Coffee tables are named because of their primary function of propping up the nation’s coffee cups – but considering our drinking habits, is the name fair?
The name ‘coffee tables’ suggests a certain amount of sophistication. Coffee tables are for coffee drinkers – and coffee drinkers are well travelled types with complex palettes who can sometimes appear to have more in common with wine snobs than lovers of other hot beverages. Not surprisingly, we Brits of the more down to earth disposition are a nation of tea lovers. So why aren’t our coffee tables called tea tables?
Coffee Tables – What’s in a Name?
After all, the legacy of taking afternoon tea on our coffee tables has been passed down from generation to generation - made from reclaimed oak furniture. Even if today’s tea lovers may not always add tiers of cake or cucumber sandwiches without the crusts, many of us still have a reliable cup of tea – and maybe a biscuit – in the afternoons. And in the UK, the majority of us will drink tea in the mornings. When they tried to ban tea breaks, the nation went on strike. But somehow ‘coffee tables’ sounds more sophisticated and aspirational.
Addicted to Tea
The paraphernalia around coffee – the grinding machines, specialist cups, espresso machines and various coffee concoctions from macchiato to cappuccino – means coffee is an altogether more expensive and perhaps affluent beverage. But a little research shows that perhaps it’s time we renamed coffee tables for tea tables. It isn’t just us Brits who love drinking tea on our coffee tables. Even A-list celebs it seems have turned their backs on lattes, cocktails and champagne and would rather have a cup of refreshing tea. A slew of stars have been spotted sipping delicious cups of tea. Perhaps because tea is such a perfect pick me up as well as famed for its health-giving properties. If you imagine Jennifer Aniston kicking back with her feet up on her coffee table, chances are she’s sipping a good old cup of tea. Her love life causes a lot of speculation in the gossip magazines, but it’s said that her preferred venue for a date is not over lunch or dinner, but over afternoon tea.
Time to Rename Coffee Tables?
As expected, many British actors have come out as preferring tea to coffee, including Kristin Scott Thomas who has said she is addicted to tea, drinking about eight cups a day. Anna Friel may live in LA but she buys PG Tips from American supermarkets. So isn’t it time we Brits reclaimed coffee tables for what they really are – tea tables!
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