The Art of Eating Spaghetti

Writing Assignment 1 on 11th August:
About the Art of Eating Spaghetti (or Noodles)

“Story 1”

To eat spaghetti or noodles, people use chopsticks or forks. Chopsticks have been traditionally used in Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. The chopsticks culture is generalised in those countries, and children usually begin to practise using chopsticks in early childhood. It has been routinely one of their home disciplines, a kind of surviving skill. It is generally believed that moving hands—especially fingers— freely is related with cerebral function. They say using chopsticks helps children to develop their coordinating faculties, so it is better using chopsticks than using forks. It would not be easy for little children to adapt themselves to chopsticks, but most of them eventually become well-trained.

These days many children as well as some adults feel uncomfortable eating spaghetti with chopsticks, however. This phenomenon has spread since Asians enjoyed Western food. In Korea, one would use chopsticks for noodles, and forks for spaghetti. Either using chopsticks or forks, to eat spaghetti or noodles, one has to observe the rules of etiquette. When one eats noodles, one must be careful not to slurp, and not to splatter sauce by letting noodles whirl around when sucking it into one’s mouth.


“Story 2”

Little Joe came to a restaurant with his family. It was a respectable Italian restaurant. He wanted pizza, but Mum and Dad ordered spaghetti. Little Joe had never eaten spaghetti till then, and thought, “What am I to do?” He looked at his sister apprehensively. Sarah, Joe’s older sister, liked spaghetti, but seemed to catch her brother’s concern, and whispered, “You’re getting to learn how to eat spaghetti. It is really tasty.”

The Italian server who was of commanding presence, smiled and winked at Joe, and said, “Please enjoy yourself with our special deliciousness, handsome little gentleman!” Little Joe blushed and tried to be imposing. He wanted to show himself as a true gentleman, and nodded, saying, “Thank you!”

Dad lifted his spaghetti up with the fork and sucked it into his mouth without noise. Little Joe admired him “Wow!” Mum exchanged a smile with Sarah, and said to Joe, “Look at your sister and do what she does!” Sarah forked her spaghetti and coiled it up and took it in her mouth. Little Joe did the same thing after his sister, but he often made the coiling big, so Joe’s mouth became covered with spaghetti sauce. Moreover, Little Joe could not manage the sipping sound effectively. Being a gentleman was not easy for Little Joe, especially when eating spaghetti.

Brit... (11th August, 2009)