Three questions I've been dying to ask people who live in Britain

[UberLutheran]

1) What is "tea": when is it served, and food are served as a part of "tea" (beside tea)? Is there an American equivalent?

2) What is "high tea", as opposed to "tea"? On what occasions would "high tea" be served; and what foods are included in a "high tea"?

3) OK, I know this is plebian, but I'm going to ask for myself and a number of Americans who would love to have the answer to this question:

Is "The Vicar of Dibley" still playing in England? We got it for awhile on PBS here in the States, but it went away. That was probably the single funniest program I've ever seen -- and its description of parish politics was dead on!

 

[keithylishus]

1) What is "tea": when is it served, and food are served as a part of "tea" (beside tea)? Is there an American equivalent?

Heh. There is an American equivilent to tea. It's called "dinner" Yeah... Sometimes, people call dinner "tea".

2) What is "high tea", as opposed to "tea"? On what occasions would "high tea" be served; and what foods are included in a "high tea"?

High tea is an afternoon tea drinking session with snacks and chat. I found a helpful step-by-step guide! http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/hightea/hightea.html

3) OK, I know this is plebian, but I'm going to ask for myself and a number of Americans who would love to have the answer to this question:

Is "The Vicar of Dibley" still playing in England? We got it for awhile on PBS here in the States, but it went away. That was probably the single funniest program I've ever seen -- and its description of parish politics was dead on!

The Vicar of Dibley finished ages ago It was a great program. It's repeated now and then on the BBC over here, AFAIK. If you have BBC America, it's on 2pm ET every weekday

 

[TheTempleTeam]

It's actually different in different places in the UK. Moving 100miles south or north in some places can change dialect completely! It's scarey. 'Tea' to me... as a glaswegian... would mean 'dinner' i.e. taken between 5-8 in the evening usually.

 

[AndrewG]

In the midlands tea is the main evening meal, I have recently moved to London where there call tea, dinner, and dinner (at midday) lunch. So I have asked why are school dinner ladies called dinner ladies when they serve lunch according to southerners?

I hope this doesn't confuse our friends in the Usa any more than it confuses me.

 

[ChrisB]

1) On what occasions would "high tea" be served

Only on period costume dramas on TV

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

And cricket matches.

 

[adams apple]

Tea is an evening meal,though i think it's a northern thing. Poncy southerners say dinner or something equally ridiculous.

As for the vicar of dibley, i don't think there is anyway anyone can help you.It's an affliction

 

[StormeTorque]

Poncy southerners say dinner or something equally ridiculous.

Rofl!

 

[artybloke]

Only on period costume dramas on TV

Or in Scotland, around 4pm, with lots of strong tea (the drink that is), sandwiches with the crusts cut off and cut into quarters diagonally, and cake. Lots of cake. Squidgy cake being favourite; or maybe Dundee cake.

I had one once in a hotel in Aberdeen. It was very civilised, and probably very bad for the cholestrol levels.

 

[TheTempleTeam]

Or in Scotland, around 4pm, with lots of strong tea (the drink that is), sandwiches with the crusts cut off and cut into quarters diagonally, and cake. Lots of cake. Squidgy cake being favourite; or maybe Dundee cake.

I had one once in a <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=hotel&v=55">hotel</a> in Aberdeen. It was very civilised, and probably very bad for the cholestrol levels.

and this hotel was probably run by an English couple 'High Tea' is a very English thing, we're too busy for 'high tea' up here Plus... it would ruin our dinner of cheese and chips, washed down with irn bru Ah... the diet of the scots

 

[DJ_Ghost]

and this hotel was probably run by an English couple 'High Tea' is a very English thing, we're too busy for 'high tea' up here Plus... it would ruin our dinner of cheese and chips, washed down with irn bru Ah... the diet of the scots

Typical Glasweigen assuming the way its done in Glasgow is the way its done all over Scotland.

In Dumfresshire we are very fond of high tea, but then we always where the civilised ones. You don't realy think the English could have invented something so civilised as high tea without stealing the notion from a Scot do you? I doubt they could tie their shoes ifg a Scot hadn't taught them how.

Ghost
(Ex-pat Langhomite)

PS; Please take this post in the light hearted spirit it is intended.
PPS; Sorry I removed your smiles TTT, apparently the forum only allows so many in a post and I need them

 

[ChrisB]

sandwiches with the crusts cut off

You'll never get curly hair..........................

 

[TheTempleTeam]

No Problem Man Oops, there I go again! Of course I'd take it light-heartedly, glaswegians may have huge egos, but we also have the best banter in the world! (example of huge ego!). And yes.... you make a very good point they must have stolen it from the Scots. Well Done! I applaud you

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

and this hotel was probably run by an English couple 'High Tea' is a very English thing, we're too busy for 'high tea' up here Plus... it would ruin our dinner of cheese and chips, washed down with irn bru Ah... the diet of the scots

Possibly the finest meal of my life was a 'scoobie snack' purchased from a van called The Maggie in your fine city It was basically everything fried in a bun

The other great thing about Scotish quisine is haggis - I LOVE haggis, especially as part of a cooked breakfast.

 

[TheTempleTeam]

Ha! I know exactly where 'The Maggie' is?! It's 'Scoobie Snacks' are legendary! Right next to the Botanic Galleries... God Bless Glasgow

 

[Tangnefedd]

Possibly the finest meal of my life was a 'scoobie snack' purchased from a van called The Maggie in your fine city It was basically everything fried in a bun

Sounds as if it should have come with a Government Health warning, LOL!!!

 

[TheTempleTeam]

Let's be honest here Tangnefedd... it should

 

[DJ_Ghost]

No Problem Man Oops, there I go again! Of course I'd take it light-heartedly, glaswegians may have huge egos, but we also have the best banter in the world!

'strue dat, I know I married one.

And yes.... you make a very good point they must have stolen it from the Scots. Well Done! I applaud you

Ghost

 

[fabuleuse]

Hmm, I'll keep an eye out for the Maggie!

I remember having high tea at Nardini's in Largs. It was just like normal tea but a bit earlier and not so much food.

I say dinner sometimes even though I'm a northerner.

 

[TheTempleTeam]

Nardinis... great ice cream They just set up shop in Glasgow. beautiful.