E-TEA-QUETTE

Tea is such a universal thing, you can't really go wrong with it. When was the last time you went to someone's house and weren't offered a cup of tea? In this country we don't have as many rules and regulations when it comes to drinking tea – it's a fairly straightforward, no-nonsense process – but around the world there is etiquette one must follow lest one is inducted into the tea drinking hall of shame. 

When was the last time you went to someone's house and weren't offered a cup of tea? Tea is such a universal thing, you can't really go wrong with it. In this country we don't have as many rules and regulations when it comes to drinking tea – it's a fairly straightforward, no-nonsense process – but around the world there is etiquette one must follow lest one is inducted into the tea drinking hall of shame.

The one faux pas people make all the time is sticking their pinkie finger out while drinking tea. This is a common misconception that came about as the result of an old custom whereby the elite ate and drank using three fingers, while commoners used all five. Thus, in an attempt to appear cultured, people began raising their pinkie fingers. Ironically enough, doing that nowadays will have the opposite effect.

There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of how to eat scones properly. Some say it is fine to slice them in half horizontally, and spread each half with cream and jam – but never put the halves back together! Others claim that cutting into scones ruins the texture, and that instead of using a knife, one should break off pieces and spread cream and jam onto them individually. 

Another important thing to remember is to stir your tea silently, swirling your spoon in the shape of a figure 8. The teaspoon should rest behind the cup, never in the cup itself or on the side. Milk should always be added after the tea is poured, never before. If you'd rather have lemon with your tea, never combine with milk, and always add the lemon after adding sugar to allow the sugar to dissolve properly. 

The way you hold your cup is crucial. Never grip with both hands, rather, put your index finger through the handle with your thumb resting on top. If you opted for using tea bags instead of loose-leaf tea, make sure you don't bounce the tea bag up and down to speed up the steeping process. Allow it to brew naturally.

Also – never swirl your tea. It might be tempting once you are nearly finished and there's only a bit of tea left at the bottom of your cup, but imagine how embarrassing it would be if you spilled some all over your fancy tablecloth, in front of all your guests!

By Zahrah Haider
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Isha and Shariful Raj
Wardrobe: Cats Eye (Raj) and Anokhi (Isha)
Location: A restoran