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Have you ever wondered about the correct way to take afternoon tea, according to the traditions of the British upper classes? If you havent, youd hardly be alone. Whether rightly or wrongly, most people ignore the rules that were once upheld by afternoon tea-eaters of England. Over the centuries since its creation, the treatment of this unique and special meal has become only more casual.So, maybe we should all be thinking twice before turning up, haphazard and unprepared, to our next post-lunch, pre-dinner affair. According to experts in etiquette, there is a correct way to do everything, including something as simple as eating a few sandwiches and cakes.What Is Afternoon Tea?At The Tea Table, by John Bowles, 1710. Source: The British MuseumWho doesnt love afternoon tea? This tradition is one of Britains finest. It appears to consumers that its only purpose is enjoyment and pleasure.The Cambridge Dictionary describes afternoon tea as a meal eaten in the afternoon, usually including cake, sometimes several different cakes, and often sandwiches, with tea to drink. When it comes to its usage in the English language, the dictionary gives as an example the following sentence: the hotel offers a famous afternoon tea including tiny sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, and a wonderful selection of pastries.A proper afternoon tea is served on a three-tiered structure. On the bottom and biggest plate come the sandwiches. On the middle plate come the scones with little pots of jam and cream. On the highest and smallest plate come the selection of cakes and sweet pastries.The manner in which these foods are served is particularly gentile. Sandwiches should be small, not chunky, and served without crusts. Cakes should be bite-sized and individually baked, rather than cut from a larger cake. This sounds very petite and perhaps a little unsatisfying. However, the purpose of serving afternoon tea is not to fill the guest up, but to keep them going between the larger meals of lunch and dinner.Just as the name suggests, your afternoon tea will come with a choice of tea to drink. It is common practice for restaurants or hotels to offer an unlimited number of pots per person. One neednt worry if they are not a lover of tea, the drink is usually interchangeable with coffee. Champagne, or some other fizzy alcoholic beverage may be served. However, this addition should not be taken for granted, and usually warrants an extra payment.The First Afternoon Tea: When, Where, and How Did it Begin?Anna Russell, 1820-34. Source: The British MuseumThe afternoon tea was inadvertently created in the mid-1840s by Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford. Anna was a prominent member of London society, and more importantly, a close friend of Queen Victoria. Apparently, while visiting the household of the Duke of Rutland, she requested a light refreshment between lunch and dinner. She found that she was so hungry during the late afternoon that she could not wait comfortably for the next meal. It is worth remembering that during the 1840s, dinner was becoming increasingly late, and was not served until eight at the earliest, and ten at the latest. To combat what she described as a sinking feeling that came with early evening, Anna ordered some tea, some sandwiches, and a few cakes to be brought to her room.Having enjoyed it once, Anna made the same request again and again, and eventually began to ask her friends to join her for afternoon tea in her apartments.Such was her influence in London that many other ladies in her social circle began to imitate her quirks. It wasnt long before afternoon tea was common practice in many high-class households in London.Aside from the pleasure it provided, there were other advantages to filling up on sandwiches and cakes a few hours before dinner. When the family and guests were finally called into dinner at around nine oclock in the evening, the young ladies werent as hungry as they might have been had they been waiting since lunchtime. This meant they didnt feel the need to consume so much food. In such a polite and gentile society, it was important to women that they didnt appear greedy in front of any gentleman visitors.1. Pre-Tea PreparationStill Life with Fruit, Bottles, Breads, by Francisco Goya, 1824-26. Source: Wikimedia CommonsSo, you have been invited to attend an afternoon tea. Before committing to your dining experience, the first question you should be asking yourself is, in what sort of meal am I actually meant to be partaking?There are many types of tea. High tea, cream tea, and afternoon tea are just a few examples of the meals that appear to be pretty much interchangeable. But this is wrong. Afternoon tea is definitely not a cream teathis simply refers to the much smaller meal of a scone with cream and jam, and perhaps a cup of something hot.However, this isnt quite as bad as mistaking an afternoon tea for a high tea. Many people use this term as they think it sounds classier than afternoon tea, but to those in the know, it actually has the opposite effect. High tea was the name given to a servants meal. After serving their employers an afternoon tea, employees would take high tea in the servants quarters. High tea included items such as joints of meat, thick slices of bread, large cakes, and alevery different from what appears on an afternoon tea menu. The meal was eaten at a proper table, rather than a coffee table, and so it became known in the servants hall as high tea. Referring to an afternoon tea as a high tea, particularly during the 20th century, would have provoked a few sideways glances to say the least.The Tea, by Mary Cassatt, 1880. Source: Museum of Fine Arts BostonAnother thing you might want to familiarize yourself with is the dress-code. The general rule for afternoon tea is that dress should be smart-casual. This means that guests should strike a balance between comfort and sophistication; between carefree and polished. The look is generally considered suitable for numerous occasions.Some hotels are stricter than others. The Ritzone of the finest hotels in Londonrequires that gentlemen wear a jacket and tie for afternoon tea. Although there is no such advice for ladies, they can take this as a sign that they should dress to match the standards of the men. Jeans are not allowed for either sex. Shorts, trainers, and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotels restaurants, whether for afternoon tea or any other meal.The Palm Court of the Ritz, 1907. Source: Wikimedia CommonsTo avoid embarrassment, it is considered good practice to confirm the dress-code well in advance of the event. This is best done by ringing either the host or the hotel to check. There is nothing worse than turning up underdressedsome locations may even hold the right to deny entry to anyone not adhering to the dress code.We shouldnt complain about this. Although it was originally relaxed and taken at home, afternoon tea became a social occasion or outing rather than a private activity. The meal was eaten in hotels instead of bedrooms. Young ladies of the Victorian era soon began using afternoon tea as an excuse to dress up in their beautiful gowns, silky gloves, fine hats, expensive jewellery, and high shoes. In fact, one of the rooms of the Ritz, the Long Gallery, was specifically designed to accommodate two ladies walking side by side in their enormous dresses.The final thing that everyone wants to know before responding to an invitation is the time at which the event is scheduled to take place. Most commonly, afternoon tea will be taken between three and five. Four is often regarded as the best time at which to begin. As you might expect, the timing finds its origins in the Victorian Era. As previously mentioned, the tea was, and still is, eaten as a light meal right in the middle of two heavier meals. Afternoon tea came between lunch (at around noon) and dinner (at around nine).2. Water or Milk: Which Should Go in the Teacup First?The Milkmaid, by Johannes Vermeer, 1660. Source: The RijksmuseumImagine that you are making yourself a cup of tea at home. What do you need? You definitely want some tea and plenty of hot water. You probably also require some milk and sugar. But in which order would you add these ingredients to the cup? Furthermore, in which order should you add these ingredients to the cup, when in polite company? Unlike many questions surrounding afternoon tea, this one has a definite answer.It is considered good etiquette to add hot water to a teacup first, and then the milk afterwards. This tradition has its origins in the 19th century, when it was common practice to demonstrate the strength of your chinaware through your tea preparation. Rich families would have expensive and resilient tea sets that would not crack on contact with hot water. Poorer families would have cheap tea sets that may break if hot water was added directly, without something cold to dilute it. In the Victorian Era, guests could estimate how much their host had paid for their teacups by noticing whether they added the cold milk or the hot water first.Afternoon Tea, by Sebastian Coman Photography. Source: UnsplashAnother perk to this method is that you can properly see the amount of milk needed after evaluating the strength of your tea. If it was already in the cup before the water and the tea leaves or teabag, there may be too much, and your tea might end up tasting too weak.In the best hotels that England has to offer, guests may find an enormous array of tea to choose from. Some of the most common include Darjeeling (an aromatic tea from India), Chai (a spicy tea from India), Lapsang Souchong (a smoky tea from China), Assam (a strong tea from India), and Earl Grey (the traditional English favorite). Herbal tea may also be selected, and flavors include peppermint, lavender, chamomile, lemon and ginger, hibiscus, echinacea, peach blossom, and rooibos.Never, never, raise your little finger while drinking tea. It is considered neither necessary nor fashionable.3. What to Do With Your Napkin: A Guide for All SituationsTea and Scones, by Robert Bye. Source: UnsplashAt the start of an afternoon tea, your napkin (otherwise known as your serviette) should be placed on your lap. This will be done either by you (in a restaurant of moderate standards) or by the waiter or waitress (in a restaurant of extremely high standards). If a waiter or waitress approaches you with this intent, do not be alarmed. Let them carry out their expertise alone; you need do nothing but sit still.However much of a mess you may have made, wiping your mouth with your napkin is a big no. To correctly remove any crumbs or potential stains, you should gently dab your lips with the napkin with small and gentle motions. The main body of the napkin should remain on your lap, with just a corner extending to your face. The napkin should come to you; you should not bend down to meet the napkin, but remain sitting upright. The underside of the napkin should be used for dabbing. This is so that when it is folded back onto the lap, any potential stains are underneath. Thankfully, the napkin appears white and pristine.In a truly tragic caseone in which dabbing is not sufficientit would be best to excuse yourself from the tea for a moment and retire to the bathroom, where a more extensive wash can be carried out in private. However, even a trip to the bathroom can be challenging as far as napkin etiquette is concerned. If you leave the table for any reason, your napkin should be placed on your chair. This signals the other guests, and the waiter, that you intend to return.4. Bottom to Top, or Top to Bottom?Teapot, by Tran Phu. Source: UnsplashWere you ever told as a child to eat your sandwiches before your cakes? Well, the next piece of etiquette advice will be reminiscent of that time in your life. There is a definite order in which your afternoon tea should be eaten. You should begin with the savory items on the bottom tier, then proceed to the scones on the middle tier, then finish with the sweet items on the top tier. The rule is to go from bottom to top, certainly not top to bottom.When it comes to actually eating the items, there are a few things to remember. If you are attending with friends, you may be presented with one or two afternoon tea plates. If you are sharing one set of tiers between two people, there will certainly be an equal number of each item. These should absolutely always be split evenly. For example, if there are four smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, you should eat only two.No matter how many other guests you are sharing with, it is considered good manners to select an item then move it to your own plate before eating it. No need to ask for an extra plateeach guest will automatically receive their own small piece of chinaware for personal use.Consumers of afternoon tea may rest assured that every item on every plate should be eaten with the fingers. There is no need to use any cutlery to eat any of the food. The only occasions on which to pick up a spoon or a knife are in the stirring of your tea or the spreading of condiments on your scone.5. Jam or Cream: Which Should Go on the Scone First?The flag of Cornwall. Source: Wikimedia CommonsA scone is an integral part of the afternoon tea experience. It is the middle course, which means it is the main course, for it comes after the sandwiches and before the cakes. The Cambridge Dictionary describes a scone as a small, usually round cake that is like bread, made from flour, milk or cream and a little fat.To those who have never eaten a scone, this description may evoke thoughts of something dry, tasteless, and therefore pointless. However, it is what is served with a scone that makes it special. There are only two condiments to add to a scone. They are raspberry or strawberry jam (also called jelly), and clotted cream. But which of these should be applied first?This topic is controversial. When it comes to starting an argument in Britain, there is nothing that gets people going like the question of how to properly spread condiments onto a scone. The correct answer was dependentand to some extent still is dependenton geographical location, social standing, and personal inclination.Residents of Britain are divided: either they do it the Devon way or the Cornish way. These two rivals have been at war with one another for centuries over this matter. Those from Devon put on the cream first, and then the jam. Those from Cornwall put on the jam first, and then the cream.There is no definitive answer to this seemingly endless debate. The truth is that both the Devon way and the Cornwall way are equally acceptable amongst members of the highest society in England.Coronation Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, by Cecil Beaton, 1953. Source: The Royal CollectionHowever, if any attendee of the afternoon tea were to push for an answer, there is one timeless source that could potentially be consulted. That source is none other than the British Royal family. Inevitably, our findings will shock and even disappoint about 50 percent of the population. The teatime preferences of King Charles III are elusive, but it is reported by the household of the late queen, Elizabeth II, that she adhered to the Cornish way. She chose to put her jam on first, then her cream. Who can say fairer than that?There is one final point to remember about correctly preparing your scone for consumption. If you really want to impress people, do not cut your scone in half with a knife, as has become customary in recent years. As strange as it may seem, the correct etiquette is to pull a little off at a time, using only your fingers. Then, you should spread your condiments on each individual, bite-sized piece before eating it, repeating the sequence until it is finished.

Hull City CouncilThe cannon found in hull was decommissioned and had its nozzle capped long ago.During recent excavations at Queens Garden in Hull, England, contractors stumbled across a large mass deep in the earth. They originally thought it was a World War II bomb, but their discovery, while still a weapon, was actually even older. It soon became clear that the contractors had come across a cannon.Dating to the 17th or 18th century, this historic cannon had been decommissioned decades ago, with its nozzle plugged up, before it was buried in the early 20th century as backfill along Queens Dock.The Centuries-Old Cannon Discovered At Queens Garden In HullAccording to a statement from the Hull City Council, the cannon was discovered entirely by chance. On February 13, contractors were working on construction of an attenuation tank when they ran up against a large mass.Hull City CouncilThe cannon has probably been buried for roughly a century, ever since backfill was added near the dock in the 1920s and 1930s.At first, there was some concern that theyd found an ordnance from World War II. However, they soon determined that their find was instead a cannon.This is a fascinating discovery that offers a glimpse into Hulls maritime and military past, said Peter Connelly, the Archaeology Manager of Humber Field Archaeology. Our archaeology team is now carrying out detailed assessments and well be able to share more once their work is complete.While more study is indeed needed, archaeologists do know a little bit about the cannon as of now. It seemingly dates to the 17th or 18th century, and is thus as many as 400 years old. The weapon is roughly 8.5 feet long and is estimated to weigh more than a ton. And experts can also tell that it had been decommissioned long ago, when it was plugged at the mouth end.This offers a clue about how the cannon was used and provides a fascinating look back into Hulls maritime and military past.How The Cannon May Have Once Been Used In HullAs Connelly noted, the cannon probably had a second life after it was decommissioned. Once the muzzle of the cannon was plugged up, it was probably made into a mooring post, a common use for old cannons in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In fact, Hull still has mooring posts made of decommissioned cannons to this day.Hull City CouncilA mooring post on Humber Dock Street in Hull, which is made out of a decommissioned cannon similar to the one found in Queens Garden.After becoming a mooring post, the cannon was likely buried in the backfill of the dock area, which took place in the 1920s and 1930s.So how was the cannon used before it was decommissioned? While it was probably used for defensive purposes, its unknown if the weapon was mounted on a ship or on land.That said, the cannon likely played some role in Hulls rich history as a port city. Queens Garden, where the cannon was found, was actually once the site of the largest dock in the United Kingdom.Indeed, Hull in the 17th century was a bustling nexus of trade. The city exported grain, cloth, and lead, and re-exported coal from Newcastle to other parts of the country. Hull was also a shipbuilding hub, and home to many fishermen. Whats more, the city played an important role in the English Civil War.In April 1642, King Charles I demanded entry into Hull, a bastion of Parliamentarian sentiment, and was refused by the citys governor and his supporters. That July, a royalist army laid siege to the city but was ultimately forced to back off. The following autumn, a second siege took place, with the royalists once again forced to back down.Public DomainA depiction of King Charles I being refused entry to Hull in 1642.Perhaps the cannon played some role in this dramatic chapter in Hulls history. But for now, the exact usage of the cannon remains uncertain.That said, the cannon remains an astounding discovery. As Connelly said, Finds like this highlight the rich history beneath our city.After reading about the cannon from the 17th or 18th century that was unearthed in Hull, England, discover the astounding story of the Schwerer Gustav gun, the German World War II weapon that stands as the largest gun in world history. Then, read about some of the weirdest royal deaths in history, including that of James II of Scotland, who was killed by a backfiring cannon.The post Workers Excavating For Storm Drain Construction In England Just Discovered A Cannon That Could Date Back 400 Years appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Click here to view slideshowSerial killer John Wayne Gacy was executed more than three decades go. And yet, his paintings captivate the attention of art collectors to this day. What's so fascinating about artwork created by a man who was convicted of unspeakable crimes? And are John Wayne Gacy's paintings even that good?Known as the "Killer Clown," Gacy was found guilty of murdering 33 young men and boys in the 1970s. To make matters worse, he cruelly stashed many of his victims' bodies in the crawlspace beneath his home in the Chicago area. After he was arrested, he was sentenced to death for his heinous crimes. And on May 10, 1994, he was executed by lethal injection.But despite Gacy's macabre legacy, he left behind artwork that's still coveted by collectors all over the world. This is the strange but true story of John Wayne Gacy's paintings.The Unspeakable Crimes Of John Wayne GacyKaren Engstrom/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Getty ImagesPolice carrying the remains of one of John Wayne Gacy's victims.John Wayne Gacy was born on March 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. His childhood was anything but idealistic. His alcoholic father would violently beat him, his siblings, and even his mother for every perceived slight. The beatings were so severe that Gacy's sister, Karen, would later say that they learned to "toughen up" in the face of the abuse.Gacy would eventually go on to get married twice and even have children, but he was always attracted to men. While both of his ex-wives were at least somewhat aware of this attraction, they probably never could've imagined the horrors that he would inflict upon some of the young men he met. However, there were a few unsettling clues along the way.In 1968, Gacy was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy and given a 10-year prison sentence. He was paroled in 1970, but shortly after his release, another teenage boy accused him of assault. However, these charges were dropped when the boy didn't show up to court.Despite his record, Gacy was beloved in his local community and soon earned a reputation for amusing children as a member of a Chicago-area "Jolly Joker" clown club, under the name "Pogo the Clown." But there was something far darker lurking beneath the costume.Ultimately, it was later revealed that Gacy committed 33 murders between 1972 and 1978. All of John Wayne Gacy's victims were young men and boys, and many of them were killed by asphyxiation or strangulation. And most of their bodies were buried on his property.John Wayne Gacy was convicted of his heinous crimes on March 12, 1980. Shortly thereafter, he was sentenced to death. And about 14 years later, he was executed by lethal injection. But while he was awaiting his execution, John Wayne Gacy began painting in prison. These paintings would later fetch thousands of dollars and plenty of controversy as they took on a macabre life of their own.John Wayne Gacy's PaintingsFacebookCollector Ryan Graveface with his John Wayne Gacy art collection.One of the first exhibitions of John Wayne Gacy's paintings took place in 2011 at the Contemporary Arts Center Gallery at the front of the Arts Factory in Las Vegas. Dubbed "Multiples: The Artwork of John Wayne Gacy," the show ignited controversy as many residents believed it was inappropriate. It was initially reported that the National Center for Victims of Crime would be receiving proceeds from the sales of the artwork, but the organization refuted that claim: "We believe the idea of benefiting from an activity relating to such egregious and violent crimes would be in poor taste to the extreme. Out of respect for the victims' families, we have not agreed and would not agree to accept any contribution that comes from the sale of John Wayne Gacy's work, which he did while in prison for torturing and murdering young boys and men."Of course, John Wayne Gacy wasn't the only killer with an artistic flair. Art by Richard "Night Stalker" Ramirez and Charles Manson has also been sold to collectors, and even lesser-known killers have been known to pick up a paintbrush. And depending on how infamous the killer is, their artwork can potentially sell for enormous sums.As for John Wayne Gacy's paintings, they are known for being especially high in demand, going for anywhere from $6,000 to a whopping $175,000. As one auctioneer explained, "The more vicious the case, the higher the body count, certainly the more celebration in the press, the more a painting or drawing is going to be worth." Gacy's illustrations feature a wide variety of subjects, including Adolf Hitler, Elvis Presley, and the Seven Dwarfs. Gacy also created self-portraits of himself as Pogo the Clown and an image of his house (which emphasized the crawlspace where he hid his victims). Eerily, the house painting is the most sought-after Gacy illustration. Recently, Ghost Adventures star Zak Bagans made headlines when he purchased some John Wayne Gacy paintings in 2020. He reportedly bought the art directly from Gacy's step-daughter, Tammy Hoff, who received many of her step-father's paintings while he was on death row. The "Murderabilia" MarketA 1994 documentary on the serial killer memorabilia phenomenon.Zak Bagans' macabre purchase of John Wayne Gacy's paintings reveals a rather interesting sub-sect of the art market: "murderabilia." Coined by victims advocate Andy Kahan in 1999, the "murderabilia" market is estimated to be a $250,000-a-year industry. (However, this number has been disputed.)While many of these true-crime fans would never commit a horrific crime themselves, this type of memorabilia inevitably opens the door for controversy. Is it "right" to sell or purchase a painting like this?In 1977, New York became the first state to take a stand against serial killers profiting from writings or shows about their crimes. This "Son of Sam law" specifically targeted serial killer David "Son of Sam" Berkowitz, who was rumored to be trying to sell the rights to his story. Though 45 states currently have a form of "Son of Sam laws" on the books, the Supreme Court actually ruled the original version of the law unconstitutional. That said, similar laws have since been passed in several states to comply with the Supreme Court's rulings. And some laws specifically target the murderabilia market. For instance, legislation passed in states like California and Texas allows for the confiscation of any profits made from the sale of goods manufactured by violent criminals. However, laws like these can be tough to enforce especially when it comes to third-party sellers.And even in places where murderabilia hasn't been legally challenged, many question whether you should buy art created by a serial killer just because you can. While Tammy Hoff seemed to have no issue accepting money for her step-father John Wayne Gacy's paintings, there is one rather surprising opponent of murderabilia: David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam" himself. In 2009, Kahan contacted David Berkowitz and other serial killers about the rise of murderabilia. While some murderers actively encouraged people to sell their murderabilia, Berkowitz was clear about his disgust for the trend. "It seems to me they are lonely people who use their Web sites to socialize and meet people online rather than in normal face-to-face settings," he said. "I believe they live very unfulfilling lives."After exploring John Wayne Gacy's paintings, read about Charles Manson's wild connection to The Beach Boys. Then, explore the unbelievable crimes of 11 famous American serial killers.The post 25 Paintings By John Wayne Gacy That Will Haunt Your Dreams appeared first on All That's Interesting.

The familiar pint glass is a barroom staple. Despite its iconic status, it may not be the best vessel for serving your favorite brew. Here's why.