I think chopsticks are dumb.

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Kaido
I use both. When my hand starts cramping up, I switch to my Knorks

what are knorks

It's like a Spork, only better:

http://www.knork.net/version2/default.asp

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Calculator83
This is a serious topic, Chopsticks are by all means LESS user friendly. Yes I can manipulate my computer just fine given command prompt, But it is JUST BETTER to have icons, + 3 clicks.

Not necessarily. User friendliness is not always better. Many tasks can be performed in command-line with far greater efficiency in the hands of a proficient user. The "better" is a combination of both. Incidentally I use a combination of western+eastern utensils when eating.

 

[Calculator83]

Hmmm.. Do these sell well?

I don't think that's a very sharp knife, too dangerous. ehh,,

Eventually though, ,I think people will just drink Shakes, or have some sort of lifesupport system implanted so they can run on ethanol, I mean,, How bout this food shortage from Increase rate of ethanol production,, Milk for 4 dollars,, ,FUKKKKKKK......

Eventually we'll argue which is the best Ethanol nozzle for your life support backpack

 

[Jhill]

If we would all just evolve and use sporks we would all be more efficient.

Sporks FTW.

 

[Calculator83]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: Calculator83
This is a serious topic, Chopsticks are by all means LESS user friendly. Yes I can manipulate my computer just fine given command prompt, But it is JUST BETTER to have icons, + 3 clicks.

Not necessarily. User friendliness is not always better. Many tasks can be performed in command-line with far greater efficiency in the hands of a proficient user. The "better" is a combination of both. Incidentally I use a combination of western+eastern utensils when eating.

That was only an example, of course you can argue that my example also has too many other variables, But the analogy is valid in MOST cases. And for something less varying like the fork vs chopsticks, It certainly is valid.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: tagej
Helloooo, mcfly.. fork and knife work with *any* food, not just limited to a particular ethnic food. Like I said, chopsticks are inferior. They only work passably with certain types of food.

and those "billions" of people you refer to eat chinese food almost every day. Why should they switch to utensils that are not optimized for their everyday food? Without having an intimate knowledge of what chinese people eat you are in no place to criticize their choice of utensils.

Oh come on, let's use some damn common sense here (I'll give you a pass, since you have none)

1. Forks/knives/spoons can be used to pick up, cut, or scoop just about any food. As another poster has stated, it doesn't just work with one country's food.

2. Do you really need an "intimate" knowledge of what someone eats in order to figure out how to pick up food? Seriously now...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Chopsticks are stupid. What the hell is the point? It sure as hell isn't more efficient. I've always finished my meal about twice as fast using a fork as the other guy trying to use chopsticks.

The only thing left is that people think they are special when they use them (i'm talking about white people who use them). I can understand if you are asian and you are just used to them, but there is NO reason for anyone else to use them.

Do you win a medal for finishing your meal faster?

 

[oiprocs]

Fat people don't like chopsticks because they can't grab food as fast. This can make them incredibly upset.

Hence why America never established chopsticks as part of its culture.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
I actually think its harder to use forks than chopsticks.

I don't know about you, but Chopsticks are much better for eating than forks. I can eat individual grains of rice, not struggle to pick up peas, eat noodles without them slipping off my fork and do all kinds of neat stuff.

I thought Koreans didn't use chopsticks...

... wow.

As per Wikipedia:

Unlike other chopstick cultures, Koreans use a spoon for their rice and soup, and chopsticks for most other things at the table. (Traditionally, Korean spoons have a relatively flat, circular head with a straight handle, unlike Chinese or Japanese soup spoons.)

Looks like I thought half-right.

i'm pretty sure all asian cultures use spoons for their soups

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare
<---revokes your Chinese card

<---revokes your Human card

For supporting PETA

I think vegetarians are awesome.

If God hadn't wanted you to eat pigs, he wouldn't have made them out of bacon

 

[Saint Michael]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
I actually think its harder to use forks than chopsticks.

I don't know about you, but Chopsticks are much better for eating than forks. I can eat individual grains of rice, not struggle to pick up peas, eat noodles without them slipping off my fork and do all kinds of neat stuff.

I thought Koreans didn't use chopsticks...

... wow.

As per Wikipedia:

Unlike other chopstick cultures, Koreans use a spoon for their rice and soup, and chopsticks for most other things at the table. (Traditionally, Korean spoons have a relatively flat, circular head with a straight handle, unlike Chinese or Japanese soup spoons.)

Looks like I thought half-right.

i'm pretty sure all asian cultures use spoons for their soups

And for their rice? No.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: tagej
Helloooo, mcfly.. fork and knife work with *any* food, not just limited to a particular ethnic food. Like I said, chopsticks are inferior. They only work passably with certain types of food.

and those "billions" of people you refer to eat chinese food almost every day. Why should they switch to utensils that are not optimized for their everyday food? Without having an intimate knowledge of what chinese people eat you are in no place to criticize their choice of utensils.

Oh come on, let's use some damn common sense here (I'll give you a pass, since you have none)

1. Forks/knives/spoons can be used to pick up, cut, or scoop just about any food. As another poster has stated, it doesn't just work with one country's food.

2. Do you really need an "intimate" knowledge of what someone eats in order to figure out how to pick up food? Seriously now...

1. Most of the time they work fine. But for some very common food shapes chopsticks are easier, at least in my opinion. such cases include long and thin pieces of food (say 3-5 cm in length) and things floating in hot soups. Maybe you find forks easier but I don't.

2. It's not about figuring out how to pick up food, it's about knowing which utensil is the optimal for that type of food. e.g. I wouldn't use chopsticks to eat western style food.

You could argue that Chinese food evolved under the influence of chopsticks, and if chopsticks weren't used in the first place, then chopsticks wouldn't be optimal for eating chinese food. That maybe but it is too late now to change an entire food culture so for practical purposes chopsticks are still better for chinese food. and honestly is it really that difficult? if 1+ billion people can use it fine, so can anyone. It's not like learning chopsticks you have to giv eup something; if anything it improves your dexerity.

 

[Calculator83]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare
<---revokes your Chinese card

<---revokes your Human card

For supporting PETA

I think vegetarians are awesome.

If God hadn't wanted you to eat pigs, he wouldn't have made them out of bacon

I tried a veggie diet and couldn't bench my norm within a week. But the point is Vegetarians have some awesome tasting food to eat. Try Roasted Vegetables with Bree penini

 

[Double Trouble]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: tagej
Helloooo, mcfly.. fork and knife work with *any* food, not just limited to a particular ethnic food. Like I said, chopsticks are inferior. They only work passably with certain types of food.

and those "billions" of people you refer to eat chinese food almost every day. Why should they switch to utensils that are not optimized for their everyday food? Without having an intimate knowledge of what chinese people eat you are in no place to criticize their choice of utensils.

Oh come on, let's use some damn common sense here (I'll give you a pass, since you have none)

1. Forks/knives/spoons can be used to pick up, cut, or scoop just about any food. As another poster has stated, it doesn't just work with one country's food.

2. Do you really need an "intimate" knowledge of what someone eats in order to figure out how to pick up food? Seriously now...

1. Most of the time they work fine. But for some very common food shapes chopsticks are easier, at least in my opinion. such cases include long and thin pieces of food (say 3-5 cm in length) and things floating in hot soups. Maybe you find forks easier but I don't.

2. It's not about figuring out how to pick up food, it's about knowing which utensil is the optimal for that type of food. e.g. I wouldn't use chopsticks to eat western style food.

Like I said, bottom line, chopsticks are inferior to forks and knives, no matter how you turn it. Sure, for those accustomed to using chopsticks they might be fine with certain types of food, but forks and knives can be used with anything and work fine. It's just a matter of pride and tradition that keeps people from converting to clearly better things. Same thing that's keeping the US from using the metric system -- it's clearly superior in every way, but because of tradition / pride and plain fear of something different than what we're used to, we stick with a hodgepodge of systems.

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare
<---revokes your Chinese card

<---revokes your Human card

For supporting PETA

I think vegetarians are awesome.

If God hadn't wanted you to eat pigs, he wouldn't have made them out of bacon

I tried a veggie diet and couldn't bench my norm within a week. But the point is Vegetarians have some awesome tasting food to eat. Try Roasted Vegetables with Bree penini

ill eat anything as long as i get to wrap it in bacon.

 

[Saint Michael]

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare
<---revokes your Chinese card

<---revokes your Human card

For supporting PETA

I think vegetarians are awesome.

If God hadn't wanted you to eat pigs, he wouldn't have made them out of bacon

I tried a veggie diet and couldn't bench my norm within a week. But the point is Vegetarians have some awesome tasting food to eat. Try Roasted Vegetables with Bree penini

Uh, people who eat meat can still eat "vegetarian" food... what sets vegetarians apart is not what they eat, it's what the don't eat.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare
<---revokes your Chinese card

<---revokes your Human card

For supporting PETA

I think vegetarians are awesome.

If God hadn't wanted you to eat pigs, he wouldn't have made them out of bacon

I tried a veggie diet and couldn't bench my norm within a week. But the point is Vegetarians have some awesome tasting food to eat. Try Roasted Vegetables with Bree penini

ill eat anything as long as i get to wrap it in bacon.

bacon wrapped steak....mmmmm

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: Nitemare
<---revokes your Chinese card

<---revokes your Human card

For supporting PETA

I think vegetarians are awesome.

If God hadn't wanted you to eat pigs, he wouldn't have made them out of bacon

I tried a veggie diet and couldn't bench my norm within a week. But the point is Vegetarians have some awesome tasting food to eat. Try Roasted Vegetables with Bree penini

ill eat anything as long as i get to wrap it in bacon.

bacon wrapped steak....mmmmm

:thumbsup:

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: Calculator83

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Chopsticks are stupid. What the hell is the point? It sure as hell isn't more efficient. I've always finished my meal about twice as fast using a fork as the other guy trying to use chopsticks.

The only thing left is that people think they are special when they use them (i'm talking about white people who use them). I can understand if you are asian and you are just used to them, but there is NO reason for anyone else to use them.

It can't always be about efficiency.

I mean, why drink wine from an expensive crystal glass? Wouldn't it be more efficient to just show up to the fancy restaurant wearing one of those beer-helmets with drinking tubes? Then the waiter could just pour your port into the reservoir tank and you wouldn't even have to reach for a silly, non-efficient glass!

And they could run your steak through a pasta machine, so you could slurp it up!

There is merit to drinking from different cups made from different materials. Different metals taste different and the way it contacts your lips is different, "texture, etc"

Minor differences but there is a difference..

Back to chopsticks though,, No difference really in Purpose,, Yet requires more effort to manipulate.

For those who wants my "Chinese Card", Well, You can't have it, because I'm a champion at that wet marbles game where one has to remove wet marbles from one cup to the next.

This is a serious topic, Chopsticks are by all means LESS user friendly. Yes I can manipulate my computer just fine given command prompt, But it is JUST BETTER to have icons, + 3 clicks.

i think there is a place for everything. can you eat a steak with chopsticks? Probably pretty damn hard. But many other foods, such as Shanghai dumplings, would be crushed under the bluntness of a fork. You NEED chopsticks to pick them up and eat them properly. Forks would just pierce the skin rendering them bad and spoons aren't able to scoop them up.

Also, I don't know about you, but it's pretty clumsy to eat soup noodles with forks. Someone who doesn't know how to use chopsticks might not feel this way , but I think you would agree in this case (since you seem proficient in the use of chopsticks).

There are a whole host of other things. Would you eat salad with chopsticks? Probably not. But what if you forked up a piece of meat and want to put it down? This is a big drawback. Its surely a lot harder to do that with a fork than with chopsticks.

So no, I have to disagree with tagej. Chopsticks are not inferior to forks at all, and forks/knives are not capable of eating most things. It only seems this way because we live in the western world. Many eastern foods are more delicate and require the precision and dexterity granted by chopsticks. For example, nigiri (assuming you don't want to use your hands).

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
I actually think its harder to use forks than chopsticks.

I don't know about you, but Chopsticks are much better for eating than forks. I can eat individual grains of rice, not struggle to pick up peas, eat noodles without them slipping off my fork and do all kinds of neat stuff.

I thought Koreans didn't use chopsticks...

... wow.

As per Wikipedia:

Unlike other chopstick cultures, Koreans use a spoon for their rice and soup, and chopsticks for most other things at the table. (Traditionally, Korean spoons have a relatively flat, circular head with a straight handle, unlike Chinese or Japanese soup spoons.)

Looks like I thought half-right.

i'm pretty sure all asian cultures use spoons for their soups

And for their rice? No.

actually, a lot of koreans use chopsticks with their rice. Sorry to disappoint.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: tagej
Like I said, bottom line, chopsticks are inferior to forks and knives, no matter how you turn it. Sure, for those accustomed to using chopsticks they might be fine with certain types of food, but forks and knives can be used with anything and work fine. It's just a matter of pride and tradition that keeps people from converting to clearly better things. Same thing that's keeping the US from using the metric system -- it's clearly superior in every way, but because of tradition / pride and plain fear of something different than what we're used to, we stick with a hodgepodge of systems.

Anything a fork can do, chopsticks can. Chopsticks also afford much greater finesse which is very important in chinese cuisine. I'm not throwing the knife in there because in terms of function, knives are in a different category altogether and there's no reason why one can't use chopsticks with a knife. The only real argument I've seen against the chopsticks is that they are hard to use. Honestly if 10 year old kids in China can use them, it can't be all that hard. I don't remember having to spend effort to "learn" it. Heck most of the time I've always preferred using a spoon.

 

[grohl]

I'm white. I love using chopsticks with noodle dishes. If I wouldn't look like a goon I'd use them eating italian food.

 

[Saint Michael]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
actually, a lot of koreans use chopsticks with their rice. Sorry to disappoint.

Along with Wikipedia we have this:

Use spoon for rice and foods with liquid such as kimchi, stew, or soup; use chopsticks for other foods.

http://english.tour2korea.com/....asp?konum=1&kosm=m5_5

That's from the official Korean tourism agency. It looks like Koreans who use chopsticks for rice are either ignorant of or are ignoring their own traditions.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
actually, a lot of koreans use chopsticks with their rice. Sorry to disappoint.

Along with Wikipedia we have this:

Use spoon for rice and foods with liquid such as kimchi, stew, or soup; use chopsticks for other foods.

http://english.tour2korea.com/....asp?konum=1&kosm=m5_5

That's from the official Korean tourism agency. It looks like Koreans who use chopsticks for rice are either ignorant of or are ignoring their own traditions.

you're right, because when I'm eating food in my own home, I also:

taste soup/kimchi juice before trying rice and other dishes
do not make noise when eating
do not rummage rice/side dishes
do not leave any trace of food on my spoon
wrap bones and fish bones in paper to discard
try to keep pace with others when eating
and put my spoon/chopsticks where they were placed.

 

[Saint Michael]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Saint Michael

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
actually, a lot of koreans use chopsticks with their rice. Sorry to disappoint.

Along with Wikipedia we have this:

Use spoon for rice and foods with liquid such as kimchi, stew, or soup; use chopsticks for other foods.

http://english.tour2korea.com/....asp?konum=1&kosm=m5_5

That's from the official Korean tourism agency. It looks like Koreans who use chopsticks for rice are either ignorant of or are ignoring their own traditions.

you're right, because when I'm eating food in my own home, I also:

taste soup/kimchi juice before trying rice and other dishes
do not make noise when eating
do not rummage rice/side dishes
do not leave any trace of food on my spoon
wrap bones and fish bones in paper to discard
try to keep pace with others when eating
and put my spoon/chopsticks where they were placed.

It's not my fault if you don't do those things, I'm not a cultural enforcer, merely a cultural pointer-outer. The point of using a spoon with rice is also much less severe than any of the customs you mentioned, and I'm sure it's more likely to be followed in Korea. You know, the country where Koreans are. Judging from your profile you're from America.