To think Afternoon Tea is over hyped?

[brasty]

I can enjoy an Afternoon Tea, but I think it is over hyped. It is after all sandwiches, cakes and scones.These can taste lovely, but is boring compared to a beautifully made meal.
AIBU?

[Babyroobs]

I had a disappointing one a few weeks ago - crumbled macaroons, boring sandwiches ( plain ham and plain cheese!), and they ran out of clotted cream !.

[BackforGood]

I think it's the "taking time out of busy life to sit, relax and chat with friends" bit that makes it so nice.
I do like an nice afternoon tea though, so I'm going to have to say YABU.

[TinselTwins]

yeah…. it's nice if you have good company, it's a different dynamic to sitting for a formal meal, so that's nice.

I don't really like even good afternoon teas themselves though - make you feel full/bloated yet stil hungry somehow… but I do enjoy the ritual...

[MrsJayy]

My friend said the other week i have booked afternoo n tea my heart sank never ever appealed but it was lovely teeny sandwiches little cakes you could eat and chat drink tea .with lunch/dinner you are concentrating on the food so it doesnt go cold I am a convert. Yanbu if you dont like it though

[Notmyrealname85]

I've been to some depressing and stingey ones :( you either want good quantity and ability to sit for ages with friends without being rushed by management... Or fancy :) Once went to a place in London called Sketch and it was amazing! And you got free refills on everything :)

[PigletJohn]

no

perhaps you get so many you just don't appreciate it any more.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

It is the perfect meal to eat alone, while reading a book.

[nocoolnamesleft]

A decent afternoon tea is lovely.

[MaryMorpho]

It can be overpriced and depressing, but if it's really nice fancy cake and sandwiches, I love it. Hardly ever do it, but on a special occasion or on a British holiday it can be fab.

Friends had it at their wedding, after the ceremony, to fill that endless gap before the meal when they're having photos done. It was amazing! I have also had an afternoon tea of the gods at an elderly relative's funeral, and everyone was able to really relax and chat. It can be a very comforting thing.

[avamiah]

PigletJohn,
Absolutely,I couldn't agree more.
I live in London and for a Easter Treat I have promised to take my daughter for a traditional afternoon tea at the Ritz .
I have been many years ago and it was a absolutely amazing experience.
Totally British and the best cup of earl grey tea I have ever had and the most perfect egg mayonnaise tiny finger sandwich you could imagine.
Fabulous.

[GoodnightSeattle]

Nope afternoon tea is the absolute business.

Everything is cakey and so tiny I feel like a G I A N T

[Pinkheart5915]

I love afternoon tea, but you have to find a good place. Nothing beats fresh white bread sandwiches, scones and cakes with champagne!

[avamiah]

Pinkheart5915,
RITZ, London, Piccadilly.

[Pinkheart5915]

avamiah I've been to the Ritz and I love it 😍

[LaPharisienne]

SACRILEGE

[venys]

Have only done it three times. They were pretty fancy ones and were the business. I wouldn't go if it was bog standard sarnies and scones.

[SparkleTwinkleGoldGlitter]

Afternoon tea is the best! Once you find a place that goes all out

[highinthesky]

I love the whole afternoon tea experience. However I don't like paying silly prices for it and do a much better job myself at home with added bubbles

[avamiah]

Pinkheart5915,
Yes,it's the Best, but i believe the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane is trying for the No 1 spot in London.

[AlmostAJillSandwich]

Went once a few months back, hated it!
They literally only served tea, coffee or tap water, none of which i like.
The sandwiches were tuna mayo (hate tuna) Ham (hate ham) grated raw carrot (hate raw carrot!) and this weird parma ham type stuff with cheese.
I picked the weird hammy type stuff off 2 tiny cheese triangle sandwiches, which had dry bread (half white half brown, don't like brown bread either) and way too much butter, and sat there so awkwardly.
The cake selection was that party platter type stuff from iceland, i had one mini (we're talking not even little finger sized) eclair and it tasted like it had been frozen thawed. Not a fan of scones with fruit, macarons, or vanilla slices as i just don't like cream or coconut.

The company of who i was with wasn't even good, an aunt who hadn't bothered with me in 6 1/2 years since my mums death, sister who thankfully did enjoy the food, and cousins pregnant daughter, the only person i actually went out to see. Aunt talked about just herself, never asked how i was, then called herself a brilliant listener on the way home!

Went NC with her afterwards and the entire of my mums family took her side, not the fault of the afternoon tea of course, but not helped my view of it.

[TinselTwins]

Oh dear Almost, do you mind that I laughed a little at your description? (especially the "good listener part")

[GoodnightSeattle]

Jill any reason you went to afternoon tea despite not liking tea, common sandwich fillings or scones?

[MaryMorpho]

not the fault of the afternoon tea of course sorry but :o in your description it did sound like the tea contributed! Only on MN could a dire afternoon tea end up with going NC with a relative.

(I have gone NC with rellies myself so not having a go at you, but it was a funny description)

[avamiah]

Almost,
Haha,
Try dim sum next time.

[ipkin]

I prefer this to a meal if the sandwiches and cakes and light and dainty. I personally don't like scones with afternoon tea, and those seem to be main offering in many places offering this nowadays.

I believe you can do a better job at home. I've been to two vintage-type places for afternoon tea recently, and whilst nice it was nothing out of the ordinary.