British Afternoon Tea Etiquette

British Afternoon Tea Etiquette

Introduction: In 1840, Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, ordered her servants to prepare tea at 4 p.m. every day. A tea tray with butter, bread and cakes, because she found herself hungry every day at 4pm, when the popular dinner time was 8pm. She soon found this new habit so addictive that she invited other women to join her. This tea break soon became a social trend at the time. By the 1880s, upper-class women would put on long gowns, gloves and hats to enjoy afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea, from the beginning of the 19th century to the present, its inheritance and development has been carried out according to the biological clock of the upper class people. It does not only include tea and snacks, but also uses Cups and utensils, cutlery, decorations, trays and even a tablecloth or napkin, as well as classical chamber music performances, are all required to be refined and to be done to the extreme.

As for the origin of British afternoon tea, it is said that it was invented by Duchess of Bedford (Ms. Anna), a British Duchess of Bedford (Ms. Anna) in the Victorian era who knew how to enjoy life in the early 1830s. In order to pass the free time between the afternoon and the night banquet (usually until 8 or 9 p.m.) and satisfy her hunger, Ms. Anna invites relatives and friends to gather for afternoon tea with cakes and black tea, and enjoy a relaxing and comfortable afternoon together. By 1840, thin slices of cucumber sandwiches and sponge cakes were being served at the new tea estates in Vauxhall and Marylebone. By the post-Victorian era, afternoon tea had evolved into a unique meal, including sandwiches, traditional afternoon tea cakes and scones.

Afternoon tea is a time for ladies to show off their beautiful teapots and ceramics, and it has gradually become a high-end social platform for gentlemen to chat. In various elegant environments, aristocratic etiquette culture is also integrated into it. For example, when a woman lightly opens a freshly baked muffin, the nearby man does not have to hesitate at all and must immediately pick up the silver tray of cream and jam and hand it to the woman.

With the expansion of British colonies, afternoon tea culture was exported both at home and abroad, showing its aristocratic demeanor everywhere. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, Shanghai was the most famous "adventurer's paradise". Politicians, businessmen, stars, and celebrities from all over the world gathered here. While constructing their own territory in the designated concession area, the colonists also believed that they could best display their identity and The traditional and trendy lifestyle of status are brought to Shanghai. High-rise buildings are rising from the ground, and singing and dancing are heard every day along the Huangpu River. From Yangjingbang (now Yan'an East Road) to the Waibaidu Bridge on the Bund, the British and Americans lead the Yinggeyanwu, afternoon tea? Representing the British aristocracy or The recreational and social model of unique status people has also been imprinted on every corner of the Old Waitan.

Today, when we are overwhelmed by the impetuous Hong Kong and Taiwan culture, when any fast food restaurant or tea restaurant uses the overused "afternoon tea" as a signboard, we see that, As the world's top hotel management brands with glorious histories, such as Fairmont, Peninsula and Waldorf Astoria, have changed their ways and established themselves on the Bund in Shanghai in the new century, we find that what remains unchanged is not only their luxurious and warm services and customer service that have remained unchanged for nearly a century. What does it feel like to be home, and more importantly? Afternoon tea, British noble style, a refreshing classic style experience in the chaotic air.

11 British Afternoon Tea Etiquette Rules

When drinking tea, drink it in small sips because the tea is boiling hot.

The tea-drinking posture is to directly pick up the teacup to drink tea without a teacup tray; or directly pick up a set of tea sets, hold the cup in one hand to drink tea, and hold the teacup tray in the other hand.

If you need to leave your seat for a short time during afternoon tea (around the dining table), you need to pick up a set of tea sets, raise a cup to drink tea with one hand, and hold the tea cup tray with the other hand. During this period, if you need pastries, you can Arrange pastries around teacup tray.

After taking a seat, when tasting pastries, the pastries must be placed on a special dessert plate before eating.

Do not eat directly from the snack plate holder.

Do not talk when drinking tea and eating cakes.

Try not to let women initiate requests. When a woman breaks open a waffle, the nearest man must immediately hand over a tray of cream and jam to the woman. The woman must accept it politely or say softly, "No, thank you."

When the waiter pours tea for anyone present, he must say "thank you". The woman at the same table does not have to pour the tea herself. The man must pour the tea for the woman. While the woman and the man being entertained are pouring the tea, they can say "thank you" or tap the table with their hands to express their gratitude.

The teaspoon that comes with the tea set is used to mix the milk and sugar in the tea cup. Do not put it in your mouth. If you need a spoon, ask the waiter for one.

The order of eating is salty first, then sweet, then half-sweet muffins, and finally chocolate.

During afternoon tea, if outsiders come to greet you (afternoon tea is more casual and different from dinner in formality), it is also important. If a man comes, no one here needs to stand up to greet him. The men here can choose to stand up and shake hands politely or not.

If a woman comes, the men present must stand up to greet her, regardless of whether they know her or not. The visiting woman says "Thank you" to mean that the man can do whatever he wants. Otherwise, the man must remain standing until the woman finishes saying hello and leaves or expresses Take your seat. Men can sit down only after waiting for women to take their seats. During this time, the lady does not have to stand up, she can just nod. Only when someone whom everyone respects (such as a head of state or a company leader or a head of a family) comes to greet the person, should the ladies present need to stand up to greet them. ;