Small table forks only became popular in Europe outside the Italian regions around the 16th century. Northern Europeans didn't fully adopt forks until the 18th century. Before that, most Europeans ate solid foods with their hands. Some cooks for the wealthy had big forks for handling large meats.
I grew up with forks but got introduced to chopsticks around age 10. I thought chopsticks were better for everything except uncut steak and spaghetti. But of course they suck for everything if you aren't used to them...
Interesting! I have tried to use chopsticks and I would starve to death if that was all I had......or I would eat with my fingers.
My next door neighbor are Japanese, I wonder if they use chopsticks.
Chopsticks are excellent for spaghetti, more so than a fork. You need to gain experience with chopsticks to enjoy their beneficial use. I am quite adept with them, and it is much easier to eat with them than with a fork. The one caveat I might add, is that I am speaking of Japanese chopsticks. I dislike Chinese style chopsticks which are round and slippery and generally useless. The Japanese engineered better chopsticks, with better gripping action. Once you learn to use them, you'll be able to scoop up large bundles of rice, vegetables, noodles, practically anything down to a single grain of rice. Much faster eating than with a fork, when time is a factor.