Learning a new skill is not easy, especially if it is something that is completely new for you. Using chopsticks may be normal for some people, especially those of Asian descent who use them every day, but for others, it is a new experience that can be daunting and intimidating at first.
But don’t worry, learning how to use your chopsticks may be difficult at first, but it gets easier as time goes by. To make it less difficult, here are some tips you should take into heart.
- Ask for Help From Someone Who Knows How to Use Them – There is nothing wrong with watching YouTube videos/tutorials on how to use chopsticks, but there is something about getting your instruction straight from someone who really knows how to use them. The fact is, when you see the person demonstrating right in front of you, you can see it from all angles and it becomes easier to mimic the gestures. There’s also the added advantage that they can also see what you are doing, making it easier to correct you and tell you what to adjust so that you can do it better.
- Relax – There are many who quit while learning how to use chopsticks because they failed the first few times. You need to relax and not put too much pressure on yourself. Take a look at those who do it naturally and learn from how they hold their chopsticks. The right way to hold them is to hold one chopstick in your dominant hand, between your pointer, middle finger and your thumb. One thing you need to do is to keep your thumb from moving while you are maneuvering the chopsticks. Relaxing your hand is key so that you will not feel strained.
- Practice, Practice, Practice – The key to mastering any skill is to practice. There are no shortcuts to being good at holding and using chopsticks, you need to invest time and effort until it comes naturally to you. If you’ve just started, try practicing by picking up large pieces that are easy to grasp, like big pieces of food or even just anything you see at the house. Once you are getting better, move to smaller pieces. It will be harder, but you’ll also find that your skills will improve dramatically.
- Learn About Proper Etiquette – It’s important to know that there are certain things you cannot do with a chopstick. Bear this in mind when you are eating at a Japanese restaurant for example, or if you have traveled to Japan for a vacation. Some things to remember are that spearing your food is a no-no, and so is passing food from one chopstick to another.
- Invest in a Nice Pair – If you find that you have now improved on your skills, it’s time to invest in your very own pair! Why not check out WarmChef.com for some of the best chopsticks in the market today?