| Tea is the beverage of choice for people | | | | remain. Modern hosts and hostesses of proper |
| around the world. Tea Time, however, belongs | | | | British teatime will expect certain behaviors |
| to the British. | | | | from their guests. For example, teatime |
| | | | guests are sent written invitations which |
| The phrase "tea time" is typically used to | | | | outline all of the detailed information. From |
| refer to a social gathering. As the name | | | | these invitations, guests will know what to |
| suggests, friends will gather at teatime to | | | | expect at the gathering and will not feel |
| relax over a steaming cuppa. The people of | | | | awkward in any way. |
| England are stereotypically viewed as | | | | |
| prominent tea drinkers, and many Britons are | | | | There are certain items required for proper |
| expert tea growers and blenders. | | | | English teatime etiquette. A teapot is first |
| | | | and foremost. Silver teapots are used for all |
| If you ever have the good fortune to attend a | | | | formal affairs, while china teapots are |
| proper English teatime, accept the invitation | | | | chosen for more casual or intimate |
| and, for heaven's sake, mind your manners. | | | | gatherings. Tables are properly set with |
| Not everyone has the good fortune to | | | | teaspoons, cups, saucers and a sugar bowl. |
| participate in teatime, and etiquette is an | | | | Sugar tongs, a tea strainer, a lemon dish and |
| important part of the tradition. | | | | a fork are among the required utensils. Forks |
| | | | are provided when cakes are being served, and |
| As with every culture, the social rules and | | | | knives are placed on the table to use with |
| traditions have become lax over the years. | | | | jam or cream for the scones. Every proper |
| English teatime etiquette is certainly not | | | | teatime table has a separate spoon for each |
| the staid ceremony that it used to be. In the | | | | jar of jam and cream. Refreshments are placed |
| early days, gentlemen were expected to pour | | | | only on the table where the teatime guests |
| their hot tea into the saucer, allowing it to | | | | are seated. |
| become cool enough to drink. This tradition | | | | |
| has long since disappeared, and anyone | | | | No proper British teatime hostess or host |
| drinking tea in this manner would certainly | | | | spends her or his time fussing in the |
| raise some eyebrows in today's tearooms. | | | | kitchen. The preparations are made |
| Those following modern teatime etiquette | | | | beforehand, allowing the host or hostess to |
| would surely view this as rude and boorish | | | | entertain the guests in proper fashion. |
| behavior. Another archaic tradition saw the | | | | |
| lady of the house keeping her tea under lock | | | | Anyone can enjoy proper British teatime. |
| and key, and bringing it out only at teatime. | | | | Invite some friends over, set the table with |
| This act is of course long past, and modern | | | | your prettiest teapot and utensils, and |
| British hostesses keep their teas in a | | | | splurge on English scones and cream. Teatime |
| countertop canister. | | | | is a wonderful way to enjoy the company of |
| | | | friends while sipping a favorite blend, any |
| Even though some traditions have gone by the | | | | time at all. |
| wayside, other points of teatime etiquette | | | | |