That’s just a stereotype taken from a small fraction of the population. There is one alleged proper form, but many adults don’t even do it that way, let alone instilling it on their child. Most parents are cool as long as the child can use the chopstick, which is exactly how adults who don’t hold it the “proper” way come into being.

Theoretically, the proper form has some practical advantage. Practically, the difference in utility is minuscule.

You usually can tell who grew up mainly using chopsticks to eat because they don’t have a standard grip. It’s people who start using them when they’re older who have proper form.

Yes, it's true that in China, parents often teach their children proper chopstick etiquette and techniques from a young age. This is because chopsticks are a fundamental part of Chinese culture and are used in almost every meal. Parents believe that learning to use chopsticks correctly not only shows respect for the food, but also reflects good manners and discipline.

Many parents in the UK are very strict about knives and forks, to be fair. Usually in my ham-fisted experience in frustratingly inverse proportion to the likelihood of serving peas and other small vegetables and grains as opposed to easily tackled lumps of beige and gloopy-sauced beans.

And, in the UK and China and elsewhere, some parents are, evidently, decidedly not.

There is definitely a right way.

But no one would be offended if you didn’t hold it the right way