If you’re unaware of the proper etiquette which governs how you should behave when you attend afternoon tea simply continue reading to discover a step by step guide to tea time etiquette.
Always pour your tea into your teacup first. Before adding milk to your tea. As doing so will make it easier for you to achieve your tea’s desired color and taste.
Leave your saucer on the table:
When you lift your teacup to your mouth, make sure that you leave your saucer on the table. It is only polite to lift your teacup’s saucer, if you are required to stand while you consume your cup of tea.
Move your spoon backwards and forwards from a 12 o’clock position to a 6 o’clock position:
Instead of moving your spoon around your teacup in a circular motion, it’s far more effective to move your spoon backwards and forwards, from a 12 o’clock position to a 6 o’clock position.
Place your used teaspoon behind your teacup:
Once you’ve finished stirring your tea, simply place your used teaspoon directly behind your tea cup, on your tea cup’s saucer
Let your tea sit for 3 minutes:
The more tea leaves which you use, the longer you should let your tea sit. In general, if you opt for a black cup of tea, you should let your tea sit for 3 minutes, before you consume it.
Look at your tea cup, when you sip your tea:
Unfortunately many individuals make the mistake of looking in-front of them, when they go to sip their cup of tea. However, you should always look into your cup of tea, when you sip from it, to avoid accidentally spilling any tea on your table, or on yourself.
Use a spoon to place your cream and jam and your scone and a knife to spread your cream and jam:
If you love to indulge in a freshly baked scone, with your tea, make sure to use a spoon to place your cream and jam onto your scone. Before using your knife to spread your cream and jam over your scone. However, you’re free to put either jam or cream on your scone first. As tea etiquette doesn’t dictate which spread you should place on your scone first.
Place your napkin on your lap just before your tea is served:
If you attend a formal afternoon tea, a staff member should place a napkin on your lap for you. However, if this doesn’t happen, place your napkin onto your lap, just before your tea is served.
Don’t stick your pinky finger out when you’re drinking tea:
In some cultures it’s extremely rude to stick your pinky finger out when you’re drinking tea. So it’s best to avoid doing so.
Know the difference between high tea and afternoon tea:
Afternoon tea features light items such as sandwiches, cakes and scones. While high tea typically features heavier items such as quiches and pies.
Hopefully you’re now a lot more confident, about how to behave and enjoy afternoon tea. Without breaking any etiquette rules. Especially if you plan on enjoying afternoon tea in the UK.
