# What's the Proper Way to Drink Out of a Tervis? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587 "2017-08-01T16:10:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/81 "2017-08-05T10:45:15Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > She always fills her cup and throws the lid on all willy-nilly. So I made sure to correct her by putting the spout on the same side as the label. This means the label (in her case a Green Bay Packers logo) is facing you. I told her how she needs to do it this way. You “correct” your wife on how she should follow your compulsions about trivia and she doesn’t tear out your lungs for throw pillows? I admire her forbearance: if I lectured my wife on how to use a cup like she was three years old, I’d be fishing for my own pancreas in my baby cup, and I’d richly deserve it. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/82 "2017-08-05T12:04:49Z")
Does “T-Cups” stand for Tervis cups? Is the op related to the Florida company in some way? The op’s initial claim that “most of America” drinks from this obscure overpriced tumbler at work while in fact I think most have never heard of the brand and if they happen to own one, buried deep in some cabinet, have it as a silly souvenir or given as promotional item by a company they patronize or work for, is so odd as to make wonder. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/83 "2017-08-05T13:19:14Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > The only reason I’m familiar with them is because a friend of ours from St.Louis loves them for her kids and had to visit the Tervis Store at the Mall of America when she visited. > I did buy one since I liked the idea of no condenstation on the outside of the tumbler but I never use it since I hate the lid. It’s that goofy style with the hole set too far back from the edge so you can never get the last swallow out and it usually leaves liquid on top of the lid which eventually runs down the side of the tumbler. Which is why I use straws with mine =) I had bought a case of 10 inch straws to use with them, I use the largest volume Tervis cup, both for the thermal qualities and because if tipped they won’t spill liquid as fast, so my computer tends to be safer from spills. And I put the lid on willy nilly =) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/84 "2017-08-05T15:16:02Z")
I’ve just learned that they’ve opened a Tervis store locally, in the French Quarter, about a year-and-a-half ago. Getting the impression that the Tervis brand, specifically, is becoming a niche upmarket version of a product that has been around forever (plastic tumblers). Judging by photos of the French Quarter store and customers therein, there does seem to be considerable “hipster” appeal. Someone upthread said they had never heard of Yeti cups. The Yeti company is a lot newer than Tervis – Yeti was founded in 2006 and started off selling upmarket metal ice chests to well-heeled hunters and fisherman in Texas and surrounding states. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/85 "2017-08-05T16:31:12Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > I was in a convenience store once buying myself a cup of coffee and an older gentleman took it upon himself to instruct me on the proper lid placement on cups containing hot beverages. The mouth hole, or whatever the hell you call the part of the lid you drink out of, should be directly opposite of the fold part of the cardboard cup. In that way, you can reduce the chances of unwanted spillage. Woah, thanks for the tip! - I’ve never heard of a Tervis cup either, and rarely seen one being used in the wild. I generally find it interesting to learn about something that is so well-known by one group and unheard of by others, however, so thanks for this thread. It looks like a nice cup, though. Now I want one to use at home. - I, too, was highly amused by the thought of someone using a Camelbak at work in an office. I know they make regular water bottles, having owned a couple myself, but in my experience, the thing you refer to as a “Camelbak” is always a pouch on your back. A water bottle made by Camelbak would just be called a water bottle. YMMV, of course. - If you like your cold stuff to stay cold, you want a[Takeya Thermoflask.](https://www.target.com/p/takeya-thermoflask-174-24oz-insulated-stainless-steel-water-bottle/-/A-52408043) This thing is unbelievable. I’ve found ice in there 24 hours after I put it in! I can refill the water multiple times without having to put new ice in. The lid design is fantastic too, and the whole thing is easy to clean. I bought a 2-pack at Costco this fall and went back and bought the rest they had so I could share the joy at Christmastime. I kept a few so I would have a stash in case mine was ever lost or wore out, such is my devotion. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/86 "2017-08-05T19:59:55Z")
1. Never heard the name ‘Tervis’ before seeing this thread title. 2. I don’t use one. Neither does my wife. 3. At work, I drink cold beverages from a travel mug, and coffee from a standard coffee cup. At home, I drink cold beverages from a glass. Made of glass, not plastic. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2017, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/87 "2017-08-06T08:25:01Z")
I rarely use my lid and did not even know I had a Tervis cup. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/88 "2017-08-07T01:08:15Z")
I have 4 Tervis tumblers. Three at home and one at work. I use a lid only on the work one and have never paid attention to which way the Fighting Illini orange I faces. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/89 "2017-08-07T13:57:00Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Same here, but in the opposite direction. > > Now I’m curious, **Sir T-Cups** : Among the people you know and interact with in your day-to-day life, would it be trivial for you to find a dozen people who know what a Tervis is? In other words, a lot of people around you know what a Tervis is by that name? For you and those around you, it really IS as common as saying “Kleenex” or “Band-Aid”? > > I ask because my own conjecture is that not more than one in 10,000 American adults would know what a “Tervis” is. But I am curious about whether or not the proportion of people who know “Tervis” shoots up dramatically if we limit our people to a certain age range, a certain region/city, certain occupations, etc. I can tell you right away that the brand is a national brand, so it has nothing to do with region or state or anything like that. Thinking back at previous work environments, I believe most people referred to it as their “cup”, and not necessarily “Tervis” (i.e. “have you seen my cup around?” versus “where is my Tervis?”). But I also would think if you asked those same people who made the cup, a majority would say Tervis. It could be an age thing. At 31, I’m not old by any means, but I’m not young either. I did mention earlier upthread that I’ve seen them become bigger in recent years. I first began noticing them in college (04-08) and saw them grow in various office environments and in grad school since then. I’m going off of college and office/cubicle-type environments where I see them. > [@Penfeather](#): > > You “correct” your wife on how she should follow your compulsions about trivia and she doesn’t tear out your lungs for throw pillows? I admire her forbearance: if I lectured my wife on how to use a cup like she was three years old, I’d be fishing for my own pancreas in my baby cup, and I’d richly deserve it. Once again, the perceived seriousness of the subject is beyond comical. I hardly “corrected” anyone and the fact that you likened my stupid comment to a “lecture” is even more beyond comical than the phrase “beyond comical”. > [@DSeid](#): > > Does “T-Cups” stand for Tervis cups? Is the op related to the Florida company in some way? Ha, I didn’t think about my username when creating the thread, but I guess they do match up pretty well. No, my username is based off a college nickname and has nothing to do with the brand. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/90 "2017-08-07T15:33:15Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I can tell you right away that the brand is a national brand, so it has nothing to do with region or state or anything like that. The cups themselves (at least, that TYPE of cup) are certainly available nationally. Tervis, the company, has been around for 70 years, so they’ve got a long history. What I meant was that calling that type of cup a “Tervis” might be a regional usage – not that Tervis-brand cups were only available regionally. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/91 "2017-08-07T15:38:51Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I did mention earlier upthread that I’ve seen [Tervis] become bigger in recent years. I’m curious about how long Tervis has been opening dedicated stores for selling their cups, both in malls and standalone. The popularity of the cups has perhaps been rising hand-in-hand with the opening of Tervis stores? Whenever I’ve seen Tervis or Tervis-type tumblers for sale in the past, it’s usually been in places that sell sports-fan merchandise. That runs the gamut from big-box WalMart & Target, to college bookstores, stadium/arena gift shops, and even smaller boutique retailers. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/92 "2017-08-07T16:45:04Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I’m curious about how long Tervis has been opening dedicated stores for selling their cups, both in malls and standalone. The popularity of the cups has perhaps been rising hand-in-hand with the opening of Tervis stores? > > Whenever I’ve seen Tervis or Tervis-type tumblers for sale in the past, it’s usually been in places that sell sports-fan merchandise. That runs the gamut from big-box WalMart & Target, to college bookstores, stadium/arena gift shops, and even smaller boutique retailers. This could very well be true. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/93 "2017-08-07T17:26:27Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Once again, the perceived seriousness of the subject is beyond comical. Perceived seriousness is brought about by the seriousness of which the OP presented the topic. > [@](#): > > I hardly “corrected” anyone “Hardly correcting” is still correcting. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/94 "2017-08-07T18:05:00Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Perceived seriousness is brought about by the seriousness of which the OP presented the topic. To which I say there was no indication that this was a serious topic. The topic subject in and of itself isn’t serious. It’s how to put a lid on a drinking device for Chrissakes. > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > “Hardly correcting” is still correcting. Another good example of focusing on pedantry and extrapolating it to way too much of an extreme, but I’ll rephrase: I hardly call what I said a correction at all. I’ll say it yet again, the seriousness of this topic, and the attitude to which I have about it is less “Should gay people get married” and more “Great taste or less filling” ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/95 "2017-08-07T18:12:42Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > To which I say there was no indication that this was a serious topic. To which I say there was no indication that this was a silly topic. > [@](#): > > but I’ll rephrase: I hardly call what I said a correction at all. Yet you chose to use these words. > [@](#): > > So I made sure to correct her by putting the spout on the same side as the label. If you don’t consider what you did to be correcting someone then why did you say, “correct her”? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/96 "2017-08-07T23:13:13Z")
I have a 9 year old 7-11 Super Big Gulp cup I reuse. Every now and again, I spray it inside and out with shellac. Hot drinks taste a little bit like shellac, cold drinks are fine. I glued a dead frog to the outside sometime around around August 2013, purely for decoration. Frog always faces out. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/97 "2017-08-08T22:59:53Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > What’s getting me with these responses is the apparently seriousness you all took this topic to be. > > The fact that most people hadn’t heard of the Tervis brand nonwithstanding (that’s actually been the most interesting part of the thread to me tbh), the latest batches of responses have made it seem like where the label goes is a matter of life and death, or something that needs actual, serious discussion about. > > I started the thread because of a dumb comment I made to Ms. Cups, which caused her to retort with another dumb comment, which lead me to think “Hm, I wonder what my internet friends will say”. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. My desire to entertain myself during my workday was more of a reason to start the thread than any actual opinions I have on the subject. > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > To which I say there was no indication that this was a serious topic. The topic subject in and of itself isn’t serious. It’s how to put a lid on a drinking device for Chrissakes. > > Another good example of focusing on pedantry and extrapolating it to way too much of an extreme, but I’ll rephrase: I hardly call what I said a correction at all. > > I’ll say it yet again, the seriousness of this topic, and the attitude to which I have about it is less “Should gay people get married” and more “Great taste or less filling” So when you said that “most of America” drinks out of a Tervis cup while at work, that you “made sure to correct” your wife by putting the spout of the lid on the same side as the logo, and “told her that she needs to do it” that way, that you do it that way because the label is your “favorite thing,” and that “you choose your Tervis design specifically because it’s something you like and want to show it off,” you were being tongue-in-cheek? OK, but nothing you said in those posts gave any indication of that. You’re the one who made it sound like where the label goes is a matter of life and death, and the responses have been to the effect of “how come you think something so trivial is a matter of life and death?” ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587/98 "2017-08-09T15:49:58Z")
I just assumed the overall subject manner of the topic was trivial enough that it wouldn’t even be an issue. Lesson learned I guess [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-proper-way-to-drink-out-of-a-tervis/792587.md?page=4)