Hand bag etiquette for afternoon tea

Remember on Instagram when every other photo was of a designer handbag with a meal or afternoon tea photographed beside it? It was all the rage with food bloggers and fashion influencers and it almost seemed like a competition. I didn’t do this, partially for my lack of designer handbags, but because putting your handbag on the table is considered incorrect from an etiquette perspective.

Avoid placing your handbag on the table when taking afternoon tea.

Where should you put your handbag when taking afternoon tea?

If your handbag is a clutch size or purse, I would recommend it should go one of two places. Either behind your back on the seat if the chair has an appropriate back that it isn’t going to fall. Or you can put it on your lap, provided that it is small enough. Make sure that you put your napkin on top of your handbag. Some larger establishments bring a small handbag rest so you can place your handbag on it beside your table if it is a larger shoulder bag.

If it’s bigger like the one pictured, avoid putting it on the floor but instead try and put it on the seat beside you or a spare chair. If there isn’t room and at a worst-case scenario, use the strap to hook it around your knee so that it rests under the table on your foot. Personally, I will go to any length to avoid putting my handbag on the floor. Can you imagine how dirty the floor is! Best is to have a handbag hook so it’s out of the way and you know where it is at all times.

Places that you should avoid putting your handbag are the floor, the table or hang it on the bag of the chair. By putting it in any of these places you are risking getting it dirty, blocking your guests or by putting it on view for potential thieves.

Next time you go for afternoon tea you will know where to place your handbag. Please do tag me on on Instagram or Facebook. next time you go for afternoon tea.