Main Text: 

“Don’t stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl – it’s for the dead”

Context:

Informant talked about how this is a bad omen Asian culture. Now however it’s just considered rude to do – without the superstition and is just generally rude socially.

Thoughts:

The informant seemed slightly disinterested in the superstition she talked about, as she does not believe in the superstition; however, she did stress the social connotation and that she still observes this practice and even becomes uncomfortable when other people don’t. It is interesting that this tradition is being maintained without any of the extended beliefs attached and has turned into etiquette outside of spiritual observation.