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Friday Fun… Don’t Drop Your Chopsticks

By
Home Stager

Friday Fun… Don’t Drop Your Chopsticks


Last month’s July Challenge from Rocky Dickerson had me not only thinking about food but also about dining experiences I’ve had.

 

Growing up in Houston, our family would go to these huge 9 or 11-course Chinese dinners to celebrate Chinese New Year. There were several each weekend and they were long.  Each course was brought out separately...one at a time.   My cousins and I used to count them and try to keep track of where we were. Was that dish #4 or #5??

 


The table was large and round and sat probably 10 people. My memory is non-stop eating and talking. 

 

What I learned…

~Never try to use your chopsticks as if you were Buddy Rich, the drummer. The looks from the adults quickly put you in your place. 

~Never ever drop your chopsticks on the floor. It’s supposed to be bad luck.

~Never ever ask what it is you’re eating. 

You can ask, but trust me, you won’t like the answer. Duck feet!!!! I’m not kidding!!


 

Thank goodness for my Aunt Berda who would go to the kitchen and get knives and forks for all of the kids!

While we all knew how to use chopsticks they were not something we used on a daily basis. So to truly enjoy what we were eating, knives and forks were really appreciated. 



Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (33)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I've only ever tried chop sticks a couple of times and never really made much effort to learn to use them. I'm always very impressed by people who have mastered the skill.

Aug 06, 2021 02:10 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I must admit I possess no skill in the mastery of chopsticks.  I apparently am less civilized because of it!  The last time I tried them, there was a twist while I was trying to maneuver a sweet and sour shrimp from a platter to my plate.  The shrimp ended up looking like a tassel on the blouse of the gal sitting next to me.  I now surrender to my lack of chopstick prowess, and reach for a fork!

Aug 06, 2021 03:00 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy "Don't Drop Your Chop Sticks" is a new one on me.  When I was in the Navy it was  something else we were cautioned not to drop ...... LOL

Aug 06, 2021 03:10 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I didn't know there were so many rules with chop sticks, thank you for sharing Kathy Streib 

Aug 06, 2021 03:27 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Kathy.

I've tried so many times to use chop sticks, had many different people show me, but I never got the hang of it.  I also learned not to ask what was being served.

Aug 07, 2021 02:05 AM
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

Good morning Kathy.  As I am reading your post, I am wonding why my parents never took me to one of these 9 or 11 course dinners.  I also great up in Houston.  I remember the first time I went to a Chinese Buffet, I was wondering what some of the food was.  I decided, not to ask and just try it, thinking I don't want to know what it is and it looks good.  That is so funny about you asking and the duck feet-now that's why I didn't ask.  Thanks for sharing your stories - I always enjoy reading your post.  

Aug 07, 2021 04:30 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

I am a firm believer in don't ask what you may not want to hear the answer to...no matter what it pertains to.  Mark

Aug 07, 2021 08:02 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy you bought me some funny memories back... Boston MA 1989.... drunk in China Town of Boston... in a superb Chinese Restaurant... I did not drop but broke a few Chop Sticks... the staff loved me before so they had a good laugh too:))Endre

Aug 07, 2021 11:59 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael Jacobs we were told it was bad luck but maybe our parents did that so we wouldn't try to play drums with them!!

Wayne Martin My thing is I love to eat Chinese food and chopsticks are too slow for me. 

Aug 09, 2021 07:27 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kat Palmiotti you won"t believe this but they were good however I never ate them again. 

Brian England I'm pretty good with them but if I'm hungry I want a fork!!!

Aug 09, 2021 07:30 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Will Hamm it's too tempting for a kid not to want to use your chopsticks as drumsticks. 

 

Roy Kelley When I was a child it was hard for me to use them but I think that once I got the hang of it, it was easy. 

Aug 09, 2021 07:32 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sham Reddy CRS I'll use them once in a while just so I won't forget how to use them. 

Ron and Alexandra Seigel We want to return to the one we went to in Houston's Chinatown before Covid closed everything. 


Aug 09, 2021 07:34 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Joan Cox I'm not that picky and will try just about anything. 

Rocky Dickerson If you like Chinese food, it's a great way!!!


 

Aug 09, 2021 07:35 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nina Hollander, Broker I prefer the knife and fork only because I can eat more that way!!

Grant Schneider I often started out with chopsticks then switched to the good old fork. 

Aug 09, 2021 07:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRB, Phoenix Broker we were torn between asking and being told not to or asking and having them tell us!

Sharon Tara I've had friends who use them better than I do. I used to get a cramp in my hand from trying to use them. 

Aug 09, 2021 07:39 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Myrl Jeffcoat that sounds like the scene from Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts tried to eat a snail!!!

 

No kidding George Souto too funny..

Aug 09, 2021 07:40 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS I don't know if they're rules, but you just assume they are when you're a kid. 

James Dray that was one of the first things I learned!!!

Aug 09, 2021 07:41 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Brenda J. Andrew I knew you were in Texas but didn't know you'd lived in Houston. These dinners were given by family groups so you would never see them in a regular Chinese restaurant. Since I've returned to Houston, I'm trying to relearn my way around.

Aug 09, 2021 07:44 PM
Brenda J. Andrew

Hi Kathy, I grew up in Houston but moved to Corpus Christi 20 years ago.  Houston has grown so much, I have a hard time getting around now. It still sounds like a fun experience! Have a great day!

Aug 10, 2021 05:56 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint good idea. All it took was one or two questions about what we were eating and we never asked again. 

Ok Endre Barath, Jr. that's a first...never heard of anyone breaking a chopstick!!!!

Aug 09, 2021 07:45 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy those were the days I would start drinking Tanqueray Tonic and Lime from 5pm until the bars closed 1-2am with clients and friends:) 30 drinks later we would go to the 24/7 gourmet Chinese restaurant in Chinatown of Boston.... in those days $200-$300 dinners.... and I did not realize my strength I wonder if Ocean Wealth is still around??? :)))

Aug 09, 2021 10:20 PM