Chopsticks

[beenee]

Why do people rub chopsticks between their palms before using them, especially after the chopsticks have just been dettached from each other in fast-food oriental joints?

[sft42]

I have been told in the past that this is to get rid of any splinters in the wood but i'm not 100% convinced of this one myself.

[stanbee]

In Japan and China a guest / patron who "sands" chopsticks is considered impolite and insulting to the host/ chef.. The implication, the utensils are of poor quality. In China the host rubs his chopsticks together, not the guests. Not certain of the meaning. This is probably the source of the confusion.

[beenee]

Thank you!

[charliep88]

in some chinese restaurants , for a nominal fee the host will rub the patrons together

[charliep88]

you rub  hopstix together to rempove splinters from the stick and to im,pale yourself so you have to eat with a freakin fork and knife