The origins of the phenomenon of raising one's pinky is debated, though the most convincing explanation (to me) is as follows: because Asian tea cups or mugs are handle-less, one's fingertips would get quite warm when drinking hot beverages. While people were much more hands on in most professions way back in the day, the pinky finger was more than likely much less calloused and abused than the other fingers, which would then cause the tea imbiber to lift their pinky whilst drinking tea!
While I know it's a bit of a stretch, it's at least something. So why ISN'T lifting your pinky actually proper?
I'm not entirely sure. I haven't been able to find a real answer to this, other than "it just isn't!"
There are actually many other little etiquette oddities that I would not have thought of without doing a little reading up!
- Hold your saucer underneath your cup, lest you spill any tea whilst sipping!
- Stir your tea quietly - don't let the spoon clank on the sides of the cup.
- Do not ever leave a spoon in your cup. Rest it on the saucer.
- Do not ever drink tea from the spoon, or lick the spoon. Tea is good, but there ought to be enough to not have to resort to this!
- Milk over cream. Cream is far too heavy for tea and overwhelms the lighter flavors of tea.
- Lemon + milk = fail.
- Always serve lemon slices, not wedges.
And that's a little taste of tea etiquette!
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