Hi, I’m new in Taiwan and learning to use chopsticks. Is it correct that using the left hand is considered impolite?
It is correct to eat with the chopsticks in whatever way is possible for you.
Slopping food all over yourself, the table, and others (because you are attempting to use your sub-dominant hand) is consider rude.
[quote=“Lili”]It is correct to eat with the chopsticks in whatever way is possible for you.
Slopping food all over yourself, the table, and others (because you are attempting to use your sub-dominant hand) is consider rude.[/quote]
Thanks, that helps. Bear with me, because I’m not used to the culture, but I remember hearing somewhere that farting during a meal is NOT a faux pas. Is that really true?
That’s correct. Belching, picking your teeth, chugging down wine like beer (“gan bei!”), and spitting chicken bones onto the table is mostly OK, too. However, if you are in the military or police force, it is advisable to put a stained shirt over your uniform so as not to let the side down.
I’ve never heard that. Taiwan and the west were both backwards and ignorant about left-handedness back in the day. My first grade teacher beat me up about it in Australia in the early 70s but I’ve never been hassled about it in Taiwan.
Worst thing is if you are sitting next to a right-handed person when using chopsticks, you need to give yourself some space so you are not elbowing each other.
The manager of the first school I worked at once asked me why foreigners always use their left hand to write. I told her it’s not all foreigners, just me. She said ‘Teacher Brian also uses his left hand.’
People will just think you are foreign, not rude.
No. Sticking them into steamed dumplings and doing the Charlie Chaplin dance is though and I have the scars to prove it. :aiyo:
Yes there are far more things you shouldn’t do with chopsticks. ie Never poke them standing up in the food.
Some people who don’t know how to speak English very well may use the word “impolite” to mean “unconventional”.
Others might just be pig-ignernt.
Enlightened individuals know that left-handedness is just another human trait, and not something to be discouraged or changed.
Worst thing is if you are sitting next to a right-handed person when using chopsticks, you need to give yourself some space so you are not elbowing each other.
[/quote]
I can attest to this personally - one of my friends and my boyfriend are both left handed - any time I eat with them at a restaurant I have to make sure to sit on the correct side of them or its just disastrous - especially if you’re sharing plates re chao style… I’ve lost plenty a dumpling/chopstick full of food by getting bumped. But, other than my slight inconvenience - I’ve never once heard or seen anyone comment on the fact that they’re using chopsticks with their left hands.
However, as someone mentioned - don’t stick them straight up in your dish, and if you’re holding your rice bowl (or any bowl), you aren’t supposed to cup it from the bottom either, or so I was told. Who knows? Maybe that’s more silly misunderstanding though. I don’t do it anyways because a hot bowl of food directly in my palm usually isn’t very comfortable.
Many boxer are left hand.
When before I do Muay Thai I hate to fight.
I think also tennis.
When I school teacher not let student write left hand.
That’s not true. The word sinister comes from the Latin for on the left hand or left side. That’s because left handed people are evil, much like red-headed people. Red-headed people who write with their left hands are particularly evil. Don’t tell me the Romans were wrong. I know, what have the Romans ever done for us?
Moreover, being left-handed is a choice.
Moreover, being left-handed is a choice.[/quote]
It comes from an overly fussy and protective mother.
Maybe someone from Taiwan can answer, but i know some Taiwanese that were forced as kids to use chopsticks with right hand even though they are left handed and prefer left-handed. One even had the chopsticks rubberbanded to her right hand when she cried. She now does everything with left hand except use chopsticks.
I have no idea on why they do this, but the parents told them left hand was wrong for chopsticks and gave them the impression that people that are deficient in some way use the left hand. Mabye it so everyone at a round table can eat with the same hand and not bump elbows.
Guilty.
Hmmmm… 
…bidness idea…Left-Handed Chopsticks!
[quote=“tango42”]Maybe someone from Taiwan can answer, but i know some Taiwanese that were forced as kids to use chopsticks with right hand even though they are left handed and prefer left-handed. One even had the chopsticks rubberbanded to her right hand when she cried. She now does everything with left hand except use chopsticks.
I have no idea on why they do this, but the parents told them left hand was wrong for chopsticks and gave them the impression that people that are deficient in some way use the left hand. Mabye it so everyone at a round table can eat with the same hand and not bump elbows.[/quote]
:roflmao:
That’s not true. The word sinister comes from the Latin for on the left hand or left side. That’s because left handed people are evil, much like red-headed people. Red-headed people who write with their left hands are particularly evil. Don’t tell me the Romans were wrong. I know, what have the Romans ever done for us?[/quote]
:roflmao: 
Guilty.[/quote]
I knew it! All those times we have debated/argued in IP the reason was obvious!
So, um, why was that, sam? Was there a particular reason or was it just because that’s what everyone else does? Did the student also have red hair?