Decadance, Indulgence, Fun, Pampering & Low Tea v’s High Tea

Want Smart Design, Want Substance, Want Real Size, Want Indvidualistic Luxury, Want to be a Participant, Want Simplicity and want Value. Then look no further Harlette has the answer, Harlette Platinum Lingerie, it has an innovation patent, its limited edition, and cant be found in a store (yet).

Order your diamond and platinum Luxury Objet D’art directly from Harlette by applying at http://www.harletteplatinumlingerie.com

 Special Previews of the Harlette Platinum Lingerie, that has been held under lock and key until now will be shown to exclusively at the Harlette High Tea where Harlette wants you to revel in the Rendezvous Renaissance.

Harlette will be holding a Harlette High Tea in London, Oslo, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Jeddah and Los Angeles to showcase the new Harlette Luxury Lingerie range please contact harlette@harlette.com to rsvp.

P.S Harlette want to point out that the High Tea we indulge in these days was known in Victorian times as Low Tea.

Low tea (Modern day High Tea) etiquette is steeped in controversy. Debates roar over what to do with your pinkies,  whether you should pour milk or tea into your teacup first and much, much, more. I say if these things are in your mind best to be in a place that serves you, leaves less to think about.

However, I will cover the main points here.

First, if you are invited to low tea/(modern day hightea) by mail (which you should be), then RSVP as soon as possible. Do so with a mailed (not emailed), handwritten card, preferably on your personalized stationery. After the tea, handwrite a thank-you note (once again, on your stationery) and mail it immediately.

Always remember the rules that I know your mother told you: don’t chew with your mouth open or speak while you have food in your mouth, take small bites, don’t play with/mash/mix your food, don’t blow on hot foods, don’t slurp or chew loudly, don’t put your elbows on the table unless all the dishes have been cleared, keep your napkin in your lap, never cup up more than a few bites at a time, don’t reach across the table, sit up straight, cover your mouth and say “excuse me” when you wish to leave the table.

There are a few major rules you may not know. It’s OK to use your hands for many low tea foods. If a utensil isn’t provided, assume that it’s a finger food. The purpose of finger foods is to allow guests to take small bites and enjoy conversation over the course of the tea.

Keep that in mind, take small bites, and focus your energies on the conversation rather than the food. When adding clotted cream and jam to your scones, first add the jam, and then add the dairy. Scones, like the rest of the meal, should be eaten in small bites. If you have a spill that gets on someone else, hand them a napkin (some call it a “serviette” in England, but the more upper-class name is “napkin”) and offer to pay for the garment’s cleaning.

If you spill something on yourself, calmly use your napkin to clean what you can, then ask for sparkling water to clean the rest. Never dip your napkin into your water glass. If you have something stuck in your teeth, quietly excuse yourself to remove it in the restroom.

As for the pinkies and milk/tea first debates: Many “experts” will tell you that you should stick your pinkie out. This is incorrect. The pinkie should be gently arched to keep it from getting burnt by the body of the teacup, but it should not point anywhere. The milk/tea first debate came from an early style of European teaware that would crack from quick temperature fluctuation. Today, it’s irrelevant. However, it is generally considered to be classier (and more sensible) to add the milk last in England today.

 

If you’re American drinking tea in England especially the Ritz as seen below, there are a few extra rules to know. Please know that dress is usually formal (any skirt above the calf is too short) and the topics of politics and business should be avoided, as should anything very personal.

If you’re using utensils, keep your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right hand at all times. When you are done eating, place all your utensils (including teaspoons, dessert spoons, etc.) on your plate or saucer, with the knife and fork at the 4:20 position (knife oh-so-slightly counter-clockwise from the fork). Fold the napkin and place it to the left of your plate when you are leaving the table, but not before then. (If your host/hostess does this, it signals the end of the tea.)

Do not push the plate away from you when you are done eating. If you are eating out, you should be very polite to your servers. Always say “excuse me,” or wave (not snap) to get their attention and thank them when they bring you food. A service fee of 10% is customary, unless it is built into the cost of the meal. (If it’s built in, the bill will say “Service Included.”)

So far, we’ve covered general behavior and food etiquette. Let’s move on to tea. It is considered rude to sip tea (or coffee, for that matter) from a spoon. Never dunk biscuits (cookies) in your tea. Swallow your food before you sip your tea. Use a fork or other tool (not your fingers) to add lemon to your tea.

Do not add milk and lemon together, or the milk may curdle. Do not stir your tea vigorously or make a clinking sound with your spoon. Instead, gently move the teaspoon from the six o’clock position toward the twelve o’clock position. If your teacup has no handles, place your thumb at the six o’clock position and your fingers at the twelve o’clock position. If it has a handle, hold the handle with your fingertips, but do not put your fingers through the handle.

Finally, etiquette is SUPPOSED to be about the comfort and happiness of everyone involved, and not about making anyone uncomfortable. So please play graciously