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2. Is there such a thing as the proper placement of the teapot on the table?
Yes there is. The spout of the teapot and the tea kettle faces the hostess or pourer. Do be watchful of your teapot. If you know that it is a dripping teapot, have a drip-catcher handy, this way, no messes are made.
3. Would it be proper etiquette to lift my teacup and saucer when taking a sip of tea? Or just the teacup?
If you are seated at a table, the proper manner to drink tea is to raise the teacup only. After having taken a sip, place the teacup back in it's saucer. But if you are at a buffet tea, you should hold the tea saucer on your lap with your left hand and hold the tea cup in your right hand. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer and hold on your lap. In either event, never wave or hold your tea cup in the air. What the proper etiquette is really depends on what kind of tea you are taking.
4. When should I wear gloves at a tea party? Is there a point in time when it would be rude for me to keep my gloves on?
The protocols for wearing gloves are the same, whether one is attending an afternoon tea or any other event where foods and beverages are served. While gloves are often highly designed with decorations and adornments, their sole purpose is to cover and protect ones hands from the elements.
It is not proper etiquette to dine with your gloves on. You are to remove your gloves before sitting down to dine. The exception is for long, formal gloves with buttons at the wrist. It is acceptable to unbutton, remove ones fingers and hands and fold back, to the wrist, the lower portion of the glove without removing the upper portion from your arm. If the gloves have no wrist buttons, the gloves should be removed in their entirety before dining.
5. Should my pinky be up in the air? Should I keep it down? And what is this pinky rumor/custom all about?
Originally, all porcelain teacups were made in China, starting around 620 A.D. These small cups had no handles. In order for one not to spill the hot liquid onto oneself, the proper way to hold the vessel was to place one’s thumb at the six o'clock position and one’s index and middle fingers at the twelve o'clock position, while gently raising one’s pinkie up for balance.
In Europe, in 1710, a teacup with a handled was introduced. But the pinkie up tradition continued. By placing one’s fingers to the front and back of the handle with one’s pinkie up again allows balance.
6. When stirring your tea, don't make noises by clinking the sides of the cup while stirring (Making lots of noise while stirring your tea is definitely not proper etiquette). Gently swish the tea back and forth being careful not to touch the sides of your cup if possible.
7. Never leave your spoon in the cup and be sure not to sip your tea from the spoon either.
8. After stirring, place your spoon quietly on the saucer, behind the cup, on the right hand side under the handle.
9. Do not use your tea to wash down food. Sip, don’t slurp, your tea and swallow before eating. (That would be really bad etiquette and you'd get black looks from quite a few people.)
10. Milk is served with tea, not cream. Cream is too heavy and will mask the taste of the tea.
11. Lemon slices vs. lemon wedges.
A lemon slice can float in the tea cup. Traditionally, the lemon slice would also contain a clove in the center of the lemon slice. The floating lemon slice continues to enhance the flavor of the tea. If one is serving a wedge of lemon, traditionally the wedge is covered in gauze or tied in a cheesecloth. This is to avoid the seeds and juice from squirting when squeezed. If one does not have a lemon press or squeezer, it is proper etiquette to use your fingers to gently squeeze the juice of the wedge into your tea cup and then place the used wedge on either the side of your tea saucer or any service plate provided on the table.
12. Never add lemon with milk since the lemon's citric acid will cause the proteins in the milk to curdle. (yuk!)
13. Is there a right way to eat a scone?
Contrary to the popular belief, it is improper to slice a scone (horizontally to be slathered in jam and cream). Although some establishments will serve a sliced scone pre-prepared with jam and cream, this is merely a way to save time (It may now be 'acceptable' but it will never be correct). A hostess should instruct and insist that the scones, for large functions or buffets, be made into bite size. The correct manner in which one eats a scone is the same manner in which one eats a dinner roll. Simply break off a bite-size piece, place it on your plate, and then apply, with your bread and butter knife, the jam and cream. A fork is not used to eat a scone. Please, no dipping!
14. No Smoking. The smoke will be absorbed into the tea and ruin the flavor. (It is bad etiquette also because people around you may not be used to smoke, and you wouldn't want to start making people cough.)
