chopsticks & co.

...Let's start from the beginning:


in Singapore, most of the people use chinese chopsticks to have their meals.
They can manoeuvre them in order to pick up nearly everything, from meats and vegetables to rice or dry noodles.
You will be able to do the same sooner than you think!
Don't worry, anyway: a ceramic spoon is provided for soupy dishes and desserts, and...

...you can usually find cutlery in any food-court.
Maybe you'll wonder why forks and spoons are so common, while no knife is provided.
Just take a closer look and you'll get the answer: as most of the food is already diced or sliced, you don't need to cut anything, so no knife is needed!

If you order an indian rice set, you can simply eat with your hand, just pay attention to a couple of things:
* use your right hand! Left one is supposed to be used for toilet business!
* try to have your food using your fingers, and be sure that your palm is as clean as possible when you finish... this is important for Malays, more than Indians, but I'm sure you too will be glad not to have a completely turmeric-yellow hand!


Quick fact & advice:
Every "tool" belongs to a different culinary tradition - chinese or peranakan, british, malay or indian... - but tablewares vary according to the food, so... if you have any doubt, just look at your tablemates!!