Chopsticks are shaped pairs of equal- length sticks that have been used as kitchen and eating utensils in virtually all of East Asia for over 2000 years. First invented and used by the ancient Han Chinese or the Zhou Dynasty over 2000 years ago, chopsticks later spread to other countries including Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. More recently it has spread to Hawaii, the West Coast of North America, and cities with Overseas Chinese communities all around the globe. Chopsticks are smoothed and frequently tapered and are commonly made of bamboo, plastic, wood, or stainless steel. They are less commonly made from titanium, gold, silver, porcelain, jade, or ivory. Chopsticks are held in the dominant hand, between the thumb and fingers, and used to pick up pieces of food.
