The UK may be in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis - but that hasn't stopped takeaway coffees serving as a daily (non-negotiable) luxury for countless people. Last year, a study by Project Cafe discovered the average cost of a latte in the UK has risen to an eye-watering £3.51 - thereby turning the humble takeaway cup into something of a status symbol.
![[If you've ever been guilty of holding an open coffee cup one-handed, Hayley says it is indicative of a 'rebellious spirit']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94287623-14287557-If_you_ve_ever_been_guilty_of_holding_an_open_coffee_cup_one_han-a-1_1737371163705.jpg)
And according to culture expert Hayley Knight, the way people hold their coffee cups actually reveals a lot about their personality and 'personal brands'. The co-founder of BE YELLOW PR agency - told FEMAIL: 'Coffee as a status symbol has evolved from being a simple beverage to a representation of lifestyle, power, and personal values.
![[Opting for a brand like Starbucks and holding it in a nonchalant manner demonstrates how a person is conscious of their 'curated image']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94287849-14287557-Opting_for_a_brand_like_Starbucks_and_holding_it_in_a_nonchalant-a-2_1737371163707.jpg)
'Carrying a coffee cup, especially in professional or urban settings, often signifies busyness, purpose, and a sense of belonging to a fast-paced, productive world, and a sense of understanding their place in it. 'Whether the coffee cup is a branded takeaway cup or an eco-friendly thermos, it is a small but obvious symbol of identity, priorities, and the placement of modern social dynamics.'.
![[According to Hayley, people who fall into this pose - first demonstrated by Bella Hadid - are trying to convey their 'self-assurance' to the world]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94287847-14287557-According_to_Hayley_people_who_fall_into_this_pose_first_demonst-a-4_1737371163714.jpg)
Here FEMAIL reveals the most evocative takeaway coffee grips and what they say about you. Pictured: Culture expert Hayley Knight - who is the co-founder of BE YELLOW PR agency - demonstrates how a double grip showcases a person's 'easy demeanour'. If you prefer to loosely grip your coffees rather than putting them in a carrier, the expert says you're telling the world you have an 'unpretentious' personality.
![[Holding your coffee high in one hand paints the picture of a busy, working woman - and also feeds into one's personal style too]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94287845-14287557-Holding_your_coffee_high_in_one_hand_paints_the_picture_of_a_bus-a-6_1737371163721.jpg)
