Avoid This Chopstick Gesture On Your Trip To China

When you're traveling through China, diving into delicious street food (Samantha Brown's favorite street food spot is Xi'an) and busy night markets is half the fun. But there are a handful of things tourists should never do when visiting China, and several have to do with handling chopsticks. First, never stick your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice. It might seem practical (after all, they're less likely to roll off the table from this position), but in Chinese culture, it has a pretty grim symbolism and is seen as bad luck.

A longstanding tradition dating back to ancient times is to stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice when offering it to the dead. It's believed that passed-on spirits can't eat the rice unless the chopsticks are sticking up. Sticking them upright into food also makes them look like incense sticks used at funerals. For more context, one Reddit user says "it's akin to drinking out of an urn." So just because you can do it (an urn is sort of cup-like, after all), doesn't mean you should.

Bringing death and funerals to mind during dinner is a surefire way to kill the buzz. It can be embarrassing, too, as other people might call you out on it, from strangers to restaurant owners.

Your chopsticks should always be matching in length. The Chinese have a saying: "sān cháng liǎng duǎn," which means "three long, two short." This refers to the boards used to construct coffins, and mismatched chopsticks can conjure up thoughts of funerals and coffins. Be sure not to drop your chopsticks, either. In Chinese culture, it's believed the noise can disturb the dead, who are peacefully resting in the ground.

Don't worry — you don't have to constantly hold them to avoid looking like an ignorant tourist. In many restaurants, you'll find a designated chopstick rest for convenience between bites. If not, lay them neatly on the table (keep them together!) beside your bowl instead. Don't cross them across your bowl, as this can be interpreted as an insult to the host. This might seem obvious, but don't play with your chopsticks (or poke at your food with them). The dinner table is not the time or place to show off your drumming skills, and tapping them on your bowl reminds people of beggars. Pointing at people with your chopsticks is also considered rude.

Chinese culture is all about honor and respect — for example, one reason tourists should never offer to split the check in China is that paying for the meal is traditionally considered an honorable gesture. So mishandling your chopsticks can come across as downright disrespectful. Being mindful of chopstick etiquette helps you blend in and shows your appreciation and respect for Chinese culture, instantly making you more welcome at any table. Even if you're still mastering the art of gripping slippery dumplings, locals will appreciate your effort and cultural awareness.