| Anyone who has seen the popular television series, | | | | type, a lady stirs her tea with a slow, sweeping |
| Ladette to Lady Australia, knows how to recognise | | | | motion that produces almost no sound. Basic tea |
| the habits of a ladette. Generally, a woman who is | | | | etiquette has been breached if the conversations of |
| known as a ladette shows a lack of refinement in | | | | other guests are disturbed by the sound of |
| regards to her behaviour in public. For any woman | | | | someone's spoon sharply clanging against the insides |
| concerned about her reputation, an invitation to a tea | | | | of her teacup. |
| party is a wonderful opportunity to show everyone | | | | 6. After using a spoon to stir her tea a lady places it |
| that she is most certainly a lady and not a ladette. | | | | on her saucer. She never tries to drink the tea while |
| There are some tips on tea etiquette that may be | | | | the spoon is still in the cup. |
| helpful to anyone on their way to a pleasant | | | | 7. If a lady drops her spoon at a tea party, she |
| afternoon tea party. | | | | should politely pick it up and place it aside to return |
| Ten Tea Etiquette Tips | | | | to her host. |
| 1. A lady greets the host of a tea party with a polite | | | | 8. A lady holds her teacup only when she is sipping |
| handshake and sincerely expresses her gratitude at | | | | her tea. She doesn't wave it in the air while she is |
| being included in the gathering. | | | | having a conversation with others. |
| 2. At a small party, it's a basic rule of tea etiquette | | | | 9. A lady knows that when she is speaking to |
| for a lady to wait until everyone else has been | | | | another guest at a tea party that she should focus |
| served before sipping her tea. | | | | on that individual. She should not allow herself to |
| 3. If there are tiny sandwiches or scones served at a | | | | become distracted by another guest, the instant tea, |
| tea party, a lady doesn't dig voraciously into the | | | | or even the scrumptious refreshments. |
| contents of the refreshment table. Instead, she | | | | 10. Before a lady leaves a tea party, she makes sure |
| politely chooses one sandwich and holds it daintily | | | | to thank her host for a wonderful afternoon. A |
| with her fingertips, nibbling at it from time to time. | | | | gracious guest makes an indelible impression on her |
| 4. A lady lays her cloth napkin across her lap while | | | | host by sending a handwritten thank you note a |
| sitting with a gathering of guests at a tea party. She | | | | week after the gathering. |
| refrains from crumpling it in her hands or balling it up | | | | These are the top 10 tips on how a lady should |
| in her lap. | | | | behave during a tea party. |
| 5. Whether it is Australian breakfast tea or another | | | | |