6 Eating Out

I was born in Vietnam and since both of my parents are Chinese, most of the things I do are based on Chinese customs. However, I have lived in the United States for a long time so I have also picked up many American ways, but I still use my Chinese name, Yen.

The one thing I find very difficult to get used to is the eating utensils.In many American restaurants there are two forks, two spoons, and two knives. I get really confused trying to find out which utensil I should use for which kind of food. And not long ago, I didn't know how to use a knife and fork at all.

In my culture the two items we use for eating are a pair of chopsticks and a soup spoon. Chopsticks are long skinny sticks made out of wood called bamboo. We use them to pick up our food. The soup spoon is oval in shape and is usually made out of porcelain. We use it to sip our soup or to scoop our food.

Two years ago, my boyfriend invited me to the Christmas party given by his company. He told me that it was going to be a dinner party at the Sheraton Hotel and that I should dress formally. The week before the party, I went shopping for a pretty dress to wear. I had a hard time because I didn't really know how Americans would dress for this occasion. Well, luckily for me, a salesgirl gave me her opinion and I found just the right dress. Then came the day of the party. Knowing I was properly dressed, I felt very comfortable. My boyfriend introduced me to his coworkers, and we were seated at a table with four other American couples. Then I looked down at my knife and fork, and my heart sank. I had wanted to ask my boyfriend how to use the utensils for what I called “Eating the Western Way”. But I had been so worried about what to wear that I had forgotten. Now, seated at the table with the other couples, I would have to figure out the utensils for myself. Everything went fine until the lady who was sitting next to me noticed that I kept watching what everyone was doing and switching my fork and knife from one hand to another. She started to laugh and said, “Oh dear, don't be so nervous.Let me show you how to use your knife.”

At this point my face was red and I didn't know what to say. Usually Chinese people aren't allowed to have a knife on the table. I was still a little scared to hold the knife and now I was also nervous and embarrassed about the whole situation. I ended up letting my boyfriend cut the steak for me. As for the lady who was sitting next to me, I was too embarrassed to look at her or thank her for offering to help.

Since then, my boyfriend has taken me to many American restaurants. Not only have I gotten used to eating the food, but he has taught me how to eat the Western way. Now I have no problem handling my knife and fork, but it makes me smile sometimes when I think of how embarrassing it once was.