You don’t need the finger-eye coordination of a heart surgeon to master chopsticks. Grasp one in your hand as you would hold a pencil—using your thumb, index finger, and third finger. Rest the other chopstick on your fourth finger and pinkie to keep it anchored. Move the top chopstick with your index and middle fingers while keeping the bottom stick stationary. Beginners should start by holding the middle sections of chopsticks for easier handling. (Wrap rubber bands around the tops of a child’s chopsticks to help with gripping.) The aim is to have your grip about two-thirds of the way from the bottom of the chopsticks so you have maximum leverage as you grab food. And remember: “When you pick up food from a common plate, the proper way to serve yourself is to turn the chopsticks to the other end,” says Martin Yan, a television cooking-show host and the author of Martin Yan Quick and Easy (www.amazon.com, $25).