High Tea Etiquette

Observing etiquette at High Tea is expected as it has been throughout the ages.As a Tea Set Wholesaler, share the high tea etiquette with everyone.

It was in 1840 when the 7th Duchess of Bedford requested that light sandwiches be brought to her during that sinking feeling in the late afternoon because of the long gap between lunch and dinner. She began asking others to join her and thus the afternoon tea tradition began. She wasn’t the only royal figure to engage in the afternoon tea ritual, Queen Victoria popularised and turned it into a formal occasion on a large scale known as a “tea reception”.

Today Queen Elizabeth hosts Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace in the summer. Hailing from such regal origins, it goes without saying that a real high tea experience requires the most polite persona and polished presentation.

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Our High Tea Etiquette Tips:

1. The host should extend an invitation specifying the time, location, and any special attire requests. Guests should arrive promptly, find their place card, and mingle.

2. Never start eating until everyone has been served unless, your host tells you not to wait.

3. A napkin – not serviette, folded along the diagonal and placed on your lap.

4. Avoid placing too much food on your plate. Tea service is intended to be a snack rather than a full meal.

5. Avoid picking items from the tower with your fingers, use your fork if servers aren’t provided.

6. Never remove a plate from the tower.If you do have servers, make sure they go back on the tier so guests may serve themselves.

7. Scones are like bread rolls and should be broken into manageable pieces with your hands, never cut with a knife and fork.

8. Use serving spoons to add jam and cream to your working plate and use a knife if there are no serving spoons but never “cross-pollinate” the condiments.

9. Stirring the tea in a back and forth motion. A light flick of the teaspoon above the cup when finished (to shake off the drips) is elegant. Tapping the spoon on the side of the cup is not.

10. Tea Set is essential. But only pick up your saucer if you are standing. If that is the case, pick up your cup and saucer together, holding your cup in one hand and the saucer in the other.

11. Chew your food with your mouth closed. Don’t wave your knife and fork around to make a point.

12. When finished fold the napkin and place to the side of your plate.

Unless it is offered don’t ask to take the leftover cakes home.

13. Did you know?Contrary to popular belief, extending your pinkie finger is not the done thing.

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What do ladies wear to high tea?

Customarily, traditional tea party attire is semi-formal. Usually, women attending tea wear fascinator hats, a dress, wrist length gloves, and bright colors. Traditionally, black is the one color that is not appropriate to wear to a tea party.

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