How to Hold a Mug

Co-authored by Tami Claytor and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: January 23, 2022 References

When you grab the first cup of coffee in the morning, you might be too bleary-eyed to pay attention to anything other than getting that caffeine. But if you’re at work or in a social situation, it might be a good idea to follow the rules of etiquette for holding a mug. Don’t worry, it’s not tricky at all. Keep reading to learn some great tips!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting a Good Grip

1
Hold the handle with your index finger in polite company. Loop your index finger through the handle firmly, then tuck your other 3 fingers into your palm to keep the mug steady. Place your thumb on top of the loop of the handle. That will help you keep it steady. ^{[1]
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- According to etiquette rules, this is the proper way to hold a coffee mug. So if you’re a stickler for manners or trying to wow someone with your etiquette skills, this is the way to do it.
2
Slide 2-4 fingers into the handle if that's more comfortable. Ok, so holding your coffee mug by your index finger might be polite, but if that feels a little awkward, it's fine to adjust your grip. Coffee mugs are made with wide, sturdy handles, so try holding it with 2, 3, or even 4 fingers, depending on what feels the most natural to you.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
- In general, coffee is considered a pretty casual drink, so it's okay if you're not at the top of your etiquette game every time you have a cup.
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3
Wrap your hands around a warm mug on a cold day. It can be immensely satisfying to hold tightly to a warm mug with both hands on a cold winter morning. It can also bring up comforting memories like drinking hot chocolate on a snow day. It’s totally okay to brush etiquette aside sometimes, especially when you’re in the comfort of you’re own home. Go ahead! Enjoy the feel of your warm mug in your hands.^{[3]
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- Make sure the mug isn’t hot enough to be uncomfortable. You don’t want to accidentally drop it.
4
Grasp the mug by the rim when you're walking. There’s nothing worse than spilling your hot coffee down your shirt as you head from the break room to your desk. To transport your drink, make your hand into a claw-like shape over the top of the mug and grip the rim with your fingers. Experts say this is the most stable way to get your coffee where you want it.^{[4]
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- Holding it like this will keep you from burning your palm by wrapping your hand around a hot mug.
- However, if the beverage is really hot, the steam could burn the palm of your hand this way.
5
Hold a cold beverage by the mug handle. If you're drinking a chilled beverage that's served in a mug—like a Moscow mule—don't wrap your palms around the mug. The heat from your hand will warm up your drink and melt the ice. However, holding the mug by the handle will help keep your chilly treat nice and cold.^{[5]
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- Try using the etiquette-friendly approach here—loop your index finger through the handle and tuck your other 3 fingers into your palm.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Etiquette Tips

1
Keep the handle of the mug at 3 o’clock. Make sure the mug stays in this direction while you drink. Keep it this way when you set the mug down, too. This makes it easier to sip from the same spot every time. If you're wearing lipstick, this will keep you from getting a lipstick ring all the way around your mug.^{[6]
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- Even if you aren't wearing lipstick, it's considered good manners to drink from the same place on your mug with every sip.^{[7]
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- If you're left-handed, hold the handle at 9 o’clock instead.
2
Keep that pinky down. You may have seen “fancy” people holding a teacup with their pinky finger curled up. Guess what? That doesn’t apply to holding mugs. You might think it makes you look sophisticated, but manners experts disagree.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
3
Point the decal or design on the mug away from you. Rule of thumb is that other people should be able to enjoy your mug. If your mug has a witty saying or a beautiful picture, let others take in the view. When you’re around other people, always hold your mug so that the decorated part is facing away from you.^{[9]
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- Most mugs are made for right-handed people, so this is a little tricky for lefties. If you’re left-handed, you can either hold the mug in your right hand (which might feel awkward) or buy a few mugs that you can design yourself. There are tons of options for this in online shops!
4
Stir your coffee in a straight line. Whether you are holding your mug while you stir or it is resting on the table, etiquette dictates that you should draw a straight line down the center of your coffee cup to mix in your milk or sugar. Imagine your mug is a clock face. Start at 12 and draw the spoon down to 6.^{[10]
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- This will help reduce any splashing as you stir, and it may also help your sugar dissolve faster.
- Be sure not to let your spoon clink loudly against your mug if you're in polite company—it's considered rude.
5
Serve coffee by placing it on a saucer. Don't hand a mug directly to your guest—the position of the handle on the mug makes it a little awkward. Instead, serve a beverage in a mug by placing a saucer on the table and then placing the mug on the saucer.^{[11]
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- If you are serving a mug in a coffee shop, place the mug on the counter for your customer to take rather than handing it directly to them.

Expert Q&A

Question

Are you supposed to hold your pinky out when you drink from a teacup?

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.

Tami Claytor

Etiquette Coach

Expert Answer

No. The origin of this myth goes back to the price of tea. Tea used to be very expensive, and sticking your pinky out was historically a trendy thing for rich people to do. The two ended up being associated with one another, but there's no need for it.