Anyone else surprised?

[Jasandjules]

Went to eat in a Chinese the other day. It was set with knives and forks, had to go and ask for chopsticks.

I was rather disappointed that they have such little faith in their customers!

[Turn7]

chinky we use you have to ask for knife and fork....sticks only.

[Shaolin]

Chopsticks are rubbish though as eating implements.

[GrumpyTwig]

Shaolin said:

Chopsticks are rubbish though as eating implements.

For a lot of English take away Chinese food I'd agree, no idea how to handle noodles with them or anything with sauce.
Though for Japanese (sushi / sashimi etc.) they're ideal as well as part of the fun and ceremony.

[NorthDave]

We went to a chinese recently in Manchester and worked out all the 'english' people were sat in a line - with knives and forks, plates etc. Whilst the chinese people had their usual equipment. We had to ask for chopsticks and bowls. The food wasn't particularly good either which made me wonder if we were eating sanitised versions. The rest of the place was packed with chinese.

I wont be visiting again. Found it very patronising. This was the restaurant above Wing Yip if anyone knows it.

[Jasandjules]

Yeah the food is obviously not "pure" Chinese but the staff were eating the same stuff.

I guess I just thought that it would be chopsticks as standard, kind of tragic to me that we are held is such low esteem that we won't bother to learn how to use chopsticks. Most of our friends will use them if they have a Chinese at our place.

[Shaolin]

Jasandjules said:

Most of our friends will use them if they have a Chinese at our place.

Why? I just don't geddit. Why should some foods be eaten with awkward implements because that's what happens in a land far away?

If I'm just given chopsticks I'll use them reasonably competently rather than ask for a knife and fork, and I appreciate it is in some way part of the experience, especially when eating out. As far as I'm aware, they were invented partially as they can be made easily from wood, used once and thrown away, cheap to replace, hygienic and probably much cheaper than the alternatives. These days though, there is no need to use them for these reasons.

Knives and forks are far more efficient though. Do you ever eat with chopsticks when eating other food that could be eaten with chopsticks but isn't in some way Chinese?

[Jasandjules]

Shaolin said:

Do you ever eat with chopsticks when eating other food that could be eaten with chopsticks but isn't in some way Chinese?

No chopsticks are used purely when eating Chinese food, whether that is home made, takeaway or restaurant.

I should note that the staff all just used a spoon....

[soad]

I use a fork.

[55palfers]

Shaolin said:

Chopsticks are rubbish though as eating implements.

Especially for soup

[HOGEPH]

55palfers said:

Shaolin said:

Chopsticks are rubbish though as eating implements.

Especially for soup

They're quite good for cubes of cheese and pineapple chunks...