My Aunt Kristi and I went and had high tea to celebrate our birthday month. Kristi has taken me to tea parlors ever since I was a little girl. There used to be a beautiful tea parlor downtown 15 years ago called Lady Elizabeth. We would go eat scones, finger sandwiches, and petit fours. Then lovely women dressed in magnificent gowns would serve us high tea. It brought so much joy to me as a little girl. Well we have kept up the tradition and still go to tea parlors.
Gardner Village has a little shop called Protea Cottage that serves high tea. We took mom and Kari with us this time. We wore silly hats and laughed a lot. I was looking at their website and found their tea etiquette.
Gardner Village has a little shop called Protea Cottage that serves high tea. We took mom and Kari with us this time. We wore silly hats and laughed a lot. I was looking at their website and found their tea etiquette.
The Protea CottageGuide to Basic Tea Etiquette
1. Always arrive punctually in appropriate attire.
2. Be seated quietly and retain good posture..
3. Never sit with shoes on chairs. Feet should always be on the floor. Parents are asked toensure that even young children sit properly.
4. Use appropriate language and voice modulation.
5. Always remember to say “please” and “thank you”.
6. Do not chew gum at tea.
7. Unfold napkin placed on your left upon being seated and keep on your lap. If you leave thetable at any time during tea, loosely folded napkin should be left on your seat.Upon returning, place on the lap. At the end of tea, loosely folded napkins should be placedon the table once more.
7. When pouring tea, do not tilt teapot too far or attempt to pour too quickly. A modest flowof tea ensures less spillage or dripping.
8. Milk should be poured into cup first, followed by black tea or Rooibos.Do not use milk with green tea, herbals or fruit tisanes as it will curdle.
9. Stir one or two sugar cubes gently into hot tea.
10. Sip your tea quietly without playing with the teacup and never with teaspoon still in cup.
11. Little finger should NOT be lifted into air. (It's just pretentious..)Hold the teacup by handle with one hand only. Place back on saucer in between sips of tea.
12. Select one or two items from food selection: it is correct to begin with hot scones,then sandwiches and finally, cakes and tea breads.Do not stretch over others – ask for food to be passed to you instead.
13. Do not dunk your biscuits (cookies) in your tea. (Save that for an inferior brew.)
14. Heed your Mum’s advice: chew with your mouth closed and do not talk with your mouth full.
15. Do not allow children to play boisterously or to be disruptive towards others enjoying tea.
16. Do not imitate your hostess’s accent.
17. Enjoy yourself and come back again for tea soon!
I think we broke about 99.9% of these rules. Except the one that says enjoy yourself!!!! We are lucky they did not kick us out.
I think we broke about 99.9% of these rules. Except the one that says enjoy yourself!!!! We are lucky they did not kick us out.
2 comments:
That is such a great tradition! What great memories you must have! FUN!
What a fun day - We had our kids go to a children's etiquette tea party there once. They were able to dress up and they LOVED it!
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