Steve Wong!

Itsu's girlfriend, etc.: Chopsticks work fine with nice cold ice
cream. In fact I always hated ice cream eaten with a metal implement.
Best is an ice cream cone where you can just lick it; next best a
wooden implement, like a wooden spoon, or else wooden or plastic
chopsticks.

Also, chocolate ice cream is best.

Thank you.


ww

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Yeah, I do that, too. Embarrasing, huh?
>


Remarkable. In Japan we eat ice cream with spoons.

M

"Remarkable. In Japan we eat ice cream with spoons. "



Well, you know how annoyingly fanatical new converts can be!

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> "Remarkable. In Japan we eat ice cream with spoons. "
>
>
>
> Well, you know how annoyingly fanatical new converts can be!
>
>

Yes, I'm glad we're talking about food. And not religion
or politics.

> With the fingers, no problem. I understand that this is acceptable in
> most places

Not only acceptable but common sense.

Today pepole are overcautious about touching food with fingers. Of course you have to wash hands - as you would before eating with knife and fork. If you prepare sushi with hands it is better to brush fingernails too. No rubber gloves, no rice molds for me please.

I've made sushi at home for about 20 years now. I always encourage my guests to eat with fingers. Gari, kampyo or pickled small aubergines which I often serve with sushi are easier to eat with chopsticks.

Jukka

Janice wrote on 18 Dec 2005 19:52:56 GMT:

??>> "I just realized you mentioned sashimi! That's not a
??>> problem is it? If you can use a pencil, you can use
??>> chopsticks!"
??>>
??>> It wasn't THAT easy, James. It took me longer to become
??>> adept at chopsticking sashimi. The stuff is slippery!
??>>
??>> A tip: When using chopsticks, keep your face close to the
??>> bowl like Asian people do. Less of a perilous journey
??>> betwixt bowl and mouth that way!
??>>
J> At home, I prefer using the bamboo chopsticks since they
J> grip better. Yet still I love the beauty of gorgeous
J> laquered chopsticks which my mother used to have a wonderful
J> assortment of (some inlaid in shiny black or red, with
J> mother of pearl) just to eat sticky rice with. I have a hard
J> time eating anything else with them!

J> The cheap disposable ones in paper wrappers that seem to be
J> made of balsa wood (what are they made of?) seem to work
J> quite well for me even with slippery foods.

As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the disposable
ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most things. The
variation in size in restaurant chopsticks is interesting
especially if you compare the disposable ones with the washable
(I trust) plastic ones in a Pho restaurant.

I was given some ivory chopsticks 30 years ago and they still
work fine.

I was being a bit flip with my pencil remark but the motion of
the upper fingers *is* very similar to using a pencil.

James Silverton.

Janice wrote on 18 Dec 2005 21:38:10 GMT:

??>> As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the
??>> disposable ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most
??>> things.

J> I picked up a 'tradition' of splitting them apart at the top
J> joining then rubbing them together (as if sharpening a knife
J> on a whet stone). Seemed to get rid of the slivers.

Yes, that's a very good idea and one that I had forgotten!

James Silverton.

Janice wrote:

> On 18 Dec 2005, James Silverton typed:
>
>
>>As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the disposable
>>ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most things.
>
>
> I picked up a 'tradition' of splitting them apart at the top joining
> then rubbing them together (as if sharpening a knife on a whet
> stone). Seemed to get rid of the slivers.

A practice deemed rude if viewed by the sushi chef or owner.. you can
always do it under the counter out of sight.

>>I was given some ivory chopsticks 30 years ago and they still
>>work fine.
>
> Oh, ivory. Hard to come by (for good reason). A special treasure
> indeed.

My parents received two sets of ivory chopsticks from a Japanese
business man many years ago. They still have and use them to this
day.

I have two sets of jade chopsticks, a gift from a friend who got them
in China. I do not use them more of a show piece than for eating.

We have several sets of laquered Japanese chopsticks, with the gripping
tips. Very useful for sashimi.

--
Dan

Dan wrote on Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:50:16 -0500:

??>> On 18 Dec 2005, James Silverton typed:
??>>
??>>> As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the
??>>> disposable ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most
??>>> things.
??>>
??>> I picked up a 'tradition' of splitting them apart at the
??>> top joining then rubbing them together (as if sharpening a
??>> knife on a whet stone). Seemed to get rid of the slivers.
??>>

DL> A practice deemed rude if viewed by the sushi chef or
DL> owner.. you can always do it under the counter out of
DL> sight.

It's pretty rude being stabbed by a splinter too:-) It's
happened to me a few times and even in quite expensive places
whose owners should have provided smoother ones, IMHO!

James Silverton.

James Silverton wrote:
> Dan wrote on Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:50:16 -0500:
>
> ??>> On 18 Dec 2005, James Silverton typed:
> ??>>
> ??>>> As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the
> ??>>> disposable ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most
> ??>>> things.
> ??>>
> ??>> I picked up a 'tradition' of splitting them apart at the
> ??>> top joining then rubbing them together (as if sharpening a
> ??>> knife on a whet stone). Seemed to get rid of the slivers.
> ??>>
>
> DL> A practice deemed rude if viewed by the sushi chef or
> DL> owner.. you can always do it under the counter out of
> DL> sight.
>
> It's pretty rude being stabbed by a splinter too:-) It's happened to me
> a few times and even in quite expensive places whose owners should have
> provided smoother ones, IMHO!

They should. You might want to mention that to someone there.
I've only once gotten a stab in the mouth like that, from an Express
type sushi joint. No wonder there.

--
Dan

Dan Logcher > wrote:
> Janice wrote:
>
> > On 18 Dec 2005, James Silverton typed:
> >
> >
> >>As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the disposable
> >>ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most things.
> >
> >
> > I picked up a 'tradition' of splitting them apart at the top joining
> > then rubbing them together (as if sharpening a knife on a whet
> > stone). Seemed to get rid of the slivers.
>
> A practice deemed rude if viewed by the sushi chef or owner.. you can
> always do it under the counter out of sight.

That's what I've always done, although at my regular sushi bar, the
chopsticks are so well finished that it's not necessary.
>
> >>I was given some ivory chopsticks 30 years ago and they still
> >>work fine.
> >
> > Oh, ivory. Hard to come by (for good reason). A special treasure
> > indeed.
>
> My parents received two sets of ivory chopsticks from a Japanese
> business man many years ago. They still have and use them to this
> day.
>
> I have two sets of jade chopsticks, a gift from a friend who got them
> in China. I do not use them more of a show piece than for eating.
>
> We have several sets of laquered Japanese chopsticks, with the gripping
> tips. Very useful for sashimi.

I was just given a gift set of four pair of 9 inch red oak (?)ohashi, with
dark green finger area with a few delicate gold bands,and matching fired
hashi oki. I'll be using them at home, since I think bringing them to a
sushi bar would be inappropriate, like bringing your own sake masu.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled War on Terror Veterans and
their families:
http://saluteheroes.org/ & http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !

"James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.net> wrote:
> Dan wrote on Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:50:16 -0500:
>
> ??>> On 18 Dec 2005, James Silverton typed:
> ??>>
> ??>>> As long as you don't get splinters in your lips the
> ??>>> disposable ones are fine and rough enough to pick up most
> ??>>> things.
> ??>>
> ??>> I picked up a 'tradition' of splitting them apart at the
> ??>> top joining then rubbing them together (as if sharpening a
> ??>> knife on a whet stone). Seemed to get rid of the slivers.
> ??>>
>
> DL> A practice deemed rude if viewed by the sushi chef or
> DL> owner.. you can always do it under the counter out of
> DL> sight.
>
> It's pretty rude being stabbed by a splinter too:-) It's
> happened to me a few times and even in quite expensive places
> whose owners should have provided smoother ones, IMHO!
>
James, I agree, but as Dan points out "You can always do it under the
counter out of sight!"

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled War on Terror Veterans and
their families:
http://saluteheroes.org/ & http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !

I have two sets of jade chopsticks, a gift from a friend who got them
in China. I do not use them more of a show piece than for eating.

--- Jade chopsticks - rather the stone that they use to simulate jade
(I don't think anybody makes chopsticks out of real jade) is EXTREMELY
brittle and is really just for show. By the way, I found a place in
L.A. Chinatown that sells two pairs of "jade" chopsticks in a package
that includes two very nice "jade" chopstick holders (turtle, fish,
etc.), all for only $4!


We have several sets of laquered Japanese chopsticks, with the gripping
tips. Very useful for sashimi.

--- What's a "gripping tip" - grooves? Or is it some sort of sandpaper
substance on the tip, which i saw only once.


--- ww

wrote:

> I have two sets of jade chopsticks, a gift from a friend who got them
> in China. I do not use them more of a show piece than for eating.
>
> --- Jade chopsticks - rather the stone that they use to simulate jade
> (I don't think anybody makes chopsticks out of real jade) is EXTREMELY
> brittle and is really just for show. By the way, I found a place in
> L.A. Chinatown that sells two pairs of "jade" chopsticks in a package
> that includes two very nice "jade" chopstick holders (turtle, fish,
> etc.), all for only $4!

Yes, real jade.. hence the reason I said they are a show piece. My friend
was told by the seller that they shouldn't be used. If ever dropped they
would shatter.


> We have several sets of laquered Japanese chopsticks, with the gripping
> tips. Very useful for sashimi.
>
> --- What's a "gripping tip" - grooves? Or is it some sort of sandpaper
> substance on the tip, which i saw only once.

Kind of like sandpaper.. the tips are rough to the touch, about 1 1/4"
from the tip down. It helps when picking up sashimi.

--
Dan

"Yes, real jade..."

Do they look like this?:

http://www.luckywonders.com/JadeChopstick.htm

wrote:

> "Yes, real jade..."
>
> Do they look like this?:
>
> http://www.luckywonders.com/JadeChopstick.htm

The ones I have are more dark green, very similar..
I don't think they came with turtles though.

--
Dan

I bought a bunch. They vary in colour. Some are darker-coloured, some
vari-coloured, some with turtles, some with other holders. I broke one
chopstick just by setting it down in the sink not quite gently enough!

I don't think any of the "jade" you see in Chinatown is real jade.
Even the Chinese lady in the store where I buy them said that "only
jewelry" is made from real jade.

wrote:

> I bought a bunch. They vary in colour. Some are darker-coloured, some
> vari-coloured, some with turtles, some with other holders. I broke one
> chopstick just by setting it down in the sink not quite gently enough!
>
> I don't think any of the "jade" you see in Chinatown is real jade.
> Even the Chinese lady in the store where I buy them said that "only
> jewelry" is made from real jade.

This was from China, a friend took a month long trip to East Asia.
He said it was real jade, so I'm sure it is..

--
Dan

wrote:

> "Yes, real jade..."
>
> Do they look like this?:
>
> http://www.luckywonders.com/JadeChopstick.htm


They look nice and might be nice for display purposes, but I don't think I'd
want to use them--too fragile.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

wrote:

> I bought a bunch. They vary in colour. Some are darker-coloured, some
> vari-coloured, some with turtles, some with other holders. I broke
> one chopstick just by setting it down in the sink not quite gently
> enough!
>
> I don't think any of the "jade" you see in Chinatown is real jade.
> Even the Chinese lady in the store where I buy them said that "only
> jewelry" is made from real jade.


There's information on real and non-real jade he
http://www.loelem.santacruz.k12.ca.u...rips/jade.html

or http://tinyurl.com/c9as2

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup