There is a ritual aspect to having tea. Making the tea is an art form. First choosing the tea flavor, begins the tradition, familiar or a new experience..., then, the cup. So beautiful, lovely, and feminine. Perhaps a sweet treat to enjoy with your drink and for a time you slowdown from your fast pace daily life. Coming together over tea is to share a moment in silence or chatter, making friends into family.
In keeping with the country's reputation for honoring tradition, teatime comes with its own set of rules and customs. Some are the same you'd follow in any fine dining setting: unfold your napkin on your lap, be careful not to clink the sides of the teacup when stirring milk and sugar into your tea. When enjoying scones, break them apart rather than cutting them with a knife. Use the accompanying jam and cream generously, but there is a big debate on which goes first.
In the good-natured but hotly contested regional fight on how to layer the cream and preserves, the Devonshire method calls for cream first and the Cornish method calls for jam first. Whichever you choose, it's all part of the time-honored English ritual of afternoon tea.