Corrrect way of displaying chopsticks

[yang88]

Dear cecil,
I read somewhere that chinese people consider it inauspicious to display chopsticks in vertical position. Is it true. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
Yes, usually, chopsticks (for eating) i.e. placed on a dining table should preferably be placed on horizontal.
In restaurants and some home, a small chopstick stand e.g. a porcelain shaped fish or other objects is used. The front portion of the chopstick is resting on this `stand'.
As for placing chopsticks vertical on a dining table, so far, it usually cannot be done unless it is placed in a cup or glass.
But this seems `rude' and so far never in my life, did I see such a thing before.
Usually, in a restaurant, a porcelian recptacle is used where many chopsticks are kept prior to `displaying' them on dining tables.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 9/30/00 9:36:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
I read somewhere that chinese
people consider it
inauspicious to display
chopsticks in vertical
position. Is it true. Thanks.