The further away u hold the chopsticks the more "Asian" u look?

Question

My japanese friend said i should try to hold the chopsticks not in the the middle, but further away from the food, towards the other end of the chopsticks. Otherwise i'm gonna look like a tourist. Is that true? Why?

Answer 1

NEGATIVE!! my next door neighbor (a Chinese person,of course) told me that you should hold the chopsticks using only 3 fingers so you can pass  as an original  Chinese person

Answer 2

That is true...  when you hold chopsticks you should hold them towards the end away from the food about 75% to 85% up the chopstick, not in the middle or closer to the food.

The more inexperienced hold it close to the end with the food.  Sometimes it looks like their dragging their knuckles through their food.  You can see this in Chinese restaurants with a mix of customers - Old Chinese and tourist.

That's how I can tell a newbie from an experienced chopstick user.

Why?  It's not an etiquette thing.  It's just shows that you're not familiar with using chopsticks, like the tourist.  

It's like watching a young kids dribbling a basketball.  The newbie spastic kid will bounce the ball with two hands like he's doing cpr on the ball (lol), while the kids that have played can dribble with one hand.  That's what your friend is trying to tell you... don't look like the spastic kid.

Answer 3

Your friend is funnin' with ya. Look around. Holding chopsticks is unique to each person. Like holding a pen while you write, the only wrong way is one that doesn't work. Asians hold their chopsticks in way different ways.

Answer 4

You decide

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2039.html

And

http://www.robsworld.org/chopsticks.html

Answer 5

No one would think I'm Asian, so what does it matter?  And I AM a tourist--everywhere I go.

Answer 6

Normally for chopsticks user, they hold it higher away from the food so, that they won't get some food or sauce on their chopsticks hand.  The new user tend to use it lower because of lack of practice and ease.  The more you use it the more you become accustomed to using it, and it will be easier to hold it higher. The upper 3rd or 1/4th of the chopstick is use to when you are giving or serving other food with your chopstick which, is the part that hasn't been in your mouth.  One important thing in using chopstick is that you use it so you can also enjoy your food.   Just  don't worry about what other thinks.  Almost no one really think about that, unless you're using chopsticks with both hands.  Besides, if you're not Asian how can using chopstick expertly make you looked Asian or if you are Asian - you already looked Asian.  Peace!!!

Answer 7

You wanna hold it further away to look like a refined aristocrat. Sort of like having one pinky out when you are drinking tea.

Answer 8

Is it really important? As long as the food gets to your mouth, I'm sure the chopsticks have served their purpose.

I know there are some rules and etiquette surrounding asian dining; but I'm fairly confident this isn't one of them.