If you don't know this, you'll be embarrassed! A list of things you shouldn't do when serving tea and frequently asked questions
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Introduction
"What should I be careful of when serving tea?" "Are there any actions that are considered rude?" Many people probably have simple questions about tea.
In this article, we will introduce some common mistakes when serving tea and some points to be careful of.
Points to keep in mind when serving tea
1. When serving tea, start by serving it close to the guest.
→ When serving tea to a guest room, go as close to the guest as possible and serve it politely. Serving it from a distance is considered rude.
2. Do not place the tea down and slide it across the table to serve it to the guest.
→ When placing the tea, avoid sliding it across the table and place it gently. If you have to serve the tea to guests far away, it is polite to carry it closer to them and serve it after saying "Excuse me."
3. It is considered bad manners to set the teacup and saucer on the table.
→ Rather than setting out the tea tray and tea bowls in front of the guest, set them on a tray or side table beforehand.
Pay attention to how you stand
Even after you have finished serving the tea, you should not feel at ease. There are proper etiquette regarding how you stand up.
The correct way to stand is to hold the tray horizontally with one hand supporting it from underneath. For added stability, place the other hand on the edge of the tray.
This posture looks smart and shows consideration for the customer. It is also important to keep your back straight and appear calm.
What you should avoid is holding the tray facing forward with both hands.
It is easy to hold and is something we tend to do without thinking, but this posture gives the impression of being a bit sloppy. The tray is merely a tool for carrying tea to guests, so it is important to always handle it with care.
How to drink tea
There are a few things to keep in mind when drinking tea.
First, when holding a teacup, instead of holding it to the side with one hand, hold it as if you are wrapping it around yourself with both hands .
If you hold the tea bowl with one hand, it may slip and you may drop it. Especially if the tea is hot, you may get burned. Hold the tea bowl firmly with both hands, be careful not to drop it, and sip your tea carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Should I always take a sip of the tea that is served to me?
When you are offered tea, express your gratitude and drink it enthusiastically. It is recommended that you drink at least half of it before leaving.
When someone offers you tea, it means that they have taken the time to make it for you. Be grateful for the thoughtfulness, and drink at least half of it before you leave. It is good manners to have at least one sip.
Q. What to do with tea that has a lid?
First, drip some drops into the tea bowl to prevent any spills when removing the lid, then place the lid on the table with the inside facing up.
Some people leave the lid on, but it is good manners to return the lid to the way it was originally put out when you finish drinking or when you leave.
Q. When should I serve extra tea?
It is common to replace tea every 30 minutes after the first cup of tea is served. When replacing tea, put all the tea away and serve new tea for everyone.
Instead of pouring tea directly into a teacup in front of the customer, the tea is carefully brewed behind the scenes and the finished tea is served to the customer.
If a customer is late, instead of just serving him an extra cup of tea, take away everyone's tea and serve everyone else's again.
Q. What if you're served food you don't like?
Basically, it is polite to accept what is offered to you. However, if you absolutely cannot eat it due to allergies, illness, etc., you should express your gratitude by saying, "Thank you for your kind consideration." If you are still offered the food, it is important to honestly explain the reason.
On the other hand, the thing you want to avoid the most is eating only one bite or leaving food on your plate.
Food that is left over cannot be served to others, and it is also rude to the person who provided it. If you absolutely cannot finish your meal, it is better to refrain from leaving it from the beginning, so that both parties can finish the meal on a good note.
