You've been holding your coffee wrong

By Maria Mercedes Galuppo, Buzz60

Coffee is an extremely popular beverage, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone is holding their cups of joe the right way.

In fact, chances are, they aren't!

SEE ALSO: Healthiest foods to get at Starbucks, by the calories

According to Myka Meier, founder and director of Beaumont Etiquette, when it comes to holding a coffee cup, there are rules of you need to follow.

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First off, you need to loop your index finger into the handle and put your thumb on top of it to hold the weight. You may then tuck the rest of your fingers into the palm of your hand.

It's not just coffee. There is etiquette that applies to drinking tea, too.

Though you may be drinking it out of the same cup, you'll have to hold it differently.

When it comes to tea, never loop your finger into the handle. Instead, take a "pinch and support" approach. Use your index finger and thumb to pinch, and use your middle finger to provide support.

When you place your cup of tea or coffee down, always position the handle to 3 o'clock, that way your lipstick mark is only on one side.

Another pro-tip when it comes to hot beverages: Avoid the whirlpool effect when stirring your drink, and instead move the spoon backward and forward.

In general, avoid the pinky up grip -- it doesn't make you look as sophisticated as you think!