For most of Chinese people, the earpick is such a normal thing which can be used almost everyday. But for most of my students, they are definitely unbelievable that it could be used to pick one’s ear. I was told by my student that they are not taught to put anything smaller than ear hole into ear. That is why he was fairly surprise at the new word “挖耳勺” which we have to learn for a new lesson last week .
It is not important for us to figure out why Chinese people use the earpick since… (i have no idea) long ago maybe. The point is we can both understand the culture of each other’s and get inspired to go on learning and teaching happily. And what quite valuable is that “挖耳勺”, for my student, is the first words to be remembered among those on that day.
Interesting ! I’m now on my way of learning chinese and such things like what you mentioned happened to me as well . also, that is why chinese has deeply fascinated me .