Drinking from a Glass

Glass? Pinkie?

Here in Pittsburgh, even our grande dames drink straight outta the bottle. And you need to keep all four fingers wrapped tight around that bottle in case you need to throw it at the TV, like when the announcer says something good about the Cowboys.

You might find an explanation amongst these answers to the question

"Why does one, traditionally, raise one's pinky while drinking tea?"


http://vunex.blogspot.com/2007/09/pinky.html



Woody

The link says; "The little finger, unraised, would touch the lowest part of the cup, below the other three fingers; this lowest part is likely to be the hottest"

Is that right ? It doesn't sound right, but I can't make up my mind on it ! Heat rises, but on the other hand the top of the cup has more area and can cool quicker. Wahhhh.....it's too early in the day to confuse myself like this !

"11.When drinking tea does one lift the teacup and saucer or just the teacup?

If one is seated at a table, the proper manner to drink tea is to raise the teacup only,placing it back into the saucer in between sips.

If you are at a buffet tea ,hold the tea saucer in your lap with your left hand and hold the tea cup in your right hand. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer and hold in your lap." That article doesn't mention people who like to slurp tea from the saucer

These people say that 'pinky-out' is a no-no ; "First and foremost never hold your cup with your pinkie finger extended. This is improper and in most social settings is considered rude. Place your index finger into the handle of the cup up to the knuckle while placing your thumb on the top of the handle to secure the cup. The bottom of the handle should then rest on your third finger. The fourth and fifth fingers should curve back towards your wrist."

It would help if they put bigger handles on the cups - mugs are much more sensible.

I know this isn't tea, and there's no handle, but Her Majesty almost has a pinky out;

....though shouldn't she be holding that glass by the stem so as not to heat up the whatever ?

Google search

http://www.rasolutions.net/faq.asp

cut and paste.

"Extended Pinkie
This is a custom that does not need to be practiced anymore. It was always more of a social etiquette custom anyway and really has no use in a professional situation. Nonetheless, we still see it practiced, and so we wonder why.

I became aware of the extended pinkie at a young age. Probably from my grandmother, while she sipped tea with her bridge club. Even then I thought it a bit pretentious as I failed to understand any practical reason for it.

When I researched the origin of this behavior this belief was confirmed. My conclusion is that the intent of this practice is to communicate one's superior status over another.

My research suggests this behavior started in the courts of France's King Louis XIV. It was under his rule that the term 'etiquette' was first used, although written rules of behavior pre-dated him at least to the age of chivalry. He insisted that the people around him behaved appropriately. If they did not, they would not receive his 'favor', or support.

One of his guidelines dictated how one was to 'knock' on his door, to announce their arrival for a meeting. Louis found the rapping of knuckles to be a bit boorish, as well as disruptive to his peace of mind, so he came up with an alternative.

One seeking entrance to his chamber was told to lightly scratch the door with a single fingernail. Specifically, you were to scratch with the fingernail of your right little finger, or pinkie. That's right; you would stand outside the door, scratching lightly with your fingernail, until King Louis XIV invited you in.

As you might imagine, it was hard to do this well. Fingernail scratching doesn't really echo through the King's chamber. So, those who met with the King on a regular basis learned to grow out this fingernail, sometimes until it was a couple of inches long. This improved the likelihood of being heard.

I imagine that individuals with such a nail quickly recognized an opportunity to flaunt their status. They searched for a way to demonstrate the close relationship they had with King Louis and soon found one. An extended pinkie directed attention to their long fingernail, which suggested a close relationship with the King. It was done to indicate status.

Now, to be accurate there are those who say it may have been done to balance the cup while sipping tea. Others say it was necessary because of the small, delicate handles found on many china tea cups. Since there was no room for all four fingers, one had to be extended. Finally, some suggest it was done to keep the pinkie finger away from the heat of the tea cup.

To all of those I say "balderdash", which is an etiquette term that roughly translates to "I don't think so". There are common sense alternatives to these issues. First of all, if the tea is so hot that you risk burning your fingers, you shouldn't be sipping it. You should be conversing with those around you while letting the tea cool down. Also, if you struggle to balance a tea cup, or find that your hands are just too big to hold it comfortably, then it might be wiser to ask for a mug.

Clearly then the intent of this action, extending one's pinkie finger while sipping tea (or any beverage for that matter), is to subtly demonstrate one's superior status. "


Woody

Clearly then the intent of this action, extending one's pinkie finger while sipping tea (or any beverage for that matter), is to subtly demonstrate one's superior status. "

Anyone who ever looked at a small handled teacup could tell you it's a bloody silly object. The quote is pretty much on it. Mere foppery, intended to convey some impression of culture. Court posturing. At the other end of the scale, you get guys walking along as if carrying 2 invisible carpets. It's the same thing ; 'look at me and admire me, this thin pretence of masculinity is all I have'.

Darts always looks odd to me, but maybe that's to do with not knocking the flights as they chuck the things ?

Invisible carpets..?
I carry invisible logs...Yew of course. Well I did when I was 18....
Del

I can't speak for others, but I stick my pinkie out just in case I have to poke someone in the eye for trying to steal my drink.

Unless I'm drinking martinis. Then I use the pinkie as an olive holder.

Balance. The thumb cross naturally with the middle finger to grip the glass. The index and ring fingers to each side other than aiding in the grip balance the glass over the thumb. Contact with the pinky on the glass disturbs this balance as your tilt the glass over to drink. As you no longer need to grip it so tight to lift the weight is resting on the thumb.

It's those Damn English Socialites little quirks people pick up on etiquette. _{See my smile? Im only kidding guys. Please don't gang up on me!}

because the handel of the tea cup is to small for all 4 fingers. it will only accomodate 3. the odd man out being the pinkie. It only carried over to other types of drinks when other types of drinks were invented.

hmmm. I guess that means it was an engineering question.