4:00 pm

I have to say that I find this question and Brandi's answer slightly patronising. To me it just reinforces unfortunate stereotypes about the English and their "oh so quirky" ways. 21st Century England follows very broadly the same working hours and practices as the rest of the Western world. As such it would be very hard to find anyone who is aware of the custom, and even fewer people who actually practice it. It may well be that elderly (and perhaps more cultured) people engage in the practice of afternoon tea, but they would be in the minority. Traditionally British people engaged in something known as "elevenses". Basically this means a late-morning break for tea and biscuits. This, in modern Britain, is something of an anachronism. Many workers still do take a morning and afternoon break, but it is by no means a custom or tradition. The whole concept of "afternoon tea" conjures up images of prissy upper class people sipping Earl Grey out of expensive china and eating delicate cakes and biscuits which is an image so nauseatingly patronising I think I'm going to have to go and lie down! Grandma Roses: I don't know, I think for something to be traditional it has to still be going on and participated in by enough people to keep the tradition alive. I have lived in Britain all my life (28 years) and not heard of this, and certainly never seen or heard of anyone that actually does this. And, like I say, I think it's indicitive of the slightly patronising way that foreigners (from one country in particular, which I won't name!) see the British and their "quirky" ways. The answer is also supposed to be humourous, so don't take it too seriously.

I think sometimes, particlarly with reference to Coronation Street 'afternoon tea' is confused with 'tea' which is what we in the north say to refer to our evening meal. If we're having a cup of tea we will ask 'Do you want a cup of tea?' whereas we say 'What do you feel like having for tea?' when we are planning our evening meal. Afternoon tea isn't common place -maybe if we wanted a daft excuse for a snack or a cake in the afternoon we'd say it, otherwise it doesn't really exist! :)