History Main / TeaIsClassy

* ''Manga/MissionYozakuraFamily'': The eponymous Yozakura family is considered an elite among the spy world, but the members who seem to reflect their refined prestige the most are the eldest siblings Kyoichiro (who, outside of his obsessive siscon, is a reserved PerpetualSmiler who dresses in a formal suit and tie to match) and Futaba (the most responsible of the siblings who is almost always seen in ElegantGothicLolita dresses). Their favorite drinks are black tea and green tea, respectively, and when they are called to serve as examiners for the silver-ranked exams, they are shown to be drinking tea. In fact, Futaba's exam revolves around tea ceremony.

Even as tea becomes more widespread and "common", the connotation of tea drinking as a sign of sophistication and wealth still persists, especially in fiction. Posh characters--most likely TheOjou, the PrincelyYoungMan, or TheBeautifulElite--would often be seen drinking tea during their spare time ([[IdleRich which they have plenty of]]), and might even be seen carrying a teacup and a saucer even when it's inappropriate. Meanwhile, middle-class characters may take to drinking tea in order to look more classy, and little girls role-playing [[PrincessPhase as princesses or rich young ladies]] may include tea parties as an essential part of their act.

* ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'': Celestia Ludenberg is actually a Japanese girl named Taeko Yasuhiro who puts on airs of being an elegant, gothic European woman. She resents people finding out that gyoza is her favorite food since she goes around telling people it's tea.

* ''Manga/MissionYozakuraFamily'': The eponymous Yozakura family is considered an elite among the spy world, but the ones who seem to reflect their refined prestige the most are the eldest siblings Kyoichiro (who, outside of his siscon, is a reserved PerpetualSmiler and is usually dressed in a formal suit and tie to match) and Futaba (the most responsible of the siblings who is almost always seen in ElegantGothicLolita dresses). Their favorite drinks are black tea and green tea, respectively, and when they are called to serve as examiners for the silver-ranked exams, they are seen drinking tea.

This is not surprising. In China, where UsefulNotes/TeaAndTeaCulture originates, high-quality tea was often used by the nobility as a symbol of status, while offering tea was traditionally mandated as a show of respect: during important events, the younger/lower-class member of the family/society are expected to serve tea to the elder/upper-class member. When tea eventually made its way to the United Kingdom in the 17th Century, it was six to ten times more expensive than coffee, making it a luxurious commodity associated with aristocracy.

This is not surprising. In China, where UsefulNotes/TeaAndTeaCulture originates, high-quality tea is often used by the nobility as a symbol of status, while offering tea was traditionally mandated as a show of respect: during important events, the younger/lower-class member of the family/society are expected to serve tea to the elder/upper-class member. When tea eventually made its way to the United Kingdom in the 17th Century, it was six to ten times more expensive than coffee, making it a luxurious commodity associated with aristocracy.

This is not surprising. According to [[Myth/ChineseMythology Chinese legends]], tea was first discovered by Emperor Shennong when some tea leaves fell into the pot of water he was boiling, and the resulting beverage had a delectable taste and aroma that became an essential part of Chinese culture ever since. Offering tea was traditionally mandated as a show of respect: during important events, the younger/lower-class member of the family/society are expected to serve tea to the elder/upper-class members, and high-quality tea is often used by the nobility as a symbol of status. When tea eventually made its way to the United Kingdom in the 17th Century, it was six to ten times more expensive than coffee, making it a luxurious commodity associated with aristocracy.

Whether it's a group of [[BritsLoveTea Victorian-esque ladies and gentlemen]] sipping their afternoon tea out of fancy silverware while taking bites from several courses of finger foods and desserts, or the elaborate ceremonies performed by accomplished masters garbed in expensive-looking kimonos, the very practice of tea drinking is presented as a sign of wealth and privilege--contrasting the "working-class" coffee.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'': The Matchmaker interviews Mulan to assess how bride-worthy she is. A critical test of this involves pouring tea for guests. Justified in that China has a number of formal ceremonies that involve tea service, where decorum and precision are paramount.

This is not surprising. According to Chinese legends, tea was first discovered by Emperor Shen Nong when some tea leaves fell into the pot of water he was boiling, and the resulting beverage had a delectable taste and aroma that became an essential part of Chinese culture ever since. Offering tea was traditionally mandated as a show of respect: during important events, the younger/lower-class member of the family/society are expected to serve tea to the elder/upper-class members, and high-quality tea is often used by the nobility as a symbol of status. When tea eventually made its way to the United Kingdom in the 17th Century, it was six to ten times more expensive than coffee, making it a luxurious commodity associated with aristocracy.

Even as tea becomes more widespread and "common", the connotation of tea drinking as a sign of sophistication and wealth still persists, especially in fiction. Posh characters--most likely TheOjou, the ProperLady, or TheBeautifulElite--would often be seen drinking tea during their spare time ([[IdleRich which they have plenty of]]), and might even be seen carrying a teacup and a saucer even when it's inappropriate. Meanwhile, middle-class characters may take to drinking tea in order to look more classy, and little girls role-playing [[PrincessPhase as princesses or rich young ladies]] may include tea parties as an essential part of their act.

** In Arc System Works' other mainstay ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', Ky Kiske--a high-ranking soldier who eventually becomes a King--is shown to greatly enjoy tea.

** In Arc System Works' other mainstay ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', Ky Kiske is shown to greatly enjoy tea. However, he's not shown to be British and is in fact, French.

* ''VideoGame/BlazBlue's'':
** [[ElegantGothicLolita Elegant Gothic]] [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampire]] Rachel practically obsesses over tea. Her most common entrance has her enjoying a cup before battle. She belittles Hakumen by ordering tea at the start of their BossBattle. Her console story mode begins with a cup of tea, and ends with [[spoiler:the same]] one in her Ragna Ending.

* ''Anime/KillLaKill:'' Satsuki Kiryuin, heiress of the REVOCS Corporation and the mastermind of Honnouji Academy and the AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil that runs it, often has her butler have a pot of tea at the ready for when she relaxes. All throughout the series, she compliments her butler for the deliciousness of the tea, but near the end of the series, reveals that she really doesn't think it's all that special, but continued to compliment her butler for the sake of it.* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'':

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'':

* {{Roleplay/IDROCR}}: Everyone drinks tea -- most notably Ludger, Mei, Yumiko, and Sora -- but others share in it if it is presented to them. Yes, this is a very classy cast.

Whether it's a group of [[BritsLoveTea Victorian-esque ladies and gentlemen]] sipping their afternoon tea out of fancy silverware while taking bites from several courses of finger foods and desserts, or the elaborate ceremonies performed by accomplished masters garbed in expensive-looking kimonos, the very practice of tea drinking is presented as a sign of wealth and privilege -- contrasting the "working-class" coffee.

Whether it's a group of [[BritsLoveTea Victorian-esque ladies and gentlemen]] sipping their afternoon tea out of fancy silverware while taking bites from several courses of finger foods and desserts, or the elaborate ceremonies performed by accomplished masters garbed in expensive-looking kimonos, the very practice of tea drinking is presented as a sign of wealth and privilege--contrasting the "working-class" coffee.

* {{Roleplay/IDROCR}}: Everyone drinks tea--most notably Ludger, Mei, Yumiko, and Sora--but others share in it if it is presented to them. Yes, this is a very classy cast.

* ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'': Celestia Ludenberg is actually a Japanese girl named Taeko Yasuhiro who puts on airs of being an elegant, gothic European woman. She resents people finding out that gyoza is her favorite food, since she goes around telling people it's tea.

* ''VideoGame/DragonFableFalconreach'': As a elegant, noble lady, Celestia is extremely find of tea.

* ''Videogame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' allows the player character to invite others to a tea party to increase their RelationshipValues. To enable the Tea Party social activity, the player needs to complete a side-quest given by Ferdinand von Aegir to find a fellow tea connoisseur worthy of the rare tea set he's giving away, with that person being Lorenz Hellman Glouecester. Both are aristocratic characters who take the most pride in their noble status, and have tea as their particular likes.

* ''WesternAnimation/BlessTheHarts'': Lower middle-class Jenny and Betty try to drink hot tea to feel more sophisticated. The spit it out, with Betty calling it "garbage water" and Jenny wondering why anyone would drink it instead of sweet iced tea.

* ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad'': In "Tea Time for Time Squad", the team go to 1776 for the Boston Tea Party, where the Colonists are supposed to toss shipments of tea into the harbor to protest unfair taxes. Only they find them having a ''literal'' tea party while wearing powdered wigs and acting all sophisticated, not willing to resort to violence. It's only when they switch to drinking coffee that the Colonists turn into {{Fratbro|s}} and begin the American Revolution as intended.

A SubTrope of DrinkBasedCharacterization (in which tea reflects the drinker's prestige) and obviously a SisterTrope to the aforementioned WineIsClassy. See also BritsLoveTea, where tea is used as a {{National Stereotype}}s than a sign of class.

A subtrope to DrinkBasedCharacterization (in which tea reflects the drinker's prestige) and obviously a sister trope to the aforementioned WineIsClassy. See also BritsLoveTea when tea is used as a NationalStereotypes than a sign of class.

!!Examples

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Film -- Animated]]

[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]

[[folder:Video Game]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': Lola is the most posh of the Loud siblings, and she is commonly seen drinking tea, often while role-playing as a wealthy noblewoman.