5 O'CLOCK TEA IN ENGLAND

Soon this pause for tea became a fashionable social event. During the 1880's upper-class and society women would change into long gowns, gloves and hats for their afternoon tea which was usually served in the drawing room between four and five o'clock. It was a chance for ladies and gentlemen (the few males who attended) to exchange gossip, plan future soirees and be introduced to new acquaintances. Guests arrived from a quarter past four until half past five. At the height of the Social Season, the most pressed ladies usually only stayed for a quarter of an hour, as they were on their way to another 'five o'clock tea. Таким образом чаепития стали светскими мероприятиями. Дамы высшего света принимали гостей в гостиной между 4 и 5 часами. Они обменивались сплетнями, планировали вечера и знакомились с новыми людьми. Иногда леди приходили всего на минут, так как им нужно было успеть посетить несколько таких чаепитий.