One thing that people should know about chopsticks

There is one thing that always bothers me when I work at the Japanese restaurant in America. I've seen many people(non-Asian) like to stick their chopsticks into the bowl of rice. If one's familiar with Asian cultures, he should know that that is a very bad luck.

I don't know about other Asian countries; but in Chinese custom, when someone dies, his family will place a bowl of rice in front of the coffin, with a pair of chopsticks stuck in it. Sometimes they stick incense, too.

Whenever I saw customers doing that, I really really have strong desires to advise them changing this bad habit. It's not only because of bad luck, also it is very rude and bad manner. You wouldn't do the same thing with fork, according to etiquette; then you shouldn't do that with chopsticks.

The proper way to place chopsticks is not much different from silverware. The best way is to place them on the chopsticks holder, if you have one. Or you can simply put them flat down on the table. No matter what, never ever stick chopsticks into your rice.