Afternoon tea anyone?

[Cleita]

I still have tea. It comes from my childhood where tea was served around five in the afternoon. Sometimes it was simply accompanied with jam and toast. At other times it could be a full blown meal of dainty sandwiches, sweets and sometimes even cocktails. It was always social.

You had people over for tea or they had you for tea. Even if you dropped in unannounced or vice versa, you were always welcome because it was the social aspect that counted not the food. You might go to a tea room if away from home and you always met new people. No one was allowed to sit alone. Even if it was only the family, it was the one time of day everyone was expected to be present. It was sometimes the only time of the day you saw and spoke to other members of your family.

It was a time to relax after work, to catch up with family and friends, to share news and gossip and to connect with one another socially. It was the venue that you introduced people new to the area to get them acquainted with everyone. It included children and old people. Even a bedridden abuelita was bundled up in blankets and propped in a comfortable chair with cushions, while her children and grandchildren helped her with her tea.

I miss the inter-generational social gathering, that was mostly absent of alcohol, that didn't require chunks of meat and formal seating or fancy doodads to impress because it could be served humbly in a crockery pot or in a fancy silver service. Although most people make an effort to freshen up and dress in afternoon clothes, the person who was just in from work in their work clothes were no less out of place because of what they wore. In households with servants, it was the one meal where the domestics sat down with the family to talk and share tea.

I wish we had such a custom here. I often thought when I went to bars with co-workers on Friday for TGIF, how much nicer it would have been if the local restaurants served tea or if you could have gathered with your neighbors after work for tea. Because it would have been something easy to do and so sociable.

[Padraig18]

1. Yes, please!

I still enjoy it. :)

[Cleita]

2. Lemon or milk for your tea?

Honey or sugar? Marmalade or jam on your toast. :-)

[Padraig18]

4. Lemon, 2 sugars and jam, please.

Those cucumber sandwiches look good, too. :)

[MoonAndSun]

3. Cleita, I had a wonderful experience at an English Tea House in

Santa Monica last month. We had a wonderful time and the tea was the best I had ever had and the scones and cucumber sandwiches, the smoked salmon sandwiches and all the other food stuff was divine. The scones with real Devonshire cream and raspberry jam was to die for. I wish there was one here where I live, I would go at least once a month.

[Cleita]

7. Was that the Tudor House?

I went there many times when I lived in Santa Monica.

[VOX]

5. Yes, please!

I'm sitting here by cold plate-glass office window, and I have a chill and the near-winter blahs.

A warm cup of tea (with just a spot of milk) and a biscuit or two would warm my spirit immeasureably!

Thanks so much for the offer, Cleita!

:toast: (that's tea, *not* beer)

[Cleita]

6. How about a nice warm brioche to go with it?

[Padraig18]

8. It was always the nicest time of the day.

As you say, it was a social event, a chance to gather and rleax and socialize as a family. Some of my fondest memories of my parents are at tea. :)

[Cleita]

11. Yes, and often it was accompanied by a nice sunset.

[Race4Peace]

9. do our pinkies need to be sticking out?

:) :donut:

[Cleita]

10. Only if it's comfortable for you to drink that way.

:-) Tea is all about relaxing and being laid back. There is some etiquette, but it isn't that important. Tea is about sharing something warm and sweet with friends and family.

[Padraig18]

12. As long as you don't pour it in the saucer and slurp it...

... well get along famously. :hi:

[bleedingheart]

13. I would love to...even though I am late for tea..

I went to a tea house in Arkansas years ago...it was so nice and so relaxing...

[Cleita]

14. Your not too late.

I'm brewing a new pot and there's plenty of sandwiches and biscuits (cookies) left.