To: GSlob; llevrok
China had used forks in ancient times - in around Confucius's era and earlier. Knives were not used on tables though. At the time the forks would be more like the current two-pronged forks that you see being used to pick up snacks like cocktail food types, rather than three- or four-pronged versions we see in Western homes in our day.
Chopsticks later supplanted forks at home uses. Up until about 15 years ago there was a strong prejudice of using chopsticks vis-a-vis forks and knives among Hong Kong Chinese minds. A saying goes that "Chopsticks are the eating utensils that symbolize peace, while forks are the leftovers from the primitive warrior utensils used by barbarians." They have now disappeared in HK but still common in mainland China and even Taiwan.
4 posted on
05/14/2006 7:32:36 PM PDT by
NZerFromHK
(Leftism is like honey mixed with arsenic: initially it tastes good, but that will end up killing you)
To: NZerFromHK
Good News & Bad News -
Good News
Most, if not all, "woden Chinese chopsticks are actually made of bamboo - an easily and quickly renewable(regrows very fast) resource.
Bad News
These chopsticks are then "bleached" with chemicals to a uniform light color. This freaks my wife out immensely.
Good News
Plastic chopsticks do not contain dangerous bleaches and are re-usable many many times.
Bad News
Plastic chopstick require very hot water and detergent with anti-bacterial additives to make them safe for use. Almost all noodle shops & Chinese restaraunts use neither for washing their utensils.
Its always something...
5 posted on
05/14/2006 9:48:01 PM PDT by
Khurkris
(Don't blame me. I never answer the phone.)
To: NZerFromHK
"woden Chinese chopsticks
Should be - - "wooden Chinese made chopsticks"
6 posted on
05/14/2006 9:49:24 PM PDT by
Khurkris
(Don't blame me. I never answer the phone.)
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