The New York Times has been criticised by Twitter users for its use of chopsticks in a photo that represents an “Asian-inspired” steak house.
The Huffington Post reports that the newspaper was reporting on upcoming steak fusion restaurant Jade Sixty.
In the photo for the article, Chinese dishes such as beef and broccoli and steamed buns are placed next to a New York-style steak and beer.
was that chopsticks placement also ‘inspired by asia’ pic.twitter.com/xG4ixOsOd3
— Wilfred Chan (@wilfredchan) December 27, 2017
Two pairs of chopsticks are seen – one pair angled towards the steak, and the other standing upright in the broccoli dish.
Placing chopsticks upright is considered bad luck in Asian culture as incense sticks are presented in a similar way at Asian funerals.
The New York Times has since replaced the article’s featured image after people took to Twitter to express their disapproval for the paper’s “cultural insensitivity”.
“Food stylist doesn’t understand “chopstick placement”… proper do’s and don’t’s. Photo is “bad luck.”” commented one user.
“So, who died? Or was your menu inspired by a part of Asia that uses wooden sticks as decor? #chopsticksetiquette #jadesixty,” said another.
One user wrote, “Asians stick chopsticks under steaks as levers to catapult the meat into their mouths. Tres traditional.”
Another simply said, “am I supposed to eat the whole steak w/chopsticks??”
was that chopsticks placement also ‘inspired by asia’ pic.twitter.com/xG4ixOsOd3
— Wilfred Chan (@wilfredchan) December 27, 2017
No chopsticks in the beer? Totally inauthentic.
— Dark Laughter (@DarkLaughterTDB) December 28, 2017
Asians stick chopsticks under steaks as levers to catapult the meat into their mouths. Tres traditional.
— James Griffiths (@jgriffiths) December 28, 2017
Maybe the steak attracts lots of flies, and the chopsticks are to catch the flies, a la Mr Miyagi?
— Kyra Bussanich (@KyraBussanich) December 28, 2017
Maybe the steak attracts lots of flies, and the chopsticks are to catch the flies, a la Mr Miyagi?
— Kyra Bussanich (@KyraBussanich) December 28, 2017
am I supposed to eat the whole steak w/chopsticks??
— partysquid (@vikicheung) December 28, 2017
Food stylist doesn’t understand “chopstick placement”… proper do’s and don’t’s. Photo is “bad luck.”
— iamlinda (@pica2pixel) December 28, 2017
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
— Ming Chows 林明巧 (@mingcheau) December 28, 2017
