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Lacquer Chopsticks
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 JCP208: 6 Pairs 9"L Japanese Wooden Lacquer Welcome Cat Chopsticks Made in Japan  US $18.99
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 JCP207: 6 Pairs 9"L Japanese Wooden Lacquer Welcome Cat Chopsticks Made in Japan US $18.99
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Here are some more information for Lacquer Chopsticks:
If you've ever eaten in a Chinese restaurant you will be familiar with those long thin utensils, which are traditionally used to eat Chinese food. Yes, I'm talking about chopsticks. These versatile and efficient objects are actually reasonably easy to use despite appearances to the contrary. In fact with a little practice, one can become proficient in their use.
History shows that chopsticks have been in use since the time of the Shang Dynasty which ruled China between 1600 BC and 1046 BC. The chopsticks from those times would have been made of all sorts of different materials such as bamboo, bronze or ivory and decorated with enamel or lacquer or even gold or silver. A collection of more that one thousand pairs can be seen in the Kuaizi Museum in Shanghai. These days, bamboo or plastic is more usual.
Chopsticks are normally eight to ten inches in length but whereas Japanese ones taper almost to a point, Chinese chopsticks only narrow very slightly towards the end.
It's a little hard to explain how to use chopsticks without the benefit of pictures, but in essence your hand should be vertical as if you were about to shake hands, then curl your fingers round as if you were about to grasp a glass tumbler. Place the chopsticks on the side of your hand and rest your thumb on top of them. Now move your index finger out of the way slightly so that the chopsticks are resting on the side of your middle finger then slip the one nearest to your thumb to the end of your index finger so that it's resting on your fourth and little fingers. By moving your thumb and index finger slightly, the end of one chopstick will move back and forth, enabling you to pick up food. Try practicing by picking up pieces of cotton wool or other quite small items. You'll be amazed how easy it is to master the knack.
Because the Chinese use chopsticks to eat, they prepare their food accordingly. Meat and vegetables are usually sliced into thin strips, which also makes them very quick to cook. Dumplings are a little bigger but still small enough to be gripped with chopsticks and rice can be scooped straight from the bowl to the mouth. The only other implement on offer when dining Chinese style would be a soup spoon, from which it is quite alright to slurp as this is not impolite in Chinese circles.
However, there is strict etiquette surrounding the use of chopsticks. For example spearing something like a dumpling, standing chopsticks vertically in a bowl of food, sucking or licking them, waving them around particular at other people and using them to pull a dish of food towards you are all considered very bad manners.
While some of the above are just tradition, the reason for not standing chopsticks upright in a bowl of food is that their appearance resembles that of incense sticks which are lit in remembrance of the dead. To the Chinese, each meal is a celebration of life so they don't usually mix eating with grieving.
Liz Canham
As well as a love of Asian Food and Cookery, Liz seeks to help newcomers to the world of internet marketing with tools, tips and training from her Liz-e-Biz.com website.
Shopping in Vietnam
While Vietnam does not offer the wide shopping experience of say Hong Kong or Bangkok, there is still much to consider when thinking of taking home a few souvenirs. The place to do most of your shopping in Vietnam is in the country's many markets. But what to buy?
Vietnam has more ethnic minorities than any other country in the region and they all produce their own handicrafts. Vietnam's silk production is renowned and many visitors like to buy traditional Vietnamese dresses or ao doi. It is also possible to find small silk bags in most markets. Carved wooden boxes, statuettes and chopsticks are typical of the country's artefacts. Also, look out for hand-carved water puppet figurines.
To really appreciate the Vietnamese shopping culture (and to save money) it is essential to bargain with the sellers. Seasoned Vietnam visitors will tell you to bargain hard, but always with a smile on your face. With practice and a bit of luck, you should be able to reduce the initial price to less than half or even a third.
Please note that Vietnam, like many countries prohibits the export of certain antiques and national treasures, Also, when making expensive purchases have them checked by a trusted expert.
In Hanoi, the best market is probably Hanoi's Dong Xuan Market in the old district north of Hoan Kiem Lake. Here you can find everything you could imagine and much more - food, clothing, silk goods, jewellery, flowers… On weekend evenings, the area around the market turns into a night market, but this is not the best time for shopping and is more of a social gathering. Beware of pickpockets at the night markets.
A special Hanoi product is rice paper. Look out for cheap greetings cards, bamboo covered notebooks and even table lamps. Cards and notebooks only cost about $2. Rice-paper products canalso be found on Hang Gai.
Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) offers more developed shopping opportunities. The shopping plazas of District 1 offer designer shops, boutiques, galleries, antique shops and jewellery stores.
The huge Ban Thanh Market with around 1,500 stalls is the place to look for postcards, T-shirts, ethnic print coin purses, embroidered bags, satin slippers, silk scarves, throws, carved figurines, bamboo ware, ceramics, lacquer and much more.
Cholon is Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. The area has many markets but even if you aren't in the shopping mood, Cholon's massive Binh Tay market is a fascinating place to explore and there are many places to eat on the first floor.
In the old imperial city of Hue, head for Chu Van An Street for fashionable clothes or shoes, souvenirs, jewellery, lacquer ware and books. Hue is famous for its beautiful silk paintings. Le Loi Street has a few silversmiths, but mostly consists of cheap souvenir sellers and tailors. But possibly the most popular Hue souvenir is one of the conical hats which are famous throughout Vietnam. You can visit Indochina Odyssey Tours to get more information about Vietnam.
About the Author
Indochina Odyssey Tours -- Your trustworthy Indochina Vietnam tour operator since 1987. Personalized and worry-free service in tours, hotels and tickets in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
Where to buy chopsticks?
So I would like to buy a pair of chopsticks. However, I dont want the single-use ones. I would like to have a pair made out of lacquered wood.
Anyone know where to buy a set without having to go to the Asian market? (Its rather far from my house.)
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