paul62tiger Posted April 17, 2005 at 11:11 PM Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 at 11:11 PM I have noticed when i go to a chinese restaurant with chinese friends the waitress always speaks to my friends and without asking, will bring me a knife and fork. So many times chinese friends complain the english stereotype them and, what do you know, it happen to me as well. One for the non chinese users - does this happen to you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ananda Posted April 18, 2005 at 07:55 AM Report Share Posted April 18, 2005 at 07:55 AM You or your friends should tell the waiter/waitress that you want them, and the big difference about chinese and western restaurants is that chinese waiters won't ask everybody what you want, how you want to cook them, and with what seasoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul62tiger Posted April 19, 2005 at 12:04 AM Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 at 12:04 AM Supprises the hell out of them when i say i don't want them and ask for chopsticks in mandarin. My chinese is still bu hao, but getting better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko Posted April 20, 2005 at 08:53 AM Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 at 08:53 AM When they bring your a knife and fork, tell them that you don't need them; you want to use your hands. See what reaction that gets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul62tiger Posted April 20, 2005 at 11:46 PM Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 at 11:46 PM Interesting idea - but may skip that one. Still, nice site - well worth a visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko Posted April 21, 2005 at 01:56 PM Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 at 01:56 PM Thanks Paul. Glad to get another visitor. When you talk about Chinese restaurants, do you mean in the UK? I have been eating Chinese food for a long time in Taiwan. I don't think anyone ever offered me a knife and forkin a restaurant here. It just would not occur to them as they are just not used to non-Chinese. Besides they would not be likely to have a set of table knives and fork - just don't use them. When my mum visited she was making awful mess of her white shirt one lunchtime, so I asked for a fork. They din't have one. When we think of Chinese food everyone always think of chopsticks because they are so different to western utensils. We often forget the other major Chinese utensil, prboably because it is not so exotic - the spoon. They are always available. The only places providing knifes and forks are the restaurants with 'foreign' food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul62tiger Posted April 21, 2005 at 10:47 PM Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 at 10:47 PM Hi again Jacko, Yes you got it - always in the Uk. I am interested to find out what happens when i visit malaysia. I suspect that in the chinese resautants chopsticks will be the norm. It won't be so strange for me to be the only non chinese in the room as this is oft the case when i go for dim sum here, but will still be interesting to see the reaction to me outside the cities. i expect the in the smaller towns i will visit they don't see too many english. Still, if the malaysian chinese i have met here are a sample of the people i will meet there, i will be made very welcome. As a final note, i never forget the spoon - how could i eat the porridge without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Lee Posted April 21, 2005 at 11:44 PM Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 at 11:44 PM In the Chinese restaurants in Hawaii, chopsticks is also the norm. Unless you ask, you are only provided with chopsticks even though you are a Caucasan because all locals know how to use chopsticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Soup Posted April 22, 2005 at 04:14 AM Report Share Posted April 22, 2005 at 04:14 AM In the Chinese restaurants in Hawaii' date=' chopsticks is also the norm.Unless you ask, you are only provided with chopsticks even though you are a Caucasan because all locals know how to use chopsticks.[/quote'] It's pretty much the same in San Francisco. In the more touristy areas, they will often bring both chopsticks and a fork to everybody. In New York I've had the experience of waiters pointedly bringing me a fork even when I'm dining with my Chinese wife, and feel insulted by it for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo-Ann Posted April 24, 2005 at 08:42 PM Report Share Posted April 24, 2005 at 08:42 PM Not only do I ask for chopsticks in Chinese, but I also ask for a bowl of rice. Instant respect. (Not that they didn't respect me in the first place--- but you know what I mean.) Also, after a couple or more visits, I don't even have to ask! Jacko-- good information on your site. I've bookmarked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James888 Posted April 25, 2005 at 05:56 AM Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 at 05:56 AM Jo-Ann, thats just what I do (and have to do!) everytime. Usually acts as an ice-breaker witht he waiters too . James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo-Ann Posted April 26, 2005 at 03:00 AM Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 at 03:00 AM Jo-Ann, thats just what I do (and have to do!) everytime. Usually acts as an ice-breaker witht he waiters too . James And one big plus is that after a few visits, the waiters automatically bring the pickled vegetables or peanuts ---- instead of the fried eggroll chips with the orange duck sauce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul62tiger Posted April 26, 2005 at 11:20 PM Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 at 11:20 PM James888 and Jo-Ann, true about the ice breaker - and the respect. Today I was invited to dinner with some malay chinese friends at their house -The house mates that don't know me can't hide their shock when they see me. Happens every time but a quick "ni hao" removes the tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzo Posted May 10, 2005 at 08:11 PM Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 at 08:11 PM Okay, I have to ask a dumb question. How do you say "chopsticks" in Mandarin? (Pinyin please.) Seems pretty essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraldc Posted May 10, 2005 at 09:19 PM Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 at 09:19 PM 筷子 Kuai4zi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Lee Posted May 11, 2005 at 02:07 AM Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 at 02:07 AM The best quality chopsticks are those made in ivory. It is easy to maneuvre, endurable and never bends. I really miss them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo-Ann Posted May 12, 2005 at 01:30 AM Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 at 01:30 AM The best quality chopsticks are those made in ivory. It is easy to maneuvre' date=' endurable and never bends.I really miss them.[/quote'] Yes. I have a couple pair of ivory tipped ones that I bought before the ban. I cherish them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parasite Posted May 14, 2005 at 06:23 AM Report Share Posted May 14, 2005 at 06:23 AM The best quality chopsticks are those made in ivory. It is easy to maneuvre' date=' endurable and never bends.I really miss them.[/quote'] LOL. Personally I don't need to *endure* any type of chop sticks, they are all not just endurabe to me, but ofttimes downright convenient (try chatting away on IRC whilst eating doritos w/o filthifying your keyboard). If you have to have ivory just to be able to endure using such implements, you ought to just consider using altogether different implements altogether! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul62tiger Posted May 22, 2005 at 01:15 AM Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2005 at 01:15 AM well here i am in malaysia where i have found, to my delight, it is assumed i am able to use chopsticks. And for you guys from over here - the place is great. For those who have not been - try it. As for the best type of chopsticks i have always used plastic or wood - don't like to hurt animals for anything other than food. Or will this open a new debate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzo Posted May 22, 2005 at 08:22 PM Report Share Posted May 22, 2005 at 08:22 PM No debate, paul62tiger, as trade in ivory is banned internationally because, like you, most people don't want animals hurt for no reason other than so we can make ornamental things from their parts. However, like the others above, if I were presented with an opportunity to acquire a pair that I could be certain pre-dated the ban, I'd go for it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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