MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 10

And the correct answer is…

Chopsticks should not be placed vertically in any bowl you are using during a meal.

In Japan, the only time chopsticks should be placed vertically in a bowl of food is when the food is being used in rituals reserved to honor the dead.

Ancestors in Japan are remembered by their families with an offering of food, drink, and incense. This is to support the deceased in their journey onward.

In these offerings, it is common for a bowl of rice to have chopsticks standing vertically in the center. The chopsticks (pronounced hashi in Japanese) serve as the bridge (also pronounced hashi) between the worlds of the living and the dead. By burying the end of chopsticks in food, one is symbolically delivering food to the other side.

Therefore, mimicking this funeral food presentation practice during regular mealtime is considered taboo.

When not using your chopsticks, rest them on a chopstick holder.

Image by Flickr Creative Commons

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 9

And the correct answer is…

Chopsticks should not be held before picking up a bowl.

When eating a Japanese meal, you should first pick up the bowl or vessel you will eat from and then pick up your chopsticks.

First, take the bowl with both hands and place it on your non-dominant hand (for many, the left hand). Second, pick up the chopsticks with your dominant hand (for many, the right hand) and pinch them between the fingers of the hand holding the bowl. Lastly, return with your dominant hand, grasp the chopsticks properly, and release the chopsticks from the fingers of your non-dominant hand.

When changing bowls, first put down your chopsticks, then change bowls. Only after you have picked up the second bowl should you pick up your chopsticks again.

Images courtesy of Hitosara

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 8

And the correct answer is…

Chopsticks were invented to pick up food not to pull plates/bowls toward you.

The practice of using your chopsticks to move something like a plate or bowl closer to you is called yosebashi (寄せ箸; よせばし) and it is considered to be poor manners in Japan.

Chopsticks should only be used to eat food. As the tips have been in your mouth, using chopsticks to move a bowl or plate is considered unsanitary.

While you may be enticed to try to drag a small bowl of pickled vegetables or your own soup bowl toward you, use your hands or have someone else pass the desired dish to you.

Image courtesy of Hitosara

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 7

And the correct answer is…

Disposable chopsticks should never be rubbed against each other before use.

While waribashi, or disposable chopsticks that need to be broken apart before using, are mass produced to create a less expensive eating utensil, rubbing them together is neither necessary nor polite.

Rubbing your chopsticks together before usage tells the restaurant/chef that you believe the chopsticks to be of poor quality. It can also put into question your ability to appreciate the food you are being served.

If you notice that your chopsticks are splintery or uneven, ask for another pair rather than rubbing the sides.

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 6

And the correct answer is…

Chopsticks should be kept in a parallel position whenever possible.

Not only is it improper to cross the working ends of your chopsticks while eating, leaving your chopsticks crossed on your plate or bowl is a major faux pas when it comes to Japanese culture.

When you are not using your chopsticks, keep them neatly together, parallel with tips pointing to the left.

If you are provided with a chopstick holder, place the chopsticks there. If not, you can simply rest the chopsticks horizontally on your bowl or plate.

Do not rest them on the table as this is considered poor manners.

Be sure to also avoid making gestures or pointing at people with your chopsticks in hand.

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 5

And the correct answer is…

It is perfectly fine to use your chopsticks to maneuver food to your mouth while sipping.

In fact, this is what you should be doing.

When it comes to delicious soups or broths in Japan, most establishments do not offer spoons. This is especially true for miso soup. Instead, you should pick up your bowl to drink the liquid and use your chopsticks to pick up solid ingredients.

When you eat soup in Japan, hold the bowl in your non-dominant hand, four fingers on the bottom with your thumb on the lip to provide stability. With your dominant hand, use your chopsticks to grab the non-broth components, taking care as they will be more slippery. Occasionally bring the bowl to your mouth and sip your soup.

Enjoy your soup!

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 4

And the correct answer is…

You should slurp your noodles on each mouthful, not just the last.

As opposed to the U.S. where slurping any food will result in glares and chastisement, slurping noodles such as ramen, udon, or soba is perfectly acceptable behavior.

Some will say that this is to show your appreciation for the good food- that it was so good, you had to eat it while it was still too hot.

Additionally, slurping draws air over the noodles, adding to your perception of the taste of your food.

Happy Slurping!

Courtesy of Ivan Ramen/Daniel Krieger

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 3

And the correct answer is…

It is NOT good manners to pass food from your chopsticks to someone else’s.

Indeed, it is rather taboo because it is reminiscent of a funeral ritual in Japan where cremated remains of a loved one are passed between special chopsticks before internment.

If you need to pass food, use the communal chopsticks to move the item from one plate to another.

In the absence of communal chopsticks, turn your chopsticks around and use the end that hasn't been in your mouth.

This prevents cross-contamination and is much more appropriate.

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 2

And the correct answer is…

It is indeed acceptable to eat sushi with your hands.

In fact, you may even be encouraged to eat sushi with your hands by your sushi taisho (head chef).

The term “sushi” (すし, 寿司) actually refers to the ‘vinegared rice’ used to create the various delicacies that we have come to collectively call “sushi.”

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the most important part of sushi is the rice. Chefs train for years to master the art of making sushi rice, ensuring that taste, texture, and temperature are all complementary.

The rice is carefully molded by hand to form nigiri-zushi blocks that are then delicately assembled with ingredients.

Ideally, the hand-formed mounds of rice are packed loosely. In “packing air between the grains” of rice, the chef is able to create that coveted melt-in-the-mouth feel. Therefore, using your hands to eat ensures that the delicate balance of sushi is maintained.

Using chopsticks would squash the rice grains together, so chefs will pack the rice more tightly if the customer will be using chopsticks.

Here are some tips for eating sushi by hand:

When eating sushi with your hands, make sure to dip it in the soy sauce fish side down as the rice will absorb the sauce, disintegrate, and throw off the balance of the taste.

You should eat your nigiri-zushi fish side down as
well so that the fish is the first thing that touches your tongue.

Eating sushi by hand allows you to appreciate the
temperature and texture, making sushi a full sensory experience! 

Be sure to keep in mind that it is not acceptable to do the same with sashimi!

Enjoy!

MIND YOUR MANNERS--WEEK 1

And the correct answer is…

It is perfectly acceptable to hold your rice bowl when eating.

The manner of holding your rice bowl at chest level is an old practice. 

This style of eating is said to have developed during the Heian Period (794-1185) and continued through the Meiji Period (1868-1912), mainly because of the way in which meals were served. 

Traditionally, meals were eaten from individual low dining tables while sitting on a cushion placed on a tatami floor.

Therefore, it was considered proper etiquette to pick up the bowl with your hand and lead it close to your mouth when eating from it.

Now in our modern era, while most eat from taller tables while sitting in chairs, the practice of holding a rice or miso soup bowl (お茶碗) at chest level is still considered a basic table manner in Japan.

Note, however, larger types of dishes should generally not be picked up. When conflicted, use the “rule of palm.” If the dish fits in your palm, it is acceptable to pick up.

Welcome to Mind Your Manners Thursday

The Japanese have an extensive collection of manners and customs that are interesting to learn. 

These manners say much about Japan’s world view and its culture.

 What are good manners in Japan? 

How good do you think your Japanese manners are?

Every Thursday, we will be helping you “Mind Your Manners” as we test your knowledge of common Japanese customs and etiquette.

Participate by joining our Thursday poll at: https://www.facebook.com/japanamericahouston

Correct answers will be revealed later in the day.

Use this time at home to brush up on your manners with plain, sane and sensible tips.