Top 8 etiquette tips when going for afternoon tea
The etiquette around afternoon tea (or high tea for those who refer to it as that) can be an absolute minefield. Especially with some of the top London requiring dress codes the pressure to be on your best behaviour is high. To help navigate, I have put together a shortlist of what I consider to be the key etiquette points to remember when going for a splendid day out to enjoy afternoon tea.
This is first to highlight the importance, absolutely under no circumstances should you stick your little finger out when drinking tea. It doesn’t make you seem ‘fancier’ and it’s actually quite a faux pas. Remember pinkies in not pinkies out!
Scones should be broken with your fingers, not a knife.
Make sure you know which teas you should add milk to and which are best without milk. For example, you wouldn’t want to ruin a cup of Darjeeling by adding milk!
Keep mobile phones off the table. Afternoon tea is a chance to meet up with friends not spending your time checking your phone.
Remember the order to eat your afternoon tea sandwich course first then scones finishing with the pastry course. Don’t jump ahead of your fellow guests.
It’s called afternoon tea not high tea - learn the difference between the two different meals.
A napkin on your lap is a must! They aren’t part of the decoration, please use them.
Finally, and the most important, enjoy yourself!
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