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by Tokyos on October 27th, 2006

Tokyos

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What is afternoon tea?

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Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

  • by Anonymous on October 27th, 2006

    Anonymous

    A bit of an old-fashioned sterotypical "English" tradition that (apparently) used to happen in upper middle class households until about 1960. Basically serving up tea and cakes with company (stereotypically the local vicar or another important local figure) in the sitting room. Its doubtful whether this tradition ever really took place that often (certainly I know of no-one who's ever had afternoon tea!), but it seems to have found its way into the general perception of British culture that a lot of people have (perhaps in the same way people associate cowboys with Texas)

    It really doesn't happen anymore, if it ever did, and we tend to use the phrase in a rather disparaging way to take the mickey out of people we perceive as posh or old-fashioned.

    Most workplaces will have a mid-afternoon break where workers will have a drink (just as likely coffee as tea) and maybe a biscuit, but we call it "tea break" not "afternoon tea". Some old-fashioned "tea shoppe"s still advertise afternoon tea (although mainly with the aim of appealing to foreigners!)

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  • by American-In-Training on December 4th, 2006

    American-In-Training

    To add to Lady Fuschia's reply.

    This phrase has also mutated to represent a time of the day, (Tea Time) which is roughly between 4.00pm - 5.30pm or so, rather than just the actual consumption of the hot beverage and associated accouterments.

    It is a time of day where some kind of pre-evening meal is consumed, typically by school children (but not exclusively) either just after school ends (3.30pm), on their way home or just after they arrive home during the above time frame (the good kids anyway!).

    You will also find reference to it in the bore or bores "sport" called cricket, where grown and fit men stop for Tea - unbelievable but true.

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  • by munchkin_kids_downunder on December 26th, 2006

    munchkin_kids_downunder

    we use it as a snack between lunch and our evening meal.

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  • by ByzantineAngel on December 26th, 2006

    ByzantineAngel

    Just to add on to what everyone else has said in the north of England the locals often refer to their evening meal as tea (tea time).

    Alot of the English Heritage & National Trust historical sites throughout England, Wales, Ireland & Scotland will serve afternoon tea in the cafe or restaurants onsite. For a more upscale experience of afternoon tea with all the trimmings. In London, the Ritz & Fortnum & Mason to name but a few, all offer afternoon tea for a set price.

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  • by ChrisDG on December 4th, 2006

    ChrisDG

    Lady Fuschia's answer as to the origins of it are very good. When she says it doesn't really happen anymore, it does but in a much evolved way. It doesn't refer to the practise of inviting upstanding members of the community to your house anymore but refers to a type of menu served at a specific time in cetain establishments.

    Many manor houses and halls often have cafes that serve afternoon tea, which is usually ridiculously overpriced but consists of pots of varying flavours of tea and a selection of rich cakes and scones with huge amounts of jam and cream on. There are quite a few around where I live that do this. It's nice to relax and enjoy nice food on a Sunday afternoon. Village halls sometimes also have afternoon teas to raise funds.

    This will make me sound so stuck up here when I'm really not, but bear with me...

    Certain cruise lines, especially those that represent traditional British customs e.g. P&O continue this tradition by having the menu in parts of the ship reflect afternoon tea, with loads of cakes and scones and teas etc.

    So it does still happen but is probably more common in more rural areas such as small villages where large manor houses still exist.

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  • by Anonymous on November 17th, 2010

    Anonymous

    you mean it's something other than tea in the afternoon?

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  • by ChuckExAnon on November 17th, 2010

    ChuckExAnon

    Something that makes the American Liberal Democrats (forgive the redundancy) weep about and slit their wrists over these daze (sic). :-)

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  • by AliGirl on May 18th, 2008

    AliGirl

    When you have a nice cuppa, normally with some biscuits, possibly a crumpet or hot cross bun. Generally my family have it around the late afternoon.

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  • by septembergrrl92 on November 17th, 2010

    septembergrrl92

    did you know that traditionally, it takes exactly seven minutes to make a proper cup of english tea?

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