Do you like to drink your chai tea curled up on a couch, with a book in one hand, the cup in the other, and zero thoughts about etiquette? —We can relate.

However, believe it or not, there is something known as tea etiquette, and to no one’s surprise, it’s a classic British thing. So, while you can definitely drink your tea any way you want on a self-care Sunday, you might want to be a little more sophisticated if you’re invited for tea for a special occasion.

Here’s what you need to know.

The Saucer Doesn’t Leave The Table

The saucer should always stay on the table when you’re drinking tea while sitting or standing near a table. You don’t need to bring it closer to you every time you take a sip. Of course, if you don’t have a table in reach, then it’s perfectly acceptable to hold the saucer in one hand while sipping your tea from the cup using the other hand.

Don’t Stir Up a Storm

The usual instinct is to stir in a circular motion, but that’s not the proper way if you’re trying to follow tea etiquette. Because firstly, that can cause a lot of chaos in the teacup, and it generally just looks too haphazard.

So, instead, fold the liquid back and forth as softly as possible using the spoon—keep it at 12 o’clock and then bring it down to 6 o’clock and back again. Do this about 2 to 3 times as gently as possible before removing the spoon from the cup and keeping it on the right side of your saucer.

Hold The Teacup Delicately

Sticking out the pinkie is no longer the proper or elegant way to hold your cup; it’s actually a major faux pas—so avoid that. Also, don’t wrap your hands around the cup—that’s how you drink coffee, not tea.

Teacups are typically more delicate, so the perfect way to hold them is by using your index finger and thumb to create a pinch-like hold around the handle’s loop. The middle finger can go to the cup’s bottom for extra support.

Also, before you head to a high tea, it’s great to practice all these tips at home, but make you buy our premium black tea online first. At Red Bud Tea Company, we have a large variety of tea you can choose from. Our herbal fruit teas and Indian spiced tea are the two most popular options online—check them out.