Joanna James
In Japan, chopsticks are arguably the single most essential eating tool, with its nationals using them to eat everything from salad, sushi, noodles, meat, and even rice!
While chopsticks might look like the ideal miniature drumsticks to entertain yourself while waiting for your meal to arrive, doing so is considered to be childish and extremely rude. In fact, Japanese children are taught from a very young age the importance of mealtime manners and to refrain from playing with chopsticks.
If and when you wish to share food among friends or family dining with you, it might seem rather quick and efficient to pass something from your own set of chopsticks directly to another. However, this is considered taboo when it comes to Japanese dining etiquette. If it is necessary to pass food, it will be best to place the item directly on a side place, so they may pick it up on their own.
Based on the country you are from, it might be an ordinary act to rub your disposable wooden sticks known as waribashi in Japanese, together to smooth out the texture and to avoid potential splinters, it is actually considered to be very bad manners in Japan. As the action might imply that you believe the restaurant that you're dining at, does not offer quality chopsticks. So do try your best to avoid doing this much as possible. If one is dining at restaurants by hotels such as Park Hotel Kyoto offering some fantastic Kyoto hotel deals, you will find premium quality chopsticks being offered to diners.
Another common faux pas one may make when it comes to Japanese dining etiquette and has the potential to make Japanese people cringe is sticking your set of chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. While may visiting foreigners might feel that doing so is an obvious and easy way to put them, in the Japanese culture, it holds a different significance. Sticking chopsticks vertically in rice is something that is done only during funeral rites, and therefore should be diligently avoided during regular meals. If available try to use chopstick holders whenever possible. If none can be found, simply place them uncrossed on your plate or bowl.
Another rule to remember when you are eating with your chopsticks is to avoid placing them in an ''x'' shape. In Japan, it is considered the high of rudeness to cross your chopsticks. So whenever possible remember to place them in a parallel position whether they are placed down or in your hands. However as a newcomer, you may be excused for not knowing every Japanese custom, yet making a point to follow them is a great way to make a better impression on Japanese people, and will help you get more acquainted with the country.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
