Learn the key rules for using chopsticks properly
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Intro |
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| Becky: Hello, and welcome to JapanesePod101.com. This is Introduction to Business Culture, Lesson 8, Using Chopsticks Properly. In this lesson, we’ll teach you chopstick etiquette. I’m Becky. |
| Risa: ...and I’m Risa. |
| Risa: Becky, are you good at using chopsticks? |
| Becky: Yes, I think so! |
| Risa: But do you know all of the chopstick etiquette rules? |
| Becky: Maybe not! |
| Summary |
| Becky: In this lesson we’ll teach you not only how to hold chopsticks, but also some additional rules about chopstick-related etiquette. |
| Risa: So, whether you can use them or not, you should listen! |
| Becky: It’s very common for business to be conducted over meals, or for you to be invited out by people you’re working with. You’ll definitely find this lesson useful when you have dinner with Japanese co-workers or clients. |
Lesson focus |
| Becky: First of all, what is the Japanese word for “chopsticks”? |
| Risa: 箸 (hashi). Becky, can you explain how to hold them? |
| Becky: I’ll try! You should hold the first chopstick in the same way you would hold a pen or a pencil. This is the chopstick that you will be moving. Then, place the second chopstick so that it rests on the joint of the index finger and the thumb. This second chopstick won’t be moved. |
| Risa: Right! If you can move the first chopstick up and down, you are correct! |
| Becky: When I learned to use them correctly, I could grab small and large things easily. Also, I didn't get tired, even if I was using them for a long time. |
| Risa: Do you know what part of the chopstick to hold? |
| Becky: You should hold chopsticks towards the thicker, top end, right? |
| Risa: Yes, don’t hold them in the middle. |
| Becky: Now that we can hold chopsticks, let's learn chopstick manners. Risa, I’ve heard there are some gestures you should absolutely avoid. |
| Risa: Right, there are three things to avoid. |
| Becky: Let’s list them. What is the first one? |
| Risa: First, is 刺し箸 (Sashibashi). |
| Becky: This means “stabbing chopsticks.” You should never pierce food with the tip of the chopsticks. You pick food up, not stab it! |
| Risa: Secondly, is 寄せ箸 (yosebashi). |
| Becky: This means “dragging chopsticks.” You should never use chopsticks to move and draw dishes around. If a dish is too far away, pick it up or ask someone to pass it. |
| Risa: Finally, is 立て箸 (tatebashi). |
| Becky: This means “standing chopsticks.” You should never stick your chopsticks upright in the rice. |
| Becky: Are there other rules? |
| Risa: When you’re not using your chopsticks, leave them on the table. |
| Becky: Don’t hold chopsticks in your hands before meals are brought to the table. This looks really impatient. Also, between meals, while enjoying drinks, leave the chopsticks on the chopstick stand, which in Japanese is called... |
| Risa: 箸置き (hashi oki). |
| Becky: To wrap up this lesson, let’s also see the basic rules of the Japanese table setting, how chopsticks and dishes are arranged on the table. |
| Risa: The first rule is that rice and miso soup are in front. |
| Becky: What’s the Japanese for those? |
| Risa: ご飯 (go-han) |
| Becky: ...which means “rice”... |
| Risa: 味噌汁 (miso-shiru) |
| Becky: ...which means “miso soup.” Behind the rice and soup, there are about three kinds of side dishes. |
| Risa: They are called おかず (okazu). |
| Becky: The chopsticks are placed horizontally in front of you, with the tips of the chopsticks on the left. |
| Risa: When you drink the soup, you can hold the bowl up to your mouth. |
| Becky: It’s fine to drink directly from the bowl. And when you eat rice, you can hold the rice bowl in your hand and eat it with chopsticks. |
| Risa: You might find that easier. |
| Becky: Also, I’ve heard that it is good manners to eat a little of each dish in turn, instead of finishing off one dish and moving to the next. |
| Risa: Right. Don't drink all the miso soup at the beginning. |
| Becky: You should enjoy everything, one by one, all with rice. |
Outro |
| Becky: Those are the key facts about chopstick etiquette. If you want to find the related Japanese keywords, make sure to check out the lesson notes. Okay, that’s all for this lesson. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time. |
| Risa: Bye! |
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