Aww thanks, @TheCookie. Yes, there’s a Dionne Warwick version too. Happy New Year!
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[quote=“J_L, post:16, topic:4224, full:true”]
Two chopsticks sticking up out of bowl = Bad mojo (in certain Asian cultures). FYI.
[/quote]I had a conversation about this with my cousin this week. Did I mention my cousins are half Japanese? Yes you did! Anyway, I told her about this thread and asked her why they have never bothered to teach me these things. Am I too much of a heathen? She said “That really only counts in Japan!” Then she thought about it and said “Or high-end Japanese restaurants.” I raised my eyebrows, like “Bingo!” She said “Really? It’s like that? I’m going to start lurking on your food board.”
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It’s safer to assume that East Asian cultures in general would find the chopsticks stuck upright in a bowl would be disconcerting in almost all settings anywhere. It’s considered bad luck, bad manners and disrespectful.
My maternal grandmother was intolerant of bad behavior/manners. At the age of four, I first visited her in Japan. Over that 3 1/2 month visit, I got in so much trouble with her because of - my behavior/manners. It must have been torture for her.
Kids will learn at a very early age that sticking their chopsticks upright in their rice bowls is a serious transgression. It’s natural and seemingly practical to do this act. I did it several times, even after my grandma got all over me constantly - I was a stubborn trouble maker. I didn’t see the reasoning behind this fopaux so I didn’t pay heed - until my fraternal grandma passed away and I saw the symbolic (unmatched) chopsticks upright in the rice bowl.
Dining etiquette is sort of whatever in our society. I think beyond the level of picking one’s nose in public or using an eating utensil to probe one’s ear, it doesn’t seem to be a priority. I’m not a charm school PhDer but I do try not to gross out others when I’m eating. And I think this subject just falls in line with the same attitude.
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Well, I’m definitely not doing it anymore regardless, and am glad it was brought to my attention. The one I forget is the chopsticks on the plate in sushi restaurants. I start out with the holder then embarrassingly forget.
My cousin definitely agreed that is bad luck and bad manners. I think she was probably trying to make light of it for my sake. Plus, there was a bit of the rebellious daughter in her tone. Anyway, I thought is was an interesting exchange to share.
Don’t get it twisted about “our” society though. Ever heard of Emily Post? L.A. might be a little loose. But there are definite rules on etiquette for some of us. I think they don’t have as much to do with bad luck or religious symbolism though. Hence, my use of the term “heathen” 
. But believe me there are rules.
I mean no offense. I probably shouldn’t join in on these topics. They can make one feel like a bit of an outsider.
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Some supposed rules are ridiculous. It’s nobody’s business which hand I use to hold my knife or fork.
Wish I felt that way. But I don’t.
http://downtownindependent.ning.com/events/la-times-food-bowl-presents-tampopo
5/14 Monday 1900-2100 at Downtown Independent.
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The Criterion Collection put out a Blu-Ray.
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