At least in the NYC public schools in the 80's, we were taught to hold a pen/pencil as you describe. I remember having one friend who held the writing instrume

At least in the NYC public schools in the 80's, we were taught to hold a pen/pencil as you describe. I remember having one friend who held the writing instrument between his index and middle fingers, the thumb at the tip. Really odd in the way he held it, and every teacher we had for 4 years, at the least, tried to correct him. I tried holding a pen as in the video, and even just miming, it felt really unnatural.