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May 8, 2002

I was 6 by the time I learned how to use chopsticks, and only after I asked my parents to teach me. Although they did tell me that I wasn't interested in learning before.

Just a few days ago we were at some dinner party with family and friends of family. All the kids who were all a year or two younger (and a foot or two smaller) teased me for using a fork.

I had no idea that chopsticks were that important. If they teased me about something stupid I had done, I could live with it. But I was never informed that my Chinese social status was dependant on my knowledge of eating utensils.

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Often at Chinese restaurants I found that if I said nothing to the waiter at first, they would lay a pair of chopsticks on the table. If I spoke up, then they would leave a fork and spoon.

These days most restaurants just hand you both...

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In high school, my friends would comment on the fact that I was the only one using a fork.

While they are fumbling around with their noodles, I'd just tell them that I'm too damned hungry and it's easier to shovel food in one's mouth with a fork.