Learn about the DO'S & DON'TS, etiquette, and impress your friends and family with your newfound chopstick skills!
Please note that the DO'S & DON'TS below are listed from a Japanese perspective and may not necessarily be true in other countries.
DO's
- Always rest your chopsticks on the chopstick rests if they are provided.
- Pass or dish out the food to others using the reverse non-eating ends of your chopstick (when there is no provided serving utensil).
- Hold them two-thirds of the way down from the chopstick tip.
DON'TS
- Spear food with your chopsticks.
- Hold chopsticks with your fist and not with your fingers.
- Never point your chopsticks at others.
- Raise chopsticks above mouth level.
- Transfer food from chopstick to chopstick. This derives from the practice of passing remains from chopstick to chopstick when picking up remains after cremation.
- Move chopsticks across dishes to decide what to eat next.
- Place chopsticks across the dishes. This is considered a sign of "I will not eat anymore".
- Lick chopsticks.
- Use chopsticks to pass food or move plates.
- NEVER stick chopsticks vertically into your rice or any food as this is a ritual done at funerals.