The tea etiquette over here is somewhat different than what we practice back in Australia. The main difference being that it actually exists. It thrives. I’m pretty sure you would find it in school syllabuses, university transcripts and even on CV’s.
In Australia we abide by the ‘fend for yourself’ mantra. Meaning, that if you want a cup of tea you will simply just get one. You don’t expect anyone to get one for you, and no one expects you to get one for them. They breed us tough back home.
In London however, if you want a cup of tea you have to offer the entire office one as well. I’m talking in the realm of six or seven…made to order.
The logistics of manoeuvring six cups of scalding hot water around the office on a plastic tray is quite a complicated process. It involves gymnast like movements such as the scissor stumble (using both your legs to hold open two doors at one time whist passing through), the backward summersault (opening the door with your backside, flicking it open and running through before it shuts) and the dismount (making sure the tea is delivered safely without any spillage).
The entire process is exhausting and quickly counteracts the few benefits of drinking tea at all.