The pointed ends of the chopsticks should be placed on a chopstick rest when the chopsticks are not being used.[23] However, when a chopstick rest is not available as is often the case in restaurants using waribashi (disposable chopsticks), a person may make a chopstick rest by folding the paper case that contained the chopsticks.[23]
Reversing chopsticks to use the opposite clean end is commonly used to move food from a communal plate, and is acceptable if there are no communal chopsticks (for example, if the meal is hosted at someone's home).[24]
Chopsticks should not be crossed on a table,[25] as this symbolizes death, or vertically stuck in the rice, which is done during a funeral.[23][24]
Chopsticks should be placed right-left direction; the tips should be on the left.[26]
In formal use, disposable chopsticks (waribashi) should be replaced into the wrapper at the end of a meal.[