Americans may have a little too much free time on their hands.
The New York Times found itself the target of plenty of backlash over the inclusion of chopsticks in a story about an “Asian-inspired” steak house.
Social media users accused The Times of cultural insensitivity over the placement of the chopsticks.
As seen in the photograph, the chopsticks are positioned in an upright manner in the dishes, which is a chopstick etiquette faux pas, according to Fox News. The network said this indicates death or suggests a funeral offering in Japanese culture.
was that chopsticks placement also 'inspired by asia' 👀 pic.twitter.com/xG4ixOsOd3
— wilfred chan (@wilfredchan) December 27, 2017
While Americans might be excused for not knowing there’s such a thing as chopsticks etiquette, there is.
And folks feel pretty strongly about it.
Here’s a sampling of responses from Twitter:
So, who died? Or was your menu inspired by a part of Asia that uses wooden sticks as decor? #chopsticksetiquette #jadesixty https://t.co/VXGgHEoty1
— Like ‘chow’ 林明巧 (@mingcheau) December 28, 2017
For anyone unaware, this is not what you do with chopsticks. https://t.co/hOZIrja7WR
— Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) December 28, 2017
Obviously the photo shoot were set up by non-Asians bcuz in an #Asian home esp. a #Chinese home, if the chopsticks were placed the way it is in the photo it would've been a blatant disrespect. Get your photo shoot done right. Get some more diversity in your photo department https://t.co/UAB7nMlRJB
— 💪Ms.Ng (@MMJShirley) December 28, 2017
I was so distracted by the chopsticks I almost missed the caption. Ah yes, that little-known racial admixture, "part steakhouse, part Asian". 😂 https://t.co/bjMzLj7tBd
— Sy Almans (@syalmans) December 28, 2017
aside from the…chopsticks nonsense, which is a very big nonsense indeed, Where Is The Rice https://t.co/bHcZDrwAii
— emi 🏳️🌈♿️ (@emibee47) December 28, 2017
Photographers. The chopsticks look better spread/crossed, maybe. But seriously this a quick way to prove an Asian was likely not involved in any of this. https://t.co/HdbcmtSD9T
— Piper J. Drake (@PiperJDrake) December 28, 2017
Well nobody involved with this photo was remotely Asian
😐 https://t.co/qaRhBaWZzZ— Lindsey Wasson (@lindseywasson) December 28, 2017
I’m glad the chopsticks are placed like offerings to the dead. I’m sure my ancestors will be excited to eat steak with chopsticks.
— alan sien wei hshieh (@chunggukpanda) December 28, 2017
I guess the NYT food stylists came from their other job at the crematorium before the photo shoot. Influenced by Asia my ass… Really, NYT? Hire more professionals of color!
— Elli F (@ElliFtaka) December 31, 2017
Asians stick chopsticks under steaks as levers to catapult the meat into their mouths. Tres traditional.
— James Griffiths (@jgriffiths) December 28, 2017
CNN’s New Year’s show goes on, but karma strikes Kathy Griffin as she sits out
https://twitter.com/ajisaihunter/status/946388401409970182
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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