Havdala - Standing or Sitting

Igros Moshe (OC V #20.17) Question Should Havdala be said standing or sitting?Answer The most widespread custom is to say havdala standing. Because this is not viewed as merely a beracha on eating or drinking. This seems reasonable because in fact it is prohibited to eat and drink before saying Havdalah and itself it is not a type of eating. In fact even if you don’t eat at all you still need to say havdala and according to Rashi you don’t even need to drink the wine of havdala and it is not considered a vain beracha. So the beracha said on the wine is clearly not viewed as a beracha on pleasure and therefore there is no requirement to sit. It would follow from this that havdala should only be said standing. However many sit for havdala since one person says for others and that requires sitting. Thus it is a dispute among the poskim whether sitting or standing is better. Therefore it is best to follow the custom of one’s father. I personally say havdala sitting as this was my father’s custom.

Igros Moshe (OC V #16.5) Question: Regardings those who say Kiddush standing what do they do for Pesach? Answer  The custom to stand even in the home is not based on halacha.  The Rema indicates (271:10) that it is best not to stand for kiddush because it is not so much the place of the meal however if a person really wants he can stand. Thus he clearly gives preference to sitting. Thus those who insist on standing for kiddush are going against the Remah and thus the custom. Even for Havdalah where the common practice is to stand, the Remah says there are those who stand for havdala and this is the prevailing custom. Tosfos also notes that the prevailing custom is to stand and notes that there is a problem when it is said for others since kevius is required which requires sitting. Tosfos also doesn’t say that one must stand because of custom and indicates it is best to sit for Havdalah.  . Consequently  everyone agrees that for kiddush it is best to sit even if it means that for saying vayechulu it is necessary to stand and the Remah adds that one can remain standing for the rest of kiddush. Nevertheless he concludes it is best to sit. Thus vayechulu is said standing  and then one should sit for the rest of kiddush . He even says there are those who sit also for vayechulu since vayechulu was already said standing in ynagogue. .