In ordinary life, people do not really think about the intricacies of table etiquette. Meanwhile, in high society, they are given a lot of attention. Including how to properly use the saucer served with a coffee or tea cup.
Tea drinking
The rules of etiquette say that the question of raising the cup during tea drinking is decided depending on how far the guests are from the table. If the drink is served at the dining table, you do not need to lift the saucer, you just need to lift the cup and bring it to your mouth. In the event that tea is served on a low coffee table, the plate together with the cup must be lifted with the left hand to chest level and held in this position until the end of the tea party. With his right hand, the guest gently takes the cup, takes one or two sips and puts it back.
The custom of raising a couple of tea causes so much controversy because in films describing the aristocratic life of the 19th century, ladies drink tea while drinking tea, holding the dishes at chest level. This is understandable: the aristocrats at that time wore tight corsets that did not allow them to bend over to the table, so the rules of etiquette allowed women to raise the saucer so as not to shower themselves. Today this custom is outdated and women drink tea as well as men.
There are special rules of conduct at the table in the event that tea is served with lemon. A slice of lemon is picked up from the cup with a spoon, gently taken with your fingertips and placed on the saucer that was served with the cup. After that, the spoon is put back, the cup is turned with the handle to the right, and the tea-drinking continues.
Under no circumstances should you drink a drink from a saucer. Even 100 years ago, drinking tea from a saucer was considered normal among representatives of the bourgeois and merchant class. Since there are no estates today, this behavior only testifies to a low level of culture and ignorance of the rules of etiquette.
Coffee etiquette rules
While drinking coffee, the same rules apply as during tea drinking: if it is difficult to reach the table, the saucer can be raised to chest level. In addition to the drink itself, cream, sugar in a sugar bowl, milk are served on the table. Coffee with milk or cream, as well as iced coffee, are served in tea or special cups on tea plates. These plates are not supposed to be lifted with the cup.
When serving on a table covered with a tablecloth, saucers are first placed, on them cups. The spoon is also placed on a saucer. After stirring the sugar, the guest can put the spoon either on the plate in the same “position”, or turn it over with the “springboard” and put it so that the upper part touches the saucer and the lower one rests on the table.
