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Showing off at Betty's Tearooms with your American family

2008 November 23
by peacefulyorkshire

yahooavatar15Let me tell you now, fellow readers,  Betty’s Tearooms are not a bargain…but wait– its okay–because it is one of the best Yorkshire experiences, hand down. Don’t you think?

Its the place where you take all your family when they come visit you from far away America. See, you say, showing off a bit, England is just great, isn’t it?

Look mom, they have real silver tea strainers!

Uhh, dad, I explain, be sure you don’t drink your coffee too fast because this is not a diner, they don’t give you free refills here.

About that point Mr. Chill winces in pain when we walk in the door because he knows that he has to foot the bill, because aren’t we all a guest in his country anyway? He knows it won’t be cheap.

Betty’s represents what I thought England would be like when I arrived here, before views of council flats, chav mothers smoking on my street corner, horrible weather and complacent attitudes became my daily reality. Oh no, Betty’s represents the England of Cath Kidson, Princess Diana, red Double-Decker buses and paisley.

Betty’s is English perfection, those silver tea pots and fresh white table cloths. Indulgent lemon tarts and strawberry pies. The milky waitresses serve quietly in starched linens, zit-free and hair in a tidy tight bun.

Big portions?

Not a chance!

As we leave I purchase a 50 bag box of “Betty’s Tearoom Blend” so I can be more proper in my middle-class North England life.

Oh yes,  I relish any opportunity to imitate an afternoon at Betty’s…

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5 Responses leave one →
  1. pacificyorkshirebird permalink
    November 24, 2008

    Hehe, I took my parents and my girl friends to Betty’s. We like to introduce people to “cream teas”. Betty’s is the perfect place to show off for our American visitors!

  2. yankeebean permalink
    November 25, 2008

    There’s this feeling when I’m in Betty’s like I’m in the ‘right England’. Like this is how everyone in England should be… and there should be cobble stone streets (although there sometimes are) and it should be raining (although it usually is).

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