Quote Originally Posted by piperdbh View Post
Does the custom of afternoon tea (with a few light refreshments) still happen in the UK, or is it a relic of the past? There are some traditions which people continue, and some get left behind, and I'm wondering which category tea-time falls into. Thanks for your replies.
Someone else answered this as a "class" question. Just one of many significant differences between England and Scotland is that the latter is, essentially, an egalitarian society. Some have more leisure time and in the main these are older folk or (I cringe to say) women. Afternoon Tea in the form it has been practiced in Scotland is today pretty much restricted to those two large groups, with teatime for the former moving a bit earlier in the day or merging with Tea a bit later. Tea to us is an early-evening meal and quite different to a 4:00 sugar-fix called Afternoon Tea.

Twenty-five years ago my mother and grandmother still stopped everything at 4 in the afternoon; they met for tea (assam, except on Sunday), something sweet and light conversation. If there were just the two of them, the housekeeper, Nellie, was always with them. Their half-hour together began thus. Mother: "Oh, Nellie the tart (or cake) looks lovely." Nellie: "Thank you Mrs D." Grandmother: "Would you like me to pour, dear?" Mother: "Yes, please, Mother, and would you serve the tart, Nellie?" Nellie: "Yes, Mrs D. Would you care for your usual portion?" Mother: "Yes, thank you, Nellie. And you, Mother?" Grandmother: "Yes, dear, but Nellie not quite as much cream as usual, please. And would you join us?" Nellie: "Thank you mum, but I'll just have a spot of tea, please."

That bit of routine formality over and done with, the three of them would discuss the events of the day (usually with lots of laughter), plan a bit for tomorrow, and finalise arrange for dinner (almost always served at 8:00).

On Saturday and Sunday, of course, all was turned upside down because dinner was served at 1:00, tea was much more formal at 4 (there were often guests) and supper was as late as 9 or beyond.

In 2010: when I am in BC we serve Afternoon Tea at 4 every day we have house guests. If we don't we give it a pass as a get-together thing and just pour from the pot (always steeped by 4) and go back to tasks in hand. When I am in Scotland and am invited to Afternoon Tea I attend, of course, and I am then obliged to reciprocate -- and do. On days when I must do neither, I have a cup of tea about 3 (with a biscuit, perhaps) and look forward to half six when the day has come to an end and the Glenmorangie and a splash are on the sideboard. Dinner at 8.

On Sunday? Upside down rules.

Rex