It's Teatime, Mind Your Manners

Tea is the beverage of choice for people around the world. Tea Time, however, belongs to the British.

We all love to break for tea when we need to steal a quiet moment to ourselves. But real teatime is meant to be shared with friends. Teatime is a social gathering with roots in old England. The British are indeed viewed as the world's tea drinkers, and many residents of England are also accomplished growers and blenders of fine teas.

If you are ever fortunate enough to attend teatime in England, it's important to mind your manners. There is a certain set of rules to be followed, known as teatime etiquette.

Teatime traditions have relaxed over the years, but certain points of etiquette do remain. Teatime in England is certainly not the stodgy ceremony that it once was. In the past, for example, the lady of the house would keep her tea safely locked away, and would bring it out only when her teatime guests came to call. Today, of course, British women keep their teas in canisters. Another old British tradition would require a gentleman to pour his tea into the saucer, and sip it only when it was cool enough to do so. Just imagine the reactions of patrons at a modern teahouse if a man rudely drank his tea in this manner!

Even though some traditions have gone by the wayside, other points of teatime etiquette remain. Modern hosts and hostesses of proper British teatime will expect certain behaviors from their guests. For example, teatime guests are sent written invitations which outline all of the detailed information. From these invitations, guests will know what to expect at the gathering and will not feel awkward in any way.

Proper English teatime etiquette requires certain essential items. First and foremost, there must be a teapot. China teapots are chosen for intimate gatherings, while silver teapots are the vessels of choice for more formal affairs. The table will be properly set with cups and saucers, teaspoons and a sugar bowl. Utensils including sugar tongs, tea strainer and a lemon dish and fork are set out. If cake is being served, forks will be provided. Knives are placed on the table for enjoying jam or cream with scones. The proper teatime table will have a separate spoon for each jar of jam and cream. Refreshments are placed on the table where guests are seated, and nowhere else.

No proper British teatime hostess or host spends her or his time fussing in the kitchen. The preparations are made beforehand, allowing the host or hostess to entertain the guests in proper fashion.

Anyone can enjoy proper British teatime. Invite some friends over, set the table with your prettiest teapot and utensils, and splurge on English scones and cream. Teatime is a wonderful way to enjoy the company of friends while sipping a favorite blend, any time at all.

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Columnist Emanuel Elley contributes to a variety of popular web magazines, on activity family and fun at home topics.