How many people drink with their little finger pointing straight out? And why do we do it?

Question

I never know I'm doing it... but it's always brounght to my attention.

Background? Working class parents, comprehensive school education...

Ok ... just been to lunch..... and was looking at my hand when drinking... and I think it is to do with the angle you hold your wrist/forearm.
if you hold your drink at a slight angle opinting towards you.. I tend to favour lifting the little finger as it feels more comfortable.
So... is it balance? Nahh.. cant be ... the weight of the cup and fluid will not be counteracted by the lifting of 1 finger (imho!)...

Answer 1

I do!

I think it's because the little finger is superfluous to the act of beveraging, so we hold it out of the way so as not to interrupt the functionality of the other digits.

Nothing to do with background or social status, more to do with the fact that our motor skills are in perfect synchronisity.

Answer 2

It would say it started with the holding of thin stem glasses like those for wine and champagne, as the stem is to thin and short sometimes to put your whole had on, or if you did would you possibly be more likely to clench it perhaps causing damage, people do it with small tea cups also for the reason, of small space and it is still considered good manners in the correct circles, the tea cup would be made of delicate china, the glasses fine crystal etc.

Answer 3

Ahh, the nuvaux riche being posh?, well, be prepared for a revalation..

The extended pinkie started out as a "come hither" at tea parties where men and women sat apart, a woman might extend the pinkie whilst drinking and looking at a man, symbolizing what might happen to his "privates" if she was lucky.

another one to be ware of is tugging the forelock, if the motion is upwards it is a sign of respect (removing ones hat) if, on the other hand, the motion is downwards it is mimicing a jouster lowering his visor and is a sing of disrespect (as in "I'm about to run you through with a lance")

Answer 4

I watched something once that said the reason this was done was because back in the old days people would eat with their hands but keep the little finger clean so that they could stir spices and sauces without contaminating it. This was generally only done by the rich who had plenty of different food.

Maybe it was just that instinctive that it's now become genetic.

Answer 5

Well, the left pinky has always been a sign of etiquette for hundreds of years. For example, in the court of Louis XIV, a noble must scratch at the door with his left pinky instead of knocking or else he would be banished from Versailles. I don't know how it got started but rarely anybody uses their pinky any more as etiquette. I think the reason you use your pinky is because it it just habit.

Answer 6

I do that! I don't mean to but people often point it out to me.
Background = middle class parents & private school background - but I don't think that's anything to do with it. No one has ever told me to do it & no one I can think of did it.
Perhaps it has something to do with balancing the glass better or something (like how a monekys tail works)
lol does that make any sense??

Answer 7

It was considered very well mannered to do that many years ago, my friends laugh at me for doing it but I don't even realise I am half the time, suppose its still a sign or good manners now.

Answer 8

It used to be considered "good manners" about a hundred years ago...Little Women mentions it, and that was written in the 1860's...I think it's a silly habit if you do it on purpose.

Answer 9

Yeah I do that!

I play drinking games with mates at parties and one of the rules was 'drink with ur pinky pointing out', 2 fingers if you didn't, and its sort of stuck with me since, even with my coffee!!

Answer 10

i wonder could it be the size of the handle i.e. with a mug i don't point the finger up but with a cup i do. maybe it could be balance. it does look funny though