使用筷子是中國文化的產物。中國是個農業大國,食物多以蔬菜為主,用筷子適宜取食。中國文化推崇集體主義(collectivism),崇尚融合,體現在吃飯的方式上就是使用筷子。中國人喜歡合餐制(communal meals),用餐的人在同一個盤子中取食,用筷子可以限制個別人大量取食。因此,筷子的使用既保留了集體主義的形態,又限制了個人主義的膨脹。
The using of chopsticks is the product of the Chinese culture. China is an agricultural country and the Chinese mainly rely on vegetables for food. Chopsticks are very convenient tools for eating. Chinese culture advocates collectivism and stresses harmony. In terms of eating customs, using chopsticks is the expression of this kind of culture. The Chinese like to have communal meals where everybody eats food out of the same plate. Chopsticks are used in order to discourage people from eating much more than others. Therefore, the using of chopsticks has not only preserved collectivism, but also limited the swell of individualism.