Tea Time Etiquette from Queenie’s Traditional Tea House

Lots of websites have the rules for Etiquette and are full of DO NOT’S.   At Queenie’s I would rather focus on the DO’S.  Here are a few of our do’s to ensure you have an enjoyable time at Queenie’s Traditional Tea House.

1. DO MAKE A RESERVATION: The very first thing about taking tea at Queenie’s is to make a reservation.  Too often guests arrive at our door without first making a phone call or reservation.  Imagine the embarrassment all round when we can’t accommodate the request for a table for you.

2. DO BE OPEN TO TRYING SOMETHING NEW:  Our trained staff are equipped to make informed suggestions on tea.  Please trust them.  We are not here to tell you what to drink but simply to recommend a brew.

3. DO FOLD YOUR NAPKIN:  Upon completion of a dining experience, fold your napkin with a crease and is best placed to the left side of your place setting.  Are you a folder or a scruncher?

4. DO HOLD YOUR CUP WITH ONE HAND: No ‘pinkies up’ necessary and do hold your cup with one hand.

5. DO ENJOY YOUR TEA: Sip your tea, never slurp. Tea is not used to wash down food. If you usually add milk to your tea - Julie recommends you try the first couple of sips black so you can taste the tea in its best form.  Milk does alter the flavour of the brew. 

6. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE: Low Tea vs. High Tea.  Please do not refer to your morning or afternoon tea as a high tea.  Low tea is more of a morning or afternoon tea consisting of petite cakes, biscuits and slices, dainty ribbon or tea sandwiches. Low tea was taken at the ‘low’ or coffee table.  It is a lighter alternative to a high tea. Remember, traditionally a high tea is served in the late afternoon or early evening taking the place of dinner and served at a ‘high’ or kitchen table.  The foods are heartier and consist of salads, one or two hot items, cold meats, tarts and fruit.  Never sandwiches.  Queenie’s upholds this tradition and recognises the difference on their menu.

7. DO ENJOY YOUR SCONES:  It is deemed (by those who know) improper to slice a scone then slather it in jam and cream.  The correct way in which one eats a scone is the same manner in which one eats a dinner roll.  Simply break off a bite size only piece (or break it in half), place it on your plate and then apply, with your small knife, the jam and cream.  A fork is not used to eat a scone and please no dipping.

8. DO RESPECT OTHERS:  They’re paying too! When dining out be mindful of others.  Turn off your mobile phone or set to 'silent'.  Also be aware of the volume of your conversation and laughter when in public.   If you are taking a very young child or children into an adult environment be aware that they will soon tire of sitting still and quiet for any more than 5 minutes.  It will be appreciated if you make alternative arrangements for your child, so you (and those round you) can better enjoy the experience.

Queenie’s was created by Julie Clifford over 6 years ago when she found the need for a ‘nice place to go with friends’ where you could get a good pot of tea along with delicious home cooked ‘real’ food. (See 'About Us')  Queenie’s offers over 130 different blends of tea (and yes we serve coffee too). Menu starts at $5.  As long as you exercise the social graces of consideration of others, then I see no reason why anyone could not enjoy the unique tea drinking experience Queenie’s offers.

Bring back an elegant pastime of taking tea with your friends.   Queenie’s is the ideal place to host your own tea party. Here a Mother and 2 daughters celebrate Mother's Day in our cosy environment. Phone our Nundah store today to reserve a table for your own tea party. It's always tea time at Queenie's.