Video:Proper Etiquette for Afternoon Tea in London

Transcript:Proper Etiquette for Afternoon Tea in London

My name is Simon Rodway. I am a Blue Badge tourist guide here in London and I am here for About.com to describe a little about the proper etiquette of afternoon tea here in London. And here we are in the garden room of the Athenaeum Hotel in London's Picadilly.

Etiquette for Afternoon Tea in London

Clothing, really, smart casual will be fine in a kind of environment like this. And tea, of course, is quite a personal taste thing. And we have all the essential ingredients here of lovely white napkins, silverware, we have got some lovely chinaware here and we are about to experience a delightful cup of Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling.

And, your question, of course, milk first? Milk second? Generally, the idea would be to pour your tea first and then, afterwards, add your milk, so you can actually judge the colour and strength of the tea.

Personally, I take tea black. I think that is a much nicer taste to it and it is less of a kind of food. Pouring milk with it does kind of turn it into a food.

Also, another option is to sweeten your tea with honey.

Food Options for Afternoon Tea in London

What to eat with your tea? We have a selection here of scones and finger sandwiches. The idea of course is that afternoon tea is not a meal as such, it is a pick-me-up. It is a little soothing pick-me-up towards the end of the afternoon. The idea is not to fill your face. It is merely to just get a little bit of, enough energy again just to keep you ready for the evening. And of course, the way people are, they turn it into a social occasion.

So, afternoon tea, in London. And I am here for About.com. Delicious!