by Ginger Philbrick
It has been a lovely tea season in the Northern Neck. There have been several beautifully presented teas for charities, all of them with a different personality, all absolutely picture-worthy and delicious.
As we know from those delightful British shows, a cup of tea—often referred to as a cuppa—is the staple that holds society together. Even a suspected murderer might be offered a cup of tea while being interrogated. The etiquette is very simple: offer the tea, pour the tea, hand the tea to the drinker.
There is also very little that governs what an event termed a Tea must be. However, there is a definite categorization when it comes to what the tea is called—afternoon, or high. It all started with tables, specifically the height of them.
An afternoon tea, here in America, is typically held from 3-5 p.m., but according to Dorothea Johnson, founder of the Protocol School of Washington, D.C., the hours may be “stretched slightly in either direction.”
Sometimes called low tea, it was traditionally served from a low table, or what we still call coffee tables. Guests sat around the table and nibbled at scones, small sandwiches and pastries. Cocktail sized napkins would be in place on the laps of the ladies and sometimes gentlemen, who hoped they could manage a safe grip on their cup and saucer while ferrying the petite éclair from table to plate without it tumbling onto the floor.
Nowadays, afternoon tea is more likely to be offered from the dining room table and guests rarely feel the need to take a Valium before setting out to tea.
The British high tea is what we know as supper or dinner and is served after 5 p.m. from the meal table and with heavier fare. Meat, a starch and vegetables are most often featured on the menu.
And there we have it. The only thing left to say is that scones, sandwiches and pastries are welcome any time of day and there are no official tea police in the Northern Neck. But I must warn you of one faux pax that might subject you to scorn from a tea enthusiast; do not extend your pinkie finger when sipping that delicious liquid!
Ginger Philbrick is the owner of Because You Are Polite LLC. You are invited to email your manners questions to her and she will respond as time and space allow. You may contact her at youarepolite1@gmail.com.
