origin

Its not always the case, Its how tea is being described.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1535_questionanswer/page2.shtml

quote below

"And the final word is tea. Now of course this is a drink, like tea and coffee, but it can also be a light evening meal. I think this word is often used in families, particularly with their children. "It's tea time", "It's time for tea!" This means their small evening meal. "

It then turns into a northern southern argument, I dont have the energy to well care about.

snaxmuppet

I am getting bored with this rather weird discussion now. My final word on the matter is that anything that is labelled as "Afternoon Tea", and has a package price, I would expect to include a drink of tea. I understand that if you take the menu literally, and don't apply any cultural expectations, then it is clear that a drink is not included. But it is a British airline and I suggest that most British people when given the option of "Afternoon Tea" would expect a drink of tea to be included whether it is explicit or not. IMO the menu/adverts should make it clear that a drink is not included.

Nuff said I think... I have a holiday to plan!!!

orbitmic

What I think many of us have been saying for a while is that "afternoon tea" could be a very clear name for a set (or "combi deal" as you call it or package or whatever) that would include tea, scone, jam and clotted cream, and when you look at the page that says afternoon tea you may very well think that this is exactly what you will get looking at the photo and especially if you have been exposed to BA's successful media campaign about their centennial afternoon tea.

I have not been to the New Forest, so you have one on me, but even though this is not a meal I do personally enjoy and would never order by choice, I have taken delighted visitors to countless places from seedy tea shops all the way to the poshest London hotels where they/we ordered afternoon tea which invariably included tea, scones, usually some sandwiches and often some cakes. I do not remember ever having to pay extra for the tea (in some places some specialty teas involve a supplement and in the posh places you can typically add Champagne for an extra cost).

I would add that the price of Ł5 is also in and by itself suggestive of a set. Ł5 for a single scone with cream and jam is a ludicrous amount even compared to BA's own other food items. To put this in perspective, it is more expensive than any of the sandwiches on the menu whilst the snack items (much closer to a scone) are all priced between Ł1 and Ł2.

Now, I'm sure some places do exist that have a menu called "afternoon tea" where you can order whatever you want a la carte, but I'm sure that like me you have also encountered those many other places where afternoon tea refers to a set such as the one I describe above too.

Andriyko

Well, then there is really no point in the discussion if you're avoiding pointing out the 'afternoon tea' item and its price in the printed menu. I see 3 separate items and no set price for any combination thereof.

subject2load

navylad

orbitmic

Indeed, how dare he refuse to point out for an 11th time what has already been pointed out 10 times....

snaxmuppet

You seem to be wanting an argument but I am fed up arguing with you! Sorry.

V10

This, really. We can dance on the head of a pin for an eternity about whether "afternoon tea" suggests the inclusion of tea or not, but the reality of the passenger surprise is probably not only "where's the tea" but also "hang on, are you really expecting me to cough up 5 quid for a single scone with a couple of small pots of jam and cream?"

Andriyko

I did not use the word 'refuse.' And such item and its price have not been pointed out in the printed menu. Not once. Probably because it does not exist.

No, that's not what I want at all. I am trying to understand where you see 'afternoon tea' on that menu. I am not arguing that afternoon tea should or should not actually come with tea. But I don't see such a menu item as 'afternoon tea' in that menu. That's it.

Added: I actually got some clarification from your earlier post that I missed about the menu and taking it literally (although I don't see where you see a package price). It is actually clearer now why there is a discrepancy between what BA lists in the menu and your assumption. Thank you.

T8191

How can The Ritz advertise ‘afternoon tea’ at 11:30 am? Should they not also be the target of our mass ire?

V10

The sun is always over the yardarm somewhere, as they say.

origin

But some have advertised afternoon tea, with champagne.

masmadrid

That is an unrelated point given that the person you're replying to is quoting the word "tea" in "afternoon tea", not just the word "tea", and thus no need to attempt to create any North vs South debate

flyer0123

BA is an International airline and not everyone knows what an afternoon Tea entails. While I don't think BA may not be deliberately misleading, as a non-Brit I would have assumed afternoon Tea includes Tea at first thought. Well, I am very detail oriented and would have reviewed the menu and probably figured out it does not include Tea and wouldn't purchase it just for scone, but in reality most people don't review every detail listed on the menu.

I actually feel for the FA's. They have to face the wrath of traveling public in this