Karl and Sarah taught manners by etiquette coach

Their faces grace Australian television screens every weekday morning, so it makes sense that Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo brush up on some manners.

The Today hosts called upon the help of British etiquette coach William Hanson to make sure they are on top of what's right and what's not when it comes to some everyday habits.

"Good manners require effort and respect for others and also self-respect as well," Hanson said.

So apart from basics like staying to the left when using an escalator, or holding a door open for another individual, these are some of the other decorum the duo were tested on.

Eating spaghetti

While often a restaurant will provide a spoon with a spaghetti meal to help keep it on the fork, Hanson said you should not use it under any circumstances.

"You are using just a fork, ignore the spoon, even if the restaurant provides a spoon - don't touch it," he said.

Karl and Sarah basically had the correct form, however Karl needed reminding not to heap too much on the fork and take your time.

"Lean in slightly and twirl, don't cut pasta with your fork," Hanson said.

Drinking tea

While some may think holding a tea cup with your pinky in the air somehow makes you fancy, Hanson had a rude awakening on where that practice actually originated.

"Don't extend the little finger when drinking tea or coffee," he said.

"That goes back to the court of Louis XIV to show someone had syphilis."

Karl was not expecting that reasoning, but it got the message across to keep the pinky down when drinking tea.

Other things to remember are not to stir round and round, but rather back and forth "in a delicate motion with a little flick above the mug before you set the teaspoon back down on the side".

"No noise, please. We're not in a toddlers' orchestra," Hanson reminded Karl and Sarah.

For more advice and tips on correct etiquette, you can follow Hanson's podcast here