Chopsticks

How people eat, and what they eat with has been quite fascinating. So far, there are only three methods: by hands, by utensils and by chopsticks. Of these three, eating by chopsticks seems to be the fastest, most economical and most sanitary way of picking up one's provision.

From own little corner, four countries stood out in using chopsticks: China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Of course, we have Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, but a huge portion of the population of these countries are using other form of eating.

And as for me, I use all three forms in eating. I feel however that using utensils (spoon and fork) do not allow me to feel the softness and texture of the food before I bite it. In using my hand, I could do that. Hence, in using my hand to eat, it is like my tonque is extended towards my hands.

But when I use chopsticks, while I cannot feel the texture nor the warmth of my food, I can somehow feel how soft it is. Regarless of how hot it is, I can easily take a pinch and sample it. In this world where we are always running with the clock, it seems the chopsticks, the throwaway chopsticks, seem the best form of eating.

Going deeper, it would be interesting how much of the countries' mobility, health issues and productivity are affected by the way people eat. Definitely what they eat, but simply how they eat. As I end this write up, I remember one point. Those who eat sandwiches in paper wrappers, are they eating with their hands, or do we consider eating with paper wrappers a form of eating, equivalent to using utensils?

What is the benefit of having a research linking GDP and Form of Eating? Perhaps, by altering the way we eat, we could enhance the GDP of a country, just perhaps.