6 Ways To Stand Out In Chinese Restaurants | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

6 Ways To Stand Out In Chinese Restaurants

Dead giveaways that you're not as cultural as you thought.

8
6 Ways To Stand Out In Chinese Restaurants
Jingrui Lu

As devotees of Friday night take-out dinners and fried rice enthusiasts, we all know where to go to fix a Chinese food craving.

While our favorite Chinese restaurants aren't always where we choose to sit and eat, the times we do can be an obliviously humiliating experience. While we assume we are assimilating smoothly into the Chinese culture, surrounded by the ambiance of red lanterns and cryptic symbols, we are unaware of our obvious inattention to Chinese cuisine.

It's our repeated habitual quirks that we, as unauthentic consumers, have adopted that make us stand out abruptly in a Chinese diner.

1. Failing to use chopsticks efficiently

It’s understood that the sensei in “Karate Kid” catching flies from the air is an unrealistic standard to hold for this eating utensil. Sometimes you’re better off just stabbing your orange chicken with a wooden spear. If that’s the case, opt for a fork.

2. Pronounce Poke like the verb, not the dish

Poke is traditionally a bowl of diced raw fish marinated with soy and served over rice. It’s pronounced po-keh, so get it right.

3. Pouring on the salt

Let’s be honest, we all love soy sauce. We are pretty sure there is some healthful code in regards to the colored red and green spouts, but we don’t care. As avid Chinese food consumers, we do not discriminate. We pour that gold on everything.

4. Order Sweet and Sour Chicken... Again

As probably the most Americanized dinner option, classic sweet and sour is honored for it’s consistency amongst various restaurants. If comfort food is your game, this chicken is the name.

5. Wasabi?

Fact: Most American Chinese restaurants serve cost-friendly green horse radish as their wasabi; both contain similar taste, but most people don’t eat it anyways due to its overpowering spice.

6. Stealing the complimentary fortune cookies

Walking out with more than your share of wisdom offerings? If that’s the kind of person you are, you’re not alone. Just shamefully hide the sound of wrappers crinkling in your stuffed pockets.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

How The Holidays Have Changed

It all started when we learned the truth about Santa.

1488
best wishes for Christmas
Pinterest

It is no secret that many American traditions have changed over time. As we grow older we change in so many ways that it only makes sense that we also change the way we celebrate special occasions. Of course when it comes to the holidays there are some family traditions that many of us still excitedly look forward to, whether it is eating your favorite dish or seeing favorite cousin. However, we all know that the holidays have overall changed a little from what they used to be.

Keep Reading...Show less
theatre cast

Everyone who has done musicals knows that once you go there you can never go back. It's like a virus. It never leaves and you find yourself attracted to all types of theater things. You're drawn to it like a moth to a flame. There are certain things you know to be true, whether you did a musical once or have done them your entire life.

Keep Reading...Show less
couple winter
Pexels

When you come home over Christmas break, it's hard to find fun in your hometown. During the winter, it's hard to find the motivation to go out and find things to do. However, there are plenty of fun things to do in almost any town, and there are tons of fun date ideas that aren't taken advantage of. Here are nine fun winter dates to go on.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Socks  Fireplace
Wesley Tingey

Christmas is arguably one of the most popular holidays of the year. Whether you think Christmas celebrations should be strictly reserved for December, or you're setting up your tree and lights on November 1st, Christmas time is the best time. Filling an entire month with Christmas activities seems like it could be impossible, but I am here to fix that for you. Here are twenty-five of the best things to do in the twenty-five days leading up to Christmas.

Keep Reading...Show less
smiling girl in pink and white stripe shirt

I'll never forget the day that someone told me these words: "Madison, I think you're a good friend to everyone but yourself." I stood there completely in awe of that statement. Before that day, I never really thought about being a friend to myself, and at the time, I didn't really know what it meant. Now, I realize that you can't fully be there for other people unless you're there for yourself, too. You can't show up for others until you're willing to show up for yourself.

Here are five things everyone should learn in order to be a better friend to themselves. These steps are hard, but they're so worth it.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments