# No I can't use chopsticks **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 5, 2008, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370 "2008-07-05T13:38:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/21 "2008-07-05T16:40:20Z")
[QUOTE=Alive At Both Ends] BTW, a spoon and fork is a better option than a knife and fork - there’s nothing to cut up in Chinese cuisine. [/QUOTE] I beg to differ! I have been to Chinese buffets where I was given a fork and spoon but wished I had a knife (and wondered why I didn’t), because there were chunks too big to be bite-sized in the food (which, I’ll admit, may not have been the most authentic of Chinese cuisine). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/22 "2008-07-05T16:42:27Z")
[QUOTE=bluecanary] Maybe there’s a bit of US/UK cultural misunderstanding going on here? The OP is in England. Tipping is nowhere near as obligatory here as it is in the US. [/QUOTE] It just occurred to me that this might be why Canadians are considered lousy tippers in the US - we are still using the amount of the tip to signal our pleasure or displeasure with the service. Maybe some crappy servers got crappy tips from Canadians, and assumed that the fault was with the Canadians. Fools! (I really want to put in an evil laugh here, but I don’t know what it would be for.) The OP - that was silly of the waiter/restaurant. If you have a Chinese restaurant outside of China, you assume your patrons may or may not be chopstick users and accommodate both, unless you really want to limit your patrons to only chopstick users, which sounds like a bad business model to me. ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/23 "2008-07-05T16:44:34Z")
Remember that the OP is in England, where they have a different tipping etiquette. I don’t know much about tipping in England, but I gather it’s not the same as not tipping in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/24 "2008-07-05T16:54:09Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] Each time he insisted they had no knives or forks he said it with a **cheesey shit** eating smirk on his face [/QUOTE] What does “cheesey shit” taste like, I wonder? Maybe you could ask him. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/25 "2008-07-05T17:22:47Z")
[QUOTE=BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed] But really, when you think about it, they _are_ just a couple of sticks that you’re trying to bring together. With a bit more practice you might not find them as difficult as you had thought… [/QUOTE] And it’s his choice not to devote additional time to practice a skill he’s not interested in acquiring. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/26 "2008-07-05T17:23:42Z")
[QUOTE=Merkwurdigliebe] Remember that the OP is in England, where they have a different tipping etiquette. I don’t know much about tipping in England, but I gather it’s not the same as not tipping in the US. [/QUOTE] No, thankfully mindless tipping is one American tradition that’s not caught on here. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/27 "2008-07-05T17:46:36Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] It just occurred to me that this might be why Canadians are considered lousy tippers in the US - we are still using the amount of the tip to signal our pleasure or displeasure with the service. Maybe some crappy servers got crappy tips from Canadians, and assumed that the fault was with the Canadians. Fools! (I really want to put in an evil laugh here, but I don’t know what it would be for.) [/QUOTE] That’s technically how it’s supposed to work in the US, but servers have convinced enough people that a tip is mandatory for all meals, regardless of the quality of the service. The fact that it’s caught on saddens me. But if I get shit service I’m not going to leave a good tip. I’ve left 10%, 5%, a penny and nothing before and I’m sure I’ll have to do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/28 "2008-07-05T17:47:02Z")
I’m a chopsticks-competent eater. I like to use chopsticks. I try to get my kids to use them also. I’m pro-stick. However, I’ve got to come down on the side of the OP on this one. If he says he doesn’t use chopsticks, they should get him some other tools. If the waiter acted smarmy and superior about it, then, hey, = no tip. That is the point of tips, you give less if you’re not happy, you give more if you’re particularly happy. However, I suggest another strategy: **Chowder** “could I please have a knife and fork?” Waiter " Sorry, only chopsticks" **Chowder** “Please bring me a knife and fork” Waiter " we only have chopsticks" **Chowder** “OK” **Chowder** proceeds to eat with chopsticks, food bits slinging off the plate and across the floor. A blast zone of rice accretes around **Chowder** , giving the illusion that he is sitting within an invisible snowglobe. Fragments of General Tso’s great work carome off adjacent diners, as well as non-adjacent, and even remote, diners. Sweet and sour sauce streaks across the wall like a bad scene from Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Waiter “May I get you a knife and fork” **Chowder** “No, thank you, this is more authentic” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/29 "2008-07-05T18:02:18Z")
While I tend to agree with the OP, there could have been some cross-cultural misunderstanding going on here. Having traveled extensively in Asia, my experience is that sometimes what seems like shitty customer service is in fact a tendency for Asians to be indirect in confrontations. Maybe there was a real reason the knife or fork was not readily available and the waiter didn’t want to embarrass himself or the restaurant by telling you the reason. And accents can often make the emotions behind any given statement difficult to read. I’ve learned to “go with the flow” when eating at Asian restaurants and assume that the host or waiter has my best interests in mind. That generally proves to be correct. Let’s hope that he didn’t interrupt the wash cycle of the dishwasher to get you some half-cleaned utensils. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/30 "2008-07-05T18:10:39Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Yeah, because everyone knows that Chinese restaurant owners don’t want to make much money. 😕 [/QUOTE] Not sure what the emoticon is for, we’re not saying different things. I’m not calling them cheap or inferring anything about their character. Whatever works, works. But there’s likely no relation between use of chopsticks and quality of food. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/31 "2008-07-05T18:15:31Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] It just occurred to me that this might be why Canadians are considered lousy tippers in the US - we are still using the amount of the tip to signal our pleasure or displeasure with the service. Maybe some crappy servers got crappy tips from Canadians, and assumed that the fault was with the Canadians. Fools! (I really want to put in an evil laugh here, but I don’t know what it would be for.) [/QUOTE] You sure the servers are talking about actual Canadians? I know that it’s extremely common for the servers to call, you know, _cough\*\*black people_ _cough_ “Canadians” when they want to complain about them and not sound racist. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/32 "2008-07-05T18:16:01Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] And it’s his choice not to devote additional time to practice a skill he’s not interested in acquiring. [/QUOTE] I’m 66 years old, I’ve been eating Chinese since I was about 14. I’ve tried, God how I’ve tried, to master chopsticks but all my efforts fail miserably. **Alive at Both Ends** I imagine it tastes a bit like Brie or Camembert 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/33 "2008-07-05T18:18:14Z")
[QUOTE=Influential Panda] You sure the servers are talking about actual Canadians? [/QUOTE] Pretty sure, she being an _actual_ Canadian and all. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/34 "2008-07-05T18:18:15Z")
[QUOTE=Influential Panda] Not sure what the emoticon is for, we’re not saying different things. I’m not calling them cheap or inferring anything about their character. Whatever works, works. But there’s likely no relation between use of chopsticks and quality of food. [/QUOTE] Why would they want you to eat less food? Most restaurants want you to eat lots of food so they can make more money. And if they are trying inconvenience you with utensils you can’t use well, then you’ll take longer to eat your meal and there will be less turnover in the place. IOW, I think your claim doesn’t make sense. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/35 "2008-07-05T18:19:47Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] I’m 66 years old, I’ve been eating Chinese since I was about 14. [/QUOTE] I can think of 3 ways to read that, 2 of which are pretty funny! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/36 "2008-07-05T18:19:53Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Why would they want you to eat less food? [/QUOTE] Maybe they’re concerned about our health. No? Yeah, I didn’t think so, either. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/37 "2008-07-05T18:20:01Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Why would they want you to eat less food? [/QUOTE] Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet. “You go now! You eat too much!” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/38 "2008-07-05T18:20:58Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet. “You go now! You eat too much!” [/QUOTE] Chinese buffets cater to non-Chinese. At least in the US. They tend to be the least authentic food around. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/39 "2008-07-05T18:21:51Z")
I think that was a joke, **John**. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370/40 "2008-07-05T18:23:22Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Chinese buffets cater to non-Chinese. At least in the US. They tend to be the least authentic food around. [/QUOTE] Of course they are. Also with a motivation to make it hard to eat large quantities of bad chinese food. Hence, “No fork. Use chopstick” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-cant-use-chopsticks/455370.md?page=3)