We went to a 3rd year memorial service for Art's uncle at the temple over the weekend.
Art's aunt treated all of us to a luncheon at the Waimalu Chop Suey Restaurant. While we waited for our food, Art's cousin, Tsugi laughingly boasted that he could hold chopsticks on both hands since he was ambidextrous.
That's when Art noticed that Tsugi held his chopsticks using three fingers to manipulate the top chopstick. Art tried to show him that the proper way was to hold the top chopsticks with two fingers.
Tsugi's brother, Kazu chuckled and told us that he's always been embarrassed about not learning to hold chopsticks correctly. We all raised our eyebrows and (sorry to admit) burst out laughing uproariously when we saw that he held his chopsticks crossed! How does he ever hold his food?
And there was a lot of food! This is my plate and I certainly didn't finish it. We ate my leftovers for dinner.
That's when we got into the chopsticks wars. I told Art he was NOT holding his chopsticks properly.
My mother took Art's side. Wouldn't you know it? As a matter of fact, she holds it like Art. What the heck?
"NO", I said. "You're supposed to hold the top chopstick with three fingers and brace the bottom one on your ring finger." After all, how can you catch a fly like Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid, if you're not able to control that top chopstick better?My brother agreed with me later. He told Art he needs the strength of that third finger so he can lift heavier food to his mouth...hence (he laughed) his size compared to Art's.
When we went to my aunt's house, she agreed with my mother. She said the two fingered approach was much more graceful. However, my cousin who happened to be there agreed with me.
Well... I looked online and proved to my mother that I was right. She didn't like that. She said just because it says so online doesn't make it so. I don't think I want to admit to her OR Art that I found another website that said (maybe) they were right.
Ah well... should we discuss how we hold our forks?
Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody. And nope, I wouldn't use chopsticks for corned beef and cabbage. Knife and fork all the way!
