No Pinkies Allowed! Here is the Ultimate Guide to Afternoon Tea Etiquette

The most quintessentially British activity anyone can do is to settle down to enjoy a spot of afternoon tea. Ideally with a spectacular landscape or riverside view. Hhmm, splendid. 

Over the years, afternoon tea has become something of a relaxed social affair where people come together to enjoy each other’s company, and savour delicious cakes. I mean, if it’s good enough for the royals, it’s good enough for the likes of you and I.  

However, with its royal heritage there are a few things to know when it comes to the appropriate afternoon tea etiquette. After all, no one wants to be the uncultured buffoon in the corner making scone sandwiches (but seriously, if you haven’t done this...do it! They’re great!). So we’ve put together a little guide on some do’s, but mostly don'ts when it comes to your next afternoon tea outing. 

TBF this one is just normal life etiquette. Anyone who puts milk in first is just bonkers. It’s always tea first. Always, okay?!

No one wants to be sitting enjoying a civilised afternoon tea only to have the atmosphere interrupted by the clanging of spoons (we all know at least one person that doesn’t know when to stop 🙉) so the best way to stir in your milk is to move forward and backwards and most importantly, avoid bashing the sides with the spoon.

We know how tempting it may be to reach for those lovely looking scones, especially when they’re fresh out the oven. However, if you’re keeping your tea traditional, it’s always savoury to sweet.

For something so high class you’d be forgiven for thinking that using your fingers was an absolute no go. When in fact, there’s  no “‘scuse fingers” here, just put down the cutlery and get stuck in.

As tempting as it may be to break your scone in half and lather it in cream and then jam (notice how we said cream and then jam? That’s another life lesson! Seriously - if you take anything from this article let that be it, cream before jam! Always!), then stick it all back together again, you’re gonna have to resist -  it’s just not civilised darling!

The only time you ever need to pick up the saucer is if you’re standing up, who knew?! So when you’re sitting comfy sipping on a cup of the good stuff, just leave the saucer where it is. There’s also a common misconception that sticking your pinky out while drinking your tea makes you look more cultured, well, turns out we’ve been doing it wrong all these years. Tuck that pinky finger in. 

In all seriousness though, afternoon tea is really not that serious and is more about enjoying teeny tiny sandwiches and scrumptious cakes with your nearest and dearest in a lovely setting. And if you ask us, it’s just about the most perfect way to spend an afternoon, and if you really want to sip your tea with your pinky out and make scone sandwiches, we won’t judge. 

From the more traditional afternoon teas at well known establishments such as Selfridges and Fortnum and Masons to the less traditional Disney inspired afternoon teas and the seriously quirky Mad Hatter afternoon tea at the Sanderson Hotel, no two afternoon teas will ever be the same! Which is great news for you, because you’ll never run out of cool places to indulge yourself. 

Discover the afternoon teas available on Klook, they’re tea-riffic.