Saturday, January 24, 2009

Tea With Miss Janice, Post #12

It's the little things that you do at the dining table that reveal so much about your manners.
~Miss Janice

Handling the iced tea glass, the teacup, the teaspoon, the tea strainer, the teabag, the sugar tongs, and the sweetener packets...What do you put in the teacup first--the tea or the milk? When is the lemon slice added? What about the sugar cubes? Remember, Afternoon Tea is a ritual, complete with a set of etiquette rules.

Handling the Iced Tea Glass
If iced tea is served, there is proper etiquette to observe. Properly served, iced tea is served in a tall goblet with a doily and a saucer (or a bread plate) and an iced teaspoon. The iced teaspoon would be placed on the outer right of the place setting at an angle. If the spoon is used to stir your tea after adding sugar, the teaspoon is either placed on an iced teaspoon rest provided or placed on the saucer. If there is no saucer provided, the spoon should remain in the glass at all times. Oh yes! It is actually quite easy to drink your tea and hold the teaspoon in the glass. Press your index finger against the iced teaspoon, while holding the goblet, and sip your tea! If you practice this, those around you will surely think you are the most proper person ever! Why?...because you handle it with such grace. Remember that once used, a utensil is NEVER placed back on the table.

Handling the Teacup
When handling the teacup, place the index finger through the handle, with the thumb placed on the top of the handle to support the grip, and the second finger below the handle for added security. The next two fingers naturally follow the curve of the other fingers. It is considered an affection to raise the pinkie finger while sipping your tea. No matter how many cute photos you see on the internet of little girls sipping tea with a raised pinkie...don't commit this tea etiquette faux pas--you'll end up looking like a mafia character!

Remember that if you need to hold the saucer, rest the saucer comfortably on your open left hand and steady the saucer with your thumb resting on the rim. Don't forget to look into the teacup when sipping your tea...not around the room!

Handling the Teaspoon
If hot tea is served, remember to softly fold the liquid when adding sugar or milk and then place the teaspoon on the saucer behind the handle. Here's a tip from Miss Janice: When displaying teacups, always place the handle at 4 o'clock and the place the teaspoon behind the handle. I worked in the China Department at Dillard's Department Store and walked around all day long obsessively positioning the handles of every teacup and mug to the 4 o'clock position! Y'all, these things will be noticed!

Handling the Tea Strainer
When loose tea is placed directly into the teapot to steep, you will need to use a tea strainer as you pour the tea into a teacup. Depending on the type of strainer, you will place it over the teacup or set it on the teacup and pour the tea through it.

Handling the Teabag
If you are served hot water and a teabag, allow the teabag to steep in the water for approximately five minutes (or the strength you prefer). Do not dunk the teabag or wrap the string around your teaspoon to drain it. Place the used teabag and wrappers on a separate saucer.

Handling the Sugar Tongs
If sugar tongs are used for cubed sugar, remember that the tongs should never touch your tea and are placed by the sugar bowl or draped over the handle of the sugar bowl.

Handling the Sweetener Packet
Use the packets provided and tuck the empty packet discreetly under the edge of the saucer.

What Goes in the Teacup First?
The tea is always poured in first, then add the sugar or honey, a lemon slice, and milk (not cream). You shouldn't use milk and lemon together because the acid from the lemon will curdle the milk.

Tea and dining faux pas are up next! You don't want to miss these...people do talk y'all!

Remember, manners really do matter!

19 comments:

Jewel Sauls said...

More great info! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us!!!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Miss Janice! I am floored! I had no idea that it is polite to leave the teaspoon in the glass while drinking it! Is that what you said for sure? But that's only if there's no saucer, correct? Wow! Thanks for sharing...Debbie

Anonymous said...

Oh, Miss Janice, you are the most knowing one about teas! Your header is absolutely gorgeous and I know I would have loved to have been there. Hope your weekend is glorious!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

I am really going to know everything when I have my first tea!

I hope my sweet husband gets me some tea goodies for my birthday this year!

Thanks for sharing

Lori said...

Thank you for all of the great information. I am learning so much from you. I can't wait for the next one.

Unknown said...

Hi Miss Janice,
Does anybody actually serve iced tea correctly? I don't think I have ever seen it served properly in a restaurant. Have you?

~Liz

Lucy said...

it's these subtleties that make all the difference. Thank you Miss Janice.

QueenBeeSwain said...

I am so happy that you have these fabulous posts! Wanted to let you know that this AM when I was volunteering for Junior League, I put my name-tag on my right chest, per one of your previous posts :) Had a moment for you!

merci beaucoup,

kHm

Nanette said...

Great information. For some reason I alway knew about the 4 o'clock position of the handle and all my teacups are positioned that way. I'm thinking I must have learned that way back in Girl Scouts!
Valerie

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What another interesting post Miss Janice. I had no idea the spoon was to remain in the glass while drinking. Thanks for sharing all this info.. I hope you're having a super w/k. hugs ~lynne~

^..^Corgidogmama said...

First of all I agree, Thankyous should be sent to the Bush's.
They were gracious hosts, and very genteel in the transfer of power to the new family.

There is an entire process of sharing tea, that I suspect most of us didn't realize.
Thanks so much for this genteel tutorial, on how to live graciously.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow, learning so much here...just hope it will stay in my brain so I'll remember it when I next need it. Maybe we need a test! :-) Susan

Tootsie said...

did I tell you I have printed this all out and given each one to my daughter's Brownie leader? There are 12 little "ladies" that could use a few lessons...if you know what I mean!
thanks for the teaching!

Nancy Rosalina said...

Miss Janice, I have always left my iced tea spoon in the glass when we eat out...I don't like to take it out and lay it on the table...so I just leave it in...I didn't know I was being proper...so glad to know it! Blessings, Nancy

Stuart Maughan said...

Miss Janice, some of this is quit intimidating for a man. Is it proper to say, this is women's worry? Very interesting, I think I'll go out and do some mud wrestling. Sorry, I really do appreciate fine and proper. Thank you for the information. (PS} I hope you like my posts. They may be a little rough around the edges.

Bo said...

I will be back for your next installment! ;-) Bo

Glenda said...

Like Nancy, I've been doing it right for perhaps the wrong reason. I don't like to possibly need to reuse the spoon and have to wonder how clean it is. If it has remained in my glass, then I know.
Sorry I'm a day late. Life got in the way.

Kara said...

Again another terrific blog. I had to go to my china cabinet and correct all my tea cups and saucers at the 4 o'clock angle....and leaving the iced teaspoon in the glass was astonishing..who knew! I've been doing it for years as well.
Love these posts.
Miss Kara

Lady Katherine said...

I am so use to iced tea being served with the sugar added. When we were traveling, in the Southwestern states, they served only unsweet tea. I have often looked for a dish to place the spoon, I would have never thought it was proper to keep the spoon in the glass. I did this once, and everyone laughed. I guess the laugh is on them. Thanks for a great article.