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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

759 replies

Coddy · 07/04/2024 16:16

Somebody suggested this to me and I’ve never thought of it that way.

You don’t get very men going for afternoon tea do you? The Mark up on afternoon tea is absolutely enormous aside from staffing and cost of the building and stuff- it must be money for old rope for the businesses concerned. Specially the ones that charge over 50 quid ahead.

Are we being conned by the whole afternoon tea debacle?

(yes cake is nice I get that)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Gowlett · 07/04/2024 18:50

Has to be at a nice hotel. Otherwise, Afternoon Tea is shite.
Men spend just as much on round for everyone at the bar…

EmpressOfTheThread · 07/04/2024 18:52

Coddy · 07/04/2024 18:50

Foreigners serving tea?

fans self with damask napkin
Foreigners serving tea should immediately mean you get 20% off

Original poster
Coddy · 07/04/2024 18:53

Surely , you didn’t mean it like that

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 07/04/2024 18:54

Dh complains that any food event is either all day breakfast/brunch or curry. he doesn't like either. He'd rather have afternoon tea.

I don't drink tea (or coffee) nor do I generally like sandwiches. I'll go for the bacon and eggs, or curry.

Gowlett · 07/04/2024 18:54

The foreigners serving tea at my fave hotel are lovely!

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 07/04/2024 18:54

Someone needs to do a bottomless builders' breakfast , all fry up components, bacon sandwiches galore thick buttered bread, pots of tea strong enough to stain your fence with, and I don't mean luke warm buffet abominations

MississippiAF · 07/04/2024 18:55

OliveRL · 07/04/2024 18:49

We are being massively conned now. I remember my graduation day in 1996 and my dad taking me to the Waldorf, it was £14 pp and it was amazing. Faultless. Wanting to repeat the experience, I took my dc to Rosewood as it was close to work. It was awful - foreigners posing as game-keepers in game-keeper's outfits (!!!!) in Holborn, greeting guests. Foreigners serving tea, and dried out cucumber sandwiches. And fifty quid per head.

FOREIGNERS SERVING TEA!! Call the authorities!

ChurchOfSeitan · 07/04/2024 18:57

I really want an afternoon tea now.

EmpressOfTheThread · 07/04/2024 18:58

I still haven't found out where that poster can get a pub meal for 4 for £28?

Epidote · 07/04/2024 18:59

ChurchOfSeitan · 07/04/2024 18:57

I really want an afternoon tea now.

Mee too,

Kerryoh · 07/04/2024 18:59

Where is this fabulous place where afternoon tea is poured by foreigners dressed as game-keepers? It's giving me Lady Chatterley meets Argentinian Mellors vibes.

Original poster
Coddy · 07/04/2024 18:59

It’s now 50 50 🤔😗

OP posts:
MississippiAF · 07/04/2024 19:00

Kerryoh · 07/04/2024 18:59

Where is this fabulous place where afternoon tea is poured by foreigners dressed as game-keepers? It's giving me Lady Chatterley meets Argentinian Mellors vibes.

I was thinking more, Jumanji

SevenSeasOfRhye · 07/04/2024 19:00

SwedishEdith · 07/04/2024 16:25

It's usually a present for someone when they don't need stuff anymore. My gripe with afternoon tea is the ratio of savoury and sweet is wrong. I don't want to eat loads of cakes after a scone. More sandwiches and one sweet thing would be better for me.

Yes - I had one as a gift and went with my husband. We enjoyed it - not the kind of thing to which we'd usually treat ourselves, so it was a novelty.

SpicyMoth · 07/04/2024 19:00

I genuinely don't know anybody at all who ever goes for afternoon tea. I'm surprised it's still a thing!

ArthnoldManacatsaman · 07/04/2024 19:00

Purplebunnie · 07/04/2024 16:36

Had afternoon tea on Friday. DH, DD and myself. Every table was mixed with both male and female. Paid £22.50pp. Had to bring the brownie and Victoria sponge home with us as we were too full - so recommend Bluebell Tea Rooms at Battle right next to the Abbey. Can also recommend the Fourteas in Stratford upon Avon which is themed around WWII and Amberley Castle. No idea ho much Amberley is as it was a birthday present but a stunning venue - best pot of camomile tea I've ever had - had to have it topped up it was soooo good

Edited

Have you been recently to the Fourteas? I used to love it for both afternoon tea and full breakfast, but the last time we went it was under new ownership (2019) and we were quite underwhelmed by the changes. We live 250 miles away so I’ve not been in the area since but even if I was, I wouldn’t be keen to go back sadly

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 07/04/2024 19:01

Testina · 07/04/2024 16:18

Yeah it’s really unfair. Everyone knows that women’s brains can’t do maths so we can’t work out what’s value for money for us as individuals.

Still, the menz have been convinced they can’t socialise without golf, and that’s more expensive so… maybe that’s fair.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

EmpressOfTheThread · 07/04/2024 19:02

Kerryoh · 07/04/2024 18:59

Where is this fabulous place where afternoon tea is poured by foreigners dressed as game-keepers? It's giving me Lady Chatterley meets Argentinian Mellors vibes.

I definitely want to go

FangsForTheMemory · 07/04/2024 19:02

I know several men who love afternoon tea. I also love it. I'm happy to pay £80 to sit in the Palm Court at the Ritz and listen to their pianist and be waited on by people who know their job, wearing my best frock and in the company of other people who are also dressed for the occasion.

You know, if you think it's overpriced, nobody is forcing you to go.

Babyroobs · 07/04/2024 19:03

SpicyMoth · 07/04/2024 19:00

I genuinely don't know anybody at all who ever goes for afternoon tea. I'm surprised it's still a thing!

I went to one at Christmas, am going to one later this month at a stately home ( christmas gift from ds) and a Bridgerton themed one in July with the girls ! I do sadly need to ditch the habit though and concentrate on my weight loss.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/04/2024 19:05

Confused Of course it's not aimed at ripping women off. You choose to pay for it. Or not. I love afternoon tea. I've never gone for afternoon tea in a women-only group. Nor have I looked around the room at the other afternoon tea enjoyers and seen only women.

MsRosley · 07/04/2024 19:06

Yeah, to be fair my DH would probably enjoy an afternoon tea much more than me because he can eat twice his weight in one sitting, whereas I'm more half a scone and I'm done. Plus I hate sandwiches.

Tiredalwaystired · 07/04/2024 19:06

Booking a private box for a football match is also expensive. And you’re basically paying for a room with a window. But those silly (often) men are being manipulated into doing that for a special occasion! What fools they are!

OP, high tea is considered to be an experience Same as a box at the football. Neither one of those or both or just one of those might appeal to you. This is an utterly ridiculous thing to get exasperated about. Fun fact - people enjoy different things and are prepared to pay for them as they enjoy them. The value is in the time spent with those you care about doing something out of the ordinary.

MeMyselfAndMyEye · 07/04/2024 19:07

Afternoon tea is fab when done well. By that I mean homemade cakes, fresh scones, ample cream, and plentiful fresh nicely filled sandwiches.

Also, regular tea top ups.

And women spending time together away from kids and families.

When done well, it is great.

Fleetheart · 07/04/2024 19:08

You evidently haven’t been to Luton Hoo; the sandwiches and cakes are something else. Worth every penny!