In order to stay alive, we all have to eat.
The question to be considered here is not ‘ Whether we live to eat’ or “We eat to live.’
People of different regions of the world have different manner or etiquette in eating.
The importance of eating food is to get strength and energy to do our work.
People of the Orient eat with chopsticks, people of the West use fork, spoon and knife and those in Central Asia eat with their hand.
Some considered eating with the hand is the most natural and primitive; while those using chopsticks are under more pressure of control, even in the process of eating and those eating with fork, spoon and knife are more advanced in application of their manufacturing skills.
Some consider eating with the hand gives satisfaction and enjoyment while eating. Use of chopsticks show refineness and consideration.Those eating with fork, spoon and knife, display their skill even while satisfying their basic need.
Bamboo is a very important part of the Chinese culture. Chopsticks are still the most common tableware in China . It is usually made of bamboos Sometimes chopsticks are also made of bones, metal bi-metal, ivory , plastic and even precious metals like gold and silver.
In China bamboo grows well and in abundant. It is the fastest growing plant. Some of them grow about 100 cm per day. Bamboo is used as medicine, as food, and as an ornamental decoration. It is used for construction, can be made into paper, musical instruments, processes seawater into drinkable water by removing the salt. Many animals thrive on it for their survival.
In the Chinese culture bamboo represents various qualities and attributes, such as strength of character, moral integrity, resistance, modesty, loyalty and so on.
Bamboo is a plant that stands upright dispite the extremities of the weather. It is evergreen all year round. It is flexible and has the ability to adapt to the surrounding conditions signifying the secret of how to live a long happy life.
Bamboo is a plant that needs little care, yet its outer-covering is polished and the plant is well structured like a well educated person – scholar.
The bamboo plant consist of a straight stem and leaves. This personifies simplicity. It does not have butterflies and bees around it. It does not attract attention.
Bamboo symbolizes respect for elders, and care for the young. Its top most part will grow at a small angle to allow the sunlight to reach the lower parts of the plant too. The young shoot emerges under the shadow of the plant.
Bamboo along with the plum, orchid and chrysanthemum ( 梅 兰 竹 菊 méi lán zhú jú ) are known as the Four Men of Honor (Si4 Jun1 Zi3) or four gentlemen as it symbolizes the qualities of gentlemen,
Bamboo with pine and plum “ 松 竹 梅 sōng zhú méi “ is known as the “ Three friend of winter.” ( 岁 寒 三 友 suì hán We invite all those interested to share your point of view with regard to the cultural or social aspect of eating of different cultures.
We will soon post the next article on the dos and don’t of using chopstick."
