What's The Point Of Cup/Mug Handles..

Hiya Janey, Us too we were brought up that way as well. It makes me wonder how many of them do not get scalded in some way by the hot liquid holding the cup the wrong way. It´s true that you can have Cups without handles on example (the ones they have found on historical Sites) but that is about it I would think. Even as Babies we had a Cup with two handles on not one. Do you reckon we ought to have two instead and it might get to be a Fashion. If we did´nt have Cups we had those Baby Bottle things. But me I discarded them ever since I could walk I was using a Cup with a handle. I suppose I wanted to seem grown up already.

I wonder that sometimes myself. If I am outside and my hands are freezing and I get a mug of tea, then I would be tempted to warm my hands, but I wouldn't thinking of making myself warmer indoors, so I tend to use the handle. Mind you, he handle did come off in my hands from my favourite mug.. Hot tea all over my clean jeans! _Derek

It really bother you how someone holds a cup? You're bothered by the idea that some families actually eat together? What punishment do you think should be doled out to those who don't hold mugs, or eat breakfast in the manner YOU seem to demand?

Actually, if you have problems with your fingers, it's safer to hold the cup with your hands... Sometimes I use the handle, and sometimes, like when my arthritis is bothering me, I'll just "cup" the cup in my hands, especially if it's a large mug. As for our soap stars, they probably don't want to damage their manicures...

Hang on Janey if they don't make mugs with handles what are we going to be left holding when mug and handle part company in the washing up? I've only just got used to mugs after cups and saucers. I always drank my tea from the saucer and now they "supersize" me by putting my brew in a mug!

Why on earth is this upsetting. If the mug is well insulated they can choose to use the handle or not. Not using the handle can be more comfortable, especially is you habe arthritis. I figure that is totally up to the individual and no business of mine.

Very interesting discussion, hehe. Just goes to show you, that you can have a discussion about anything. Answer to your question, (inquiring minds want to know). I use the handle, duh thats what it is there for. If you have hot liquids in it and hold it by the sides, its hot-another duh.

I've got to confess that I'm guilty of doing this from time to time. Though it really depends on how hot the contents are. If it's hot, then you have to hold the cup by the handle, but when it's cooled down it's easier to hold the thing by wrapping my mitt around it especially if it's a big mug. I'd not dream of holding one of those dainty tea cups that way though! Not being very dainty myself, I always drink my tea out of a 1/2 pint mug and coffee out of a bigger one. I don't know what it's capacity is as it's an American mug and not of a standard size. It's probably about 3/4 of a pint or maybe a bit less. There's my fathers old pint mug in the kitchen cupboard as well. Wrapping one's hands around it is the safest way to go when it's filled with hot tea! And then there's the pleasure on a cold morning of wrapping your hands around a hot mug to warm them up!

I'd have a couple of mugs with no handles (that were designed that way!) They'd be insulated and double walled types,designed as travel mugs,and practically unbreakable,as they're of steel construction. I would use a mug handle when holding a regular mug,but sometimes,especially when it's cold,I might hold a larger mug so as to warm my hands on the outer surface of it..I haven't drank from a teacup at home in a long time..I like my mugs!

they are supposed to pick up the cup/mug and if the handle isn't there, pick it up ANYWAY, they aren't HOT! They may well be empty!

I think that a mug is meant to have handles to appear sweet looking. The same could be said about a cup. I know most people using a mug or a cup hold it and not the handle. I have a mug tree with six mugs hanging on it by their handle. When there is a very hot drink made from boiling water it is sensible to hold the handle. This is for the sake of safety.

blame travel mugs. they're so well insulated you really don't need to use the handle..and people forget using "real" china.of course,some remember real fast when they pick up a hot one..

The handle is needed when the drink is very hot, when it cools down it's more comfortable and convenient to hold the actual mug or cup.

Haha this is an interesting discussion! I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about this before. I agree though, hardly anybody uses it! But, occasionally I use it if whatever is in the mug is too hot or too cold. So, i guess in a way they can be useful.

haha funny i tried to imagine the same thing.. if i saw some soap stars holding their mugs not at the handle. i myself is sometimes guilty of this, like i hold the mug's body instead of the handle when i give the mug to my mom so she can hold the mug at the handle... well... i guess sometimes its easier to hold in the body than in the handle because some handles are not very comfortable to the fingers, making you feel uneasy really that thhe mug might slip or something like that...

Oh well, I guess the handles are there for a reason and it is really up to the person using the cup/mug to use them or not...... Just as an illustration, we know in supermarkets there are trolleys and baskets, but still there are people who walk around the supermarket carrying stuff using their hands and not using any of those amenities provided! But for me, I always use the cup/mug handle regardless of whether I am drinking a hot or cold drink. If someone else chooses not to use the handle, I won't get annoyed because ultimately, that is their choice and if anything happens, that is their problem......

It's because other people bother holding the handles that's why the manufacturers bother making those.

lol, I guess I'm half-strange (perhaps half-annoying to you!) I drink by the handle if my drink is hot, but as my drink cools down I find I'm holding it by the *gulp!* soap star way! They should have handles else we'd burn our hands if they didn't! :-p

I usually hold coffee (not much of a tea drinker) cups by the handle. It's easier to hold. But sometimes I've been known to wrap my hands around the cup...usually when my hands are cold and I'm trying to warm them up. So I do both, but I'm glad they have handles.

I am certain that the director of soap doesn't use the handle as a rule when he holds a tea or coffee cup .Once one forms a habit ,it comes natural to he.I am sure to use the handle if I do it, lest they slip from my hand,besides the handle isn't the ears of deaf person-ornament(here,it is a saying.).