China is vastly larger than the UKand it had irt's imperialist ambitions long before England did, it was mostly land based expansion to the west, and south into viet nam, as opposed to England's later land grabs which were based more on naval dominance.
Even before expansion, but more so after, China had a huge landmass, with a huge and almost entirely rural population. Realistically, the amount of smtihing and metalwork required to provide metal utensils would be wildly impractical, when an efficient and cheaply available alternative has been available for millenia. Bear in mind that chopsticks suit the food (rather than english curry shop versions which are heavier on rice and meats), and that they were in use while most european peasnats would have ate with their hanbds - mass produced metal cutlery is a relatively recent privelege, and woudl have been the preserve of the wealthy for a long time.
Methinks you're being jingoistic rather than realistic. Also, what will you do if you ever visit China or Asia for travel or work - tell them off?
(Even before expansion, but more so after, China had a huge landmass, with a huge and almost entirely rural population. Realistically, the amount of smtihing and metalwork required to provide metal utensils would be wildly impractical, when an efficient and cheaply available alternative has been available for millenia. Bear in mind that chopsticks suit the food (rather than english curry shop versions which are heavier on rice and meats), and that they were in use while most european peasnats would have ate with their hanbds - mass produced metal cutlery is a relatively recent privelege, and woudl have been the preserve of the wealthy for a long time.
Methinks you're being jingoistic rather than realistic. Also, what will you do if you ever visit China or Asia for travel or work - tell them off?
WhoElse I'm what Willis was talking about,
Tue 21 Nov 2006, 12:23,
archived)