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I was dragged along by Reiko to In Her Shoes yesterday which has just been released in Japan. I didn`t think that much of the movie but what struck me was the appalling ability of the seemingly cosmopolitan cast to use chopsticks correctly. They were being used with the dexterity of a two year old. Being held at the bottom end of the sticks with a gap at the maximum stretch of 1cm. (Thanks to Jacke for the picture.

And who orders three octopuses and three sea urchin for sushi meal? Where`s the tuna, salmon or prawn? Or have I just got uneducated tastes?

This was by a person (a lawyer) who frequented a Japanese restaurant enough to know the names of the dishes in Japanese and who asked for certain dishes that weren`t even on the menu and then who ate those said items so badly?

This thing bothers me for some unexplainable reason. I use chopsticks everyday and even though I know anyone using chopsticks in the company of a Japanese person will be praised for their skill even if they have noodles trailing down their shirt, I know I use chopsticks well. This is of course thanks to my teacher (Reiko) who guided me from said noodles trailing down my shirt with hand cramp level to the dizzying heights I have attained.

Wikipedia has a section on How to use chopsticks correctly. I suggest they read it.

Technorati Tags: Japan, Osaka, Asia, Quaisi, Kansai, Expat, English, Chopsticks, In Her Shoes