Why do British people drink with their pinky out?

Allegedly, it's said that the tea cups in the 19th century were wide shaped and flat the bottom, making it hard not to spill anything. The pinky helped keep the cup in balance. This caused the lifting pinky to become a trend, and because tea was only for the elite, so was that pinky finger.

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Why do people put their pinkies out when drinking?

It has been said that sticking your little finger into the air when drinking tea makes you appear elegant and regal. This myth has come from two things whenever the upper classes has servants.

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What does the pinky finger mean in Britain?

Use in the British Royal Family

The use of the left-hand pinky finger as the wedding ring and royal signet or initial ring of the British Royal Family is an ironclad tradition dating back to the sons of Queen Victoria, who favored pinky rings in imitation of their mother as well as following German custom.

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Is it proper to drink with your pinky out?

Don't "Raise Your Pinky" Because It Is Considered Rude.

Etiquette expert Emily Post was "adamantly opposed" to crooking one's pinky because she thought "it was improper and rude." If you need to balance your teacup while sipping, use your pinky or thumb to support the cup from the underside.

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What is the pinky rule?

To make a pinky promise, or pinky swear, is a traditional gesture most commonly practiced amongst children involving the locking of the pinkies of two people to signify that a promise has been made. The gesture is taken to signify that the person can break the finger of the one who broke the promise.

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The History behind the Pinky Up While Drinking Tea Gesture

36 related questions found

Are you supposed to stick your pinky out when you drink tea?

Proper manners include sipping your tea quietly, holding the teacup by the handle, and having your pinkie fingers down (yes, you read that right. Pinky's are meant to be down!) Another expected rule includes keeping electronic devices away.

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What is the rude gesture in the UK?

Hold up your right fist with the back of your hand facing the other person and raise just your middle finger. This is about the most aggressive/ offensive gesture in English, meaning basically “f*ck you”, often as a replacement for actually hitting someone.

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What are the 2 fingers in Britain?

in Britain, a sign that is considered rude, made by holding your hand up with your palm facing toward you and your first and second fingers held in a V shape: She drove past and stuck two fingers up at him.

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What does a pinky ring mean on a man UK?

Traditionally, a pinky ring worn on your dominant hand, which for most men is the right hand, represents things you have accomplished personally, while a pinky ring worn on the other hand indicates family accomplishments. However, you are free to wear your pinky rings as you choose today.

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What is the two finger rule in drinking?

The term “Two Fingers of Whiskey” means that the width of two fingers when you hold it next to the glass is the volume of the whiskey. The terminology two fingers of whiskey is a rough way of measuring how much whiskey goes in your glass.

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What does pinky up mean in Japan?

But in Japan “pinky up” doesn't mean “fancy,” it means “women,” usually referring to someone's girlfriend/mistress/love of their love that they just met five minutes ago.

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Why do Brits wear signet rings?

In Britain, it was King Edward II we have to thank for popularising the signet ring. He decreed that all official documents be signed and stamped with his own signet ring — and there is even a seal on the Magna Carta. It's a tradition we're not yet ready to see die.

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Why do British men wear signet rings?

For millennia, men wore signet rings that were engraved with a family crest or seal, and this ring functioned as a signature when impressed upon wax on important documents. As evidenced in portraits throughout history, men chose to wear their signet or seal ring on any number of fingers.

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Is it OK for a man to wear a pinky ring?

"Besides a wedding ring, a pinky ring is often a man's most personal ring, an essential part of his style. Something you can wear every day." And while there are still those who undoubtedly love to flash a pinky signet ring as status symbol, the tides are turning.

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What does V fingers mean in England?

UK. a sign meaning victory or peace that is made by holding up the first two fingers of one hand in the shape of a V, while the thumb and other fingers are folded down and face out. Compare. peace sign.

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Why is 2 finger swearing UK?

Meaning of two fingers in English

in Britain, a sign that is considered rude, made by holding your hand up with your palm facing towards you and your first and second fingers held in a V shape: She drove past and stuck two fingers up at him.

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What does thumbs up mean in the UK?

thumbs up in British English

an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance. See full dictionary entry for thumb.

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What is not polite in England?

Leaning your elbows on the table whilst you are eating is also considered rude. Slurping or making other such loud noises whilst eating is completely frowned upon. As with yawning or coughing it is also considered very rude to chew open-mouthed or talk when there is still food in your mouth.

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What does tapping your nose mean in UK?

Nose Tapping

This common gesture means something is a secret, and you shouldn't talk about it.

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What is the American rude finger?

The middle finger, extended with the other fingers held beneath the thumb, is thus documented to have expressed insult and belittlement for more than two millennia.

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Why do you put a plate under a tea cup?

At first, the saucer was just what the name implies — a small dish for holding sauce. Then it moved to its familiar spot beneath a cup, the place to put your spoon or soggy teabag. Not long ago, the saucer served a purpose. It was common to pour hot tea or coffee from the cup into the saucer to cool the drink.

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How do you politely drink tea?

If sat at a table, the proper manner to drink tea is to raise the tea cup, leaving the saucer on the table, and to place the cup back on the saucer between sips. It's considered rude to look anywhere but into the cup whilst sipping tea, and absolutely no slurping!

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Why do Brits wear wedding ring on right hand?

This tradition was likely inherited from the Romans, who preferred their right hand because they associated their left hand with untrustworthiness. In other countries, like Russia, it's believed that wearing the ring on the right hand was inherited through the Orthodox Christian Church from the Romans.

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