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Tea Time Etiquette
By Emanuel Elley
People all over the world love their tea, but no one enjoys proper teatime more than the British.
Teatime is more than a refreshing break; it's actually a social gathering. Friends and associates gather at teatime to relax for a tasty cuppa and some good company. Stereotypically, residents of England are viewed predominantly as tea drinkers. Many Britons are also expert tea growers and blenders.
Teatime in England is something that not everyone has the good fortune to experience, so remember to mind your manners should you ever be invited. If you are ever fortunate enough to participate in this noble British tradition, be sure to follow proper teatime etiquette.
As with every culture, the social rules and traditions have become lax over the years. English teatime etiquette is certainly not the staid ceremony that it used to be. In the early days, gentlemen were expected to pour their hot tea into the saucer, allowing it to become cool enough to drink. This tradition has long since disappeared, and anyone drinking tea in this manner would certainly raise some eyebrows in today's tearooms. Those following modern teatime etiquette would surely view this as rude and boorish behavior. Another archaic tradition saw the lady of the house keeping her tea under lock and key, and bringing it out only at teatime. This act is of course long past, and modern British hostesses keep their teas in a countertop canister.
Even in our modern society, there is certain etiquette to be followed when a British host or hostess invites you to teatime. For a proper teatime gathering, the hosts will forward written invitations to all of the guests. These invitations are designed to provide all of the detailed information that the guests will need, including what to expect. By sending invitations, the guests can
be fully prepared for the gathering and will not feel out of place.
There are certain items required for proper English teatime etiquette. A teapot is first and foremost. Silver teapots are used for all formal affairs, while china teapots are chosen for more casual or intimate gatherings. Tables are properly set with teaspoons, cups, saucers and a sugar bowl. Sugar tongs, a tea strainer, a lemon dish and a fork are among the required utensils. Forks are provided when cakes are being served, and knives are placed on the table to use with jam or cream for the scones. Every proper teatime table has a separate spoon for each jar of jam and cream. Refreshments are placed only on the table where the teatime guests are seated.
The host or hostess is expected to spend time entertaining his or her teatime guests, rather than fussing in the kitchen. Therefore, everything must be ready to serve before the guests arrive.
Holding a proper English teatime is a fun way to entertain friends. Set out your teapot, cups and saucers, serve fancy cakes or scones, and invite your friends to join in the fun. You must remember though, this is teatime, so do mind your manners. Article Source: Article Beam - a service of A1 Web Server Web Hosting Author Emanuel Elley enjoys writing for several today's best web sites, on home decor and family life subjects.
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