Afternoon tea is a rip off largely aimed at ripping women off

Had a cream tea and Claridges and at The Ritz in the past for special occasions - the cakes (petit fours) were incredible in taste and presentation, the scones and clotted cream were melt in the mouth, the setting and the soloist (pianist at Claridge’s and cellist at The Ritz) were magical. Both times it was a lovely, lush experience with family and a baby (1st birthday). Worth every penny. MiL was in 7th Heaven.

‘Cream teas’ in cafés or local hotels? Total rip off for mass produced rubbish scones and a department store vibe. Bloody awful.

Sometimes we go for afternoon tea on a Sunday cos I can’t be arsed doing a roast, a big fry up for breakfast after a lie in, then afternoon tea later on. We pay about £15 pp.

Afternoon tea is usually given as a gift though? So your spending fifty quid to send someone else for expensive tea and cake

Someone bought it for me once I'm gluten intolerant and caffeine sensitive they did not provide "alternatives" I tried to return it to the gift giver who thought it would be fantastic if I just TRIED IT I refused to make myself ill she went on Facebook calling me fuvking rude and ungrateful because of this no-one would take the damm voucher off my hands im not sure what I did with it in the end but I didn't use it

Bonus was they never bought my ungrateful arse a gift again

When I worked somewhere that offered afternoon tea, the food prep that went it to it was actually quite significant. Making small portions of a variety of things is much more difficult and costly than one big cake.

Many, many things in this world are feminist issues. Afternoon tea is not one of them.

Also I bloody love afternoon tea, but it's so rare to find somewhere that will do a vegan one!

really really depends on where you go.

most decent afternoon teas come with unlimited refills of all food and drinks

Of you don't like it, dont go! Have you nothing better to occupy your mind ...

The Plaza, New York- on holiday, getting married that afternoon- got a bit carried away! Just kept repeating to myself it was a one off.

I had afternoon tea at a very posh hotel in Bath not too long ago and it was awful. The sandwiches were stale and I suspect they had been made the day before. The cream that came with the scones was disgusting, it tasted like custard. And the waiting staff looked most put out when we asked for an extra side table because there wasn’t enough room on the table we were sat at for everything to go on. We’d been several times over the years and prior to this it had been fine but their standards have gone downhill and we won’t be returning.

I like a really good tuna sandwich and a pot of tea . I like it even better if I get to have it with a friend. Not really bothered about afternoon tea. Where I am an afternoon tea is around 20.00. I don't think that's unreasonable

The only place I've ever paid more than £50 for afternoon tea is at the Ritz.

I love an afternoon tea, I can afford it so it's not really anyone else's business!

That looks like much better food, but why do they assume men like one thing and women another?

Sorry, @Denou - I know the point you were making! Any handbag threads on here are met with such venom!

Hush your mouth. A designer handbag is not frivolous. They're practical and beautiful and last for many years.

I’ve had so many afternoon teas with my DDs, DM, DSis & friends. Sometimes we do things for the experience … and fuck the cost! We don’t do it often. Once or twice a year, special occasions. And we love it! F&M hands down beats all others IMO.

I really like the mini sandwiches. Could do with double those and fewer cakes. Haven’t had an afternoon tea out for ages though. I did once do one at home for my DM on her birthday though, before we went to the theatre - had to leave too early for dinner. And TBH I’m not bothered about Prosecco.

This.

It’s not the marketing, it’s patriarchy. Things that women like are not worth spending money on. Only men’s activities are valuable enough to be worth paying for.

See: a designer handbag is frivolous and a pointless waste of money. A Savile Row suit is a serious investment piece that will result in man being taken more seriously and probably making more money.

This thread has made me irrationally angry because all I can think about is having afternoon tea. 😁 I only like the ones that offer sandwich refills - don’t be stingy now!

if its such a rip off don't bother going! this isn't some womens rights problem where they are treated this way because of being female. no one has a gun to anyones head forcing them to go to afternoon tea, so bloody dramatic.

then dont go

Well not all women are prepared to pay £100 for a haircut - I'be only been to a hairdresser once in 30 years. And you can hardly compare an afternoon tea to burger and chips! 😂😂

Get some M and S sandwiches and some cake and have it at home, or in the park when warmer. It is a complete rip-off.

I have had afternoon tea at Betty's on a few occasions. I think you only got one afternoon tea.
I got more than that each time. I have always asked for a box to bring cakes home in.

What is?