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 Posted By: DrPepper 
Jun 27  # 6 of 27
I have tried on several occasions to eat with chopsticks and have failed miserably each time. I even have a Vietnamese friend who has shown me how to use them and I still can't get it right. I guess I have uncoordinated fingers. Thank goodness most restaurants let me use a fork or I would starve. Any good tips that might help me, I'm willing to try again.
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 Posted By: ainjel 
Jun 29  # 7 of 27
For me, the easiest way to start eating with chopsticks was to hold the first one as you would hold a pencil. Then I add the second one in a similar fashion and after some practice it has become pretty easy. I think it's one of those things that is kind of hard to explain and needs to be shown. Maybe that friend's way of holding the chopsticks just isn't right for you. Not everyone uses them the exact same way.
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 Posted By: Mrs. Chipotle 
Jul 15  # 8 of 27
I have heard that rule about not sticking the chopsticks vertically into any food somewhere before. Hmmmm....

I think ainjel has it right in regard to how to hold the chopsticks...that is how I do it. At least, I think so. I haven't used chopsticks in quite a few years. The places we get Chinese food from don't give them to us.

It's kind of fun to eat with them though, so I would like to try again soon.
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 Posted By: Mama Mangia 
Jul 15  # 9 of 27
I have a lot of chopsticks! Can't eat with them at all!!! But they do come in quite handy for cooking, stirring, baking, etc. I get more use out of them that way than if I made a fool of myself trying to eat with them!
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 Posted By: ainjel 
Jul 15  # 10 of 27
I use them for more than just eating utensils, too. I've taken to using them to stir up cafe drinks, especially when I make myself an iced chai. : )