I am having a major argument with my brother, and I'm hoping you guys can help resolve this.

I'm telling my brother that it is a British formality to lift your pinky finger up while drinking from a glass or cup. Isn't it? Has anyone else heard of this?

Originally Posted by Rashad

I am having a major argument with my brother, and I'm hoping you guys can help resolve this.

I'm telling my brother that it is a British formality to lift your pinky finger up while drinking from a glass or cup. Isn't it? Has anyone else heard of this?

Salaam

from the UK and have never heard of this "formality".

peace

Yes ladies should drink tea in this manner with the pinky raised and they should use a small fine china decorative tea cup and saucer preferably with gold trim. And must drink in sips without making a noise while keeping perfect poise. But this is a high society custom so it dosn't matter for common girls or women they can just chug down a mug like a bloke.
It looks a bit gay if a man does it. It may be used as a signal from a poncy gay.

lol a MAAAJOR argument about a pinky.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a British formality. Its a habit used by very rich people, mostly royal if I'm not mistaken.

@ Zafran: I guess it's no longer a common practice.

@ Karl: Well, that's quite a bit of formality if you ask me. But that would be the British style, if I'm not mistaken. The American style is to stuff your mouth until you've reached obesity, or beyond.

@ Guven: Yes, a major argument indeed.

But I really thought this formality was more common than what you guys are claiming. Allahu Alam. Humans have become more indecent over the years.

some teachers/professors also do this while writing on the blackboard with a piece of chalk. wonder where does it come from

Aslaamu`Alaaykum Brother

Im a geeky British and im not that geeky enough to do something that geeky

And never heard of such an "Formality" , we britz maybe geeky in our so called "posh" accents (well for some), but we do NOT cross the limits in doing that!, well some may who knows, not me for sure, i think

Wa`Alaaykum Salaam

Originally Posted by Malaak

some teachers/professors also do this while writing on the blackboard with a piece of chalk. wonder where does it come from

That's because it gets in the way and rubs against the board, making the writing all wonky.

As for the sticky out finger when drinking tea, I always thought it was an oldddd tradition cos it's mentioned in books such as (for example) Tom Sawyer, and those were written ages ago.
Maybe a Victorian tradition?

I'm pretty sure they do it at the Buckingham Palace garden parties

Salaamz! i'm British and i'm from Leicester! you don't have to hold the pinky up some posh or, upper class people may do tht, however it is not a must!..it's optional! in fact, if you did do that nowadays, you'd probably get laughed at! [depending on who you're with of course ]

This is an older British formality; many here may not be aware of it.

Originally Posted by Rashad

I am having a major argument with my brother, and I'm hoping you guys can help resolve this.

I'm telling my brother that it is a British formality to lift your pinky finger up while drinking from a glass or cup. Isn't it? Has anyone else heard of this?

didn't know people had such sad conversations

Originally Posted by aadil77

didn't know people had such sad conversations

Arguing is what people are best at; one mustn't be at all surprised.

yeh ive heard of it.. i suppose its just a bad habit some men have especially british

my brother sees this as totally gay

Originally Posted by cat eyes

yeh ive heard of it.. i suppose its just a bad habit some men have especially british

my brother sees this as totally gay

Its very much a bad habit; as its one of the actions distinguishing between people of different social classes.

Wow, why all this empty talk during Ramadan???