Essay 2:Chopsticks Communities - Reconfigured
From Mod Mania
GRAP 1041 Design Studies- Mod Mania Chen Hsi S3304076 TASK 2: Chopsticks Communities - Reconfigured
I chose “Chopsticks Communities” which was written by Zhaoyue Yang as my task 2 reconfigured texts. After reading and analyzing her article, I found she focused on the history of chopsticks and the material of chopsticks. In task 2, I want to extend the chopsticks research from the different methods of using chopsticks, chopsticks etiquette between different countries and the new design of chopsticks.
According to Zhaoyue Yang’s article, it is clearly seen that chopsticks originated in ancient China. After my further research, I found that other asian countries such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam also had long included as part of traditional utensils. In recent centuries, the use of chopsticks spread to other countries with the large population of Chinese immigrants especially in Southeast Asia. Many countries in Southeast Asia had traditionally eaten with their hands, but through the influence of Chinese immigrants, some countries like Thailand and Indonesia began to use chopsticks while eating noodle dishes.
methods of using chopsticks According to my observation, I found there are 3 main methods of using chopsticks.
This first method and likely the most common one. Holding chopsticks by using thumb, index finger and middle finger. The chopsticks will form a cross at about the place where you holding it. It is the most easy way.
This method is mostly used to complement the first one method. When the object is hard to be picked up, you can grab the chopsticks together and poke it through the object, just like using a toothpick.
This method is the traditional method and the most efficient way of using chopsticks. It let you not only hold heavy objects firmly but also pick delicate objects easily. There is a clear instruction which I found on eHow teaching us how to use chopsticks correctly in 6 steps.
Step 1: Hold one chopstick between your thumb and middle finger. Position the chopstick so that it lies at the base of your thumb (on the joint) and at the lower joint of the middle finger. This chopstick shouldn't touch the forefinger.
Step2: Place the other chopstick between your thumb and forefinger. The side of the chopstick should rest against the tip of your thumb; the top of the chopstick should rest against the pad of your forefinger.
Step3: Be sure the tips of the chopsticks are parallel.
Step4: Keep the first chopstick stationary as you practice moving the second chopstick toward the stationary one.
Step5: Use this technique to position the chopsticks around a piece of food.
Step6: Hold the food firmly as you lift it toward your mouth
chopsticks etiquette Chopsticks are used in many parts of the world. While principles of etiquette are similar, only some points amy differ from region to region. The following picture can show ten etiquettes of using chopsticks.
Universal etiquette
 Do not pull plate or bawl around with chopsticks. There are two reason, one is not sanitary,another is it is hard to keep balance which leads to turn over.
 Look before act, do not wander chopsticks over several dishes without decision.
 Lick the tips of the chopsticks is not allow because it may let bacteria stick on chopsticks.
Taiwanese etiquette
 Do not stand chopsticks up in rice due to traditional custom of funeral, as this resembles incense stuck in the ash of a censer and is thus connected with death.
 It is not sanitary passing food to another person from chopsticks to chopsticks. Food in need of transportation should be placed on recipient's plate for collection.
 In traditional culture, use chopsticks as fork to stab food is impolite.
 Do not hold two sticks together as one would grasp a knife to attach someone sitting around you.
Hong Kong etiquette
 The eldest (most respected) member of the family holds his/her chopsticks first.
Korean etiquette
 It is rude to use the same hand to hold both chopsticks and a spoon at the same time.
Vietnamese etiquette
 Should not pick up food from the table and place it directly in the mouth. Food must be placed in your own bowl first.
New design of chopsticks
Ukihashi Restless Chopsticks
Chopsticks don’t come with very many drawbacks. One issue is that you need to rest them somewhere when you set them down, so as to avoid touching them to the table. Ukihashi Restless Chopsticks attack that problem head on with a unique raised shape that keeps the tips off the table when you set them down.
Mater Angle Chopsticks
Ergonomically shaped stainless steel makes Mater's Angle Chopsticks some of the sleekest pair of utensils you'll ever find on your dinner table. The chopsticks are complimented by a nesting block that is made out of lacquered bamboo.
Froggetmee Chopsticks
Froggetmee is a two-in-one utensil combining the functions of a soup spoon and chopsticks designed just for you. Froggetmee frees you to enjoy eating with one hand while you continue working with the other. Froggetmee is an award-winning designer product brought to you by Propaganda®. Designed by Thai designers Chaiyut Plypetch and Ankul Assavaviboonpan, it received the Good Design 2006 Award in the category of Household products from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and is displayed in the Museum's permanent design collection. It also won the Made in Thailand Design Award 2006.
Reference
StupidGenius, StupidGenius guide to using chopsticks, http://stupid-genius.blogspot.com/2006/03/stupidgenius-guide-to-using-chopsticks.html [Accessed in 22, April, 2011]
eHow Contributor, How to Use Chopsticks, http://www.ehow.com/how_3261_chopsticks.html [Accessed in 22, April, 2011]
msholihulhadi, Tips bagaimana cara menggunakan sumpit, http://msholihulhadi.wordpress.com/2009/05/10/tips-bagaimana-cara-menggunakan-sumpit/ [Accessed in 23, April, 2011]
emmohome, http://www.emmohome.com/plus-d-restless-chopsticks.html# [Accessed in 23, April, 2011]
Mater Angle Chopsticks, http://www.acquiremag.com/life/kitchen/mater-angle-chopsticks.php [Accessed in 23, April, 2011]
Froggetmee-Chopsticks and spoon, http://www.decolives.com/product_info.php?products_id=85 [Accessed in 23, April, 2011]
