#1: DRESS APPROPRIATELY

Most afternoon tea spots have a smart casual dress code. You don’t have to go decked out in party dress but stay away from jeans and sneakers. You should look neat and put together like Queen Elizabeth II.

#2: KEEP PERSONAL ITEMS OFF THE TABLE

Phones, glasses, and any other personal items shouldn’t be on the table. Instead, place them on your chair to your left or right. Purses may go on the floor at your side.
Do not look at your phone during tea! Instead make gentle conversation.

#3: NAPKIN IN YOUR LAP

When you first sit down to tea, take the napkin off the table, fold it in half and lay it on your lap.

#4: HOLD THE TEACUP BY THE HANDLE

The proper way to hold a teacup is to pinch the handle. The pinkie should not extend, but tuck under the handle. Don’t cup your hands around the teacup either. In case of emergency, two fingers of the left hand may balance it back to the saucer.

#5: SAUCER STAYS ON THE TABLE

When you’re sitting at the table, there’s no need to lift up the saucer to drink from your teacup. The only times it would be proper to pick up the saucer is if you’re more than a foot or so away from it, as in the case you were standing. Then the saucer would be held on your left hand and the cup held on the right. Or when passing your cup to the person serving the tea, pass the cup with its saucer.

#6: STIR UP AND DOWN, NOT IN CIRCLES

Move your teaspoon up and down (North & South), gently folding in the sugar or milk. Making noise with the teaspoon is frowned upon so make sure your spoon doesn’t clang and touch the sides of the teacup. Also, don’t tap your teaspoon on the side of the teacup.

#7: LEMON AND MILK DON'T MIX

If you take lemon with your tea, don't use milk. The acid in lemon will curdle the milk. Choose only one or the other.

#8: HANDLING THE FLATWARE

After you’ve stirred your tea, put your teaspoon on the tea saucer behind the cup. As a general rule, after use, do not place any flatware on the table cloth but on the plate it's being used with. Flatware shouldn’t go in your mouth. The teaspoon is only for stirring milk, honey, sugar or lemon into your tea.

#9: DRINK THE TEA GENTLY

Let the tea cool on its own if it’s too hot, never blow on it. Don’t make loud slurps or swish the tea around your mouth. Take small, quiet sips. Doing everything quietly is a common etiquette rule.

#10: EAT WITH YOUR FINGERS

It’s not often that you get to eat food with your fingers but that’s the proper etiquette for afternoon tea. Don’t be shy about eating everything from tea sandwiches to mini sweets with your hands. Use a tea knife for slathering on clotted cream and jam for scones.

#11: TEA SANDWICHES ARE EATEN FIRST

Afternoon tea comes in three courses — usually all at once on a three-tiered tray. Eat the savories and tea sandwiches first. Scones with clotted cream and jam are eaten next, then finally the sweets. Tea sandwiches should be eaten in 2-3 bites.

#12: BREAK SCONE INTO SMALL PIECES

Use your tea knife to cut or fingers to break a bite-sized piece off the scone. Slather on clotted cream and jam using the tea knife, then eat and repeat. Please don’t make a scone sandwich or dunk it in the tea.

#13: KEEP NEAT

When you want to wipe away something from your face with the napkin, use a dabbing motion. Use your napkin to clean your hands. Don't lick your fingers. Refold and place napkin back into your lap.

#14: COMPLIMENT THE HOST

Be sure to use only polite conversation with all guests. Compliment the host on something about the table setting or food.

#15: EXCUSING YOURSELF AND THE NAPKIN

If you must leave the table early, be sure to excuse yourself before rising. Place the napkin on the left side of the place setting as you go, you don’t want to leave any stains on the seat. Never leave the napkin on your plate.