Some may prefer to hold the chopstick on the side of their ring finger, with the tip of their ring finger holding it in place. This frees the middle finger to hold the other chopstick more securely and provides that one with more control. It is a more formal approach.
To get them even, you can tap them on the table. Uneven chopsticks will be very difficult to use.
If it helps, move your hand up and down the chopsticks, but maintaining the same position, experimenting with levels of grip. Some find it easier to maneuver closer to the base, others further up. You can practice your moves by having both chopsticks’ food ends touch each other repeatedly. [6] X Expert Source Yoko IsassiJapanese Food Specialist Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
Once you get good at one type of food, move onto different sizes and textures. When you start feeling really confident, practice with noodles!
Use a public pair of serving chopsticks that never touch your own (or anybody else’s) bowl of rice/food Pick with the other (non-eating) end of your chopsticks. That’s the broad end that hopefully, you’re not chewing on!
Don’t stick your chopsticks upright in your food. It’s looked at as a bad omen and is reminiscent of incense at funerals. Don’t spear your food with the ends of your chopsticks. If all else fails, it may seem like a good alternative, but it’s viewed as impolite. Don’t pass food from chopstick to chopstick. Also funeral protocol and viewed as bad (or even ominous) table behavior. Don’t cross your chopsticks. If you’re done eating, lay them to the side of your dish on the left. Don’t point at people with your chopsticks. Pointing, in general, is a no-no in Asian cultures and same goes with chopsticks. This page would be far too long if all the rules were listed. These are the basics.
You may feel a little like the Beast during his dinner with Belle, but rest assured, this is how it’s done. Don’t shovel the rice into your mouth like a caveman, but do lift up the bowl near to you to prevent rice drippings from accumulating around your eating area. Japan has slightly stricter rules regarding this. If you’re in China or Vietnam, for example, you may be able to shovel away. [10] X Research source
