What are the etiquette for drinking coffee

How to Hold a Coffee Cup

Coffee served after meals is generally poured into small‑sized cups with tiny handles too narrow for fingers to pass through. Even with larger cups, never slip your fingers through the handle to lift the cup. The proper way is to pinch the handle gently between your thumb and index finger and raise the cup.

How to Add Sugar to Coffee

For granulated sugar, scoop it directly into the cup using a coffee spoon. For sugar cubes, use sugar tongs to place the cube on the near side of the saucer first, then slide it into the cup with the coffee spoon. Dropping a sugar cube straight into the cup with tongs or your hands may cause coffee to splash and stain your clothes or tablecloth.

How to Use a Coffee Spoon

A coffee spoon is designed solely for stirring. Remove it from the cup before you drink. Do not sip coffee one spoonful at a time, and never crush sugar cubes against the bottom of the cup with the spoon.

What to Do If the Coffee Is Too Hot

If freshly brewed coffee is scalding hot, stir it gently with the spoon to speed up cooling, or simply let it cool down naturally. Blowing on the coffee to cool it is considered impolite.

Using the Cup and Saucer

Coffee cups and saucers are specially matched tableware. Place the set directly in front of the drinker or on their right‑hand side, with the cup handle pointing toward the right. While drinking, hold the cup handle in your right hand and lightly support the saucer with your left hand, then bring the cup slowly to your mouth and sip gently. Avoid gripping the whole cup, gulping in large mouthfuls or bending down toward the cup. Make no slurping noises. When refilling coffee, keep the cup resting on its saucer.

Coffee and Snacks

You may enjoy light snacks alongside your coffee. However, do not alternate between taking a bite of snack and a sip of coffee while holding both items at the same time. Set down your snack before drinking coffee, and put the coffee cup aside before you eat.