<< 返回阅读其它参赛稿件

参赛者姓名: 吴汝婷

参赛短文题目: British afternoon tea

    Tea plays an important part in British life over the years and still does today. The British has also created a unique style for tea drinking and is especially well-known for its elegant afternoon tea.

    Now British afternoon tea has become a symbol of British delicate life style. As to its origin, there’s a popular legend tale. It dates back to Victorian times when Britain was in its most prosperous state. At that time, the culture and art developed and prospered. So people are committed to the pursuit of artistic culture and elaborate living style. Ana, the 7th Duchess of Bedford was one of them and is credited to create the afternoon tea tradition. As we all know, in those days, dinner was served late and of hefty etiquette. She’s too hungry to pass the long afternoon hours. So she asked the maid to prepare some baked bread, cream and tea for her. Then she invited several friends to join her in sharing the comfortable afternoon sunshine. From then on many noble people followed her example and soon the afternoon tea was popular with the upper class. This is the origin of Victorian afternoon tea which has now become a culture of freedom and elegance.

    It’s said that a pure afternoon tea has three characteristics: first, a comfortable environment, such as in a living room or a garden. Then followed a sumptuous pastry which is prepared by the hostess. Finally a top-grade tea set, which is usually made of silver. It’s said that in a country which is a lack of sunshine, just like Britain, the silver set shows people’s desire for sunshine.

    Finally I can see a harmonious picture of afternoon tea spreading in front of me: in a garden where green grass grows everywhere and the birds are singing, people sit around a table and are enjoying the satisfactory afternoon sunshine. This reminds me of an abstract from the portrait of a lady by Henry James, “under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

    Life is so beautiful that we just can’t miss anything. So would you like to join me in the afternoon tea? Because the situation is in itself delightful.