In honor of National Tea Month, here are some tips on how to avoid the Tea Drinkers’ Hall of Shame.

• Do not refer to tea or afternoon tea as “high tea”.
• Do not use lemon and milk together.
• Do not add the milk before the tea.
• Do not put the lemon slice in the cup before pouring the tea.
• Do not extend the pinkie.
• Do not leave the spoon upright in the cup.
• Do not swirl the liquid around in the cup as if it were wine in a glass.
• Do not cradle the cup in one’s fingers if there is a handle.
• Do not remove the tea bag from the teapot and place it on the saucer.
• Do not remove the teabag and wrap the string around it to squeeze out the remaining tea.

So, put on the kettle and settle in for a lovely cup of tea.