How the Tea Dance Became a Popular British Social Pastime - By: S.Roberts

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Tea Dances became popular for the Young. A tea dance or thé dansant (French: literally dancing tea) is an afternoon or early-evening dance. Having an early afternoon tea dance enabled young wealthy and aristocratic people to become acquainted, whilst being chaperoned.

A new sensational dance arrived in London in 1910. Performed in the Sunshine Girl on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre, the Argentine Tango soon became all the rage and the dance become popular at tea dances. This spurred hotels to host Tea Dances in the afternoon as various dance crazes began to rival the obsession for tea.

Tea gardens were outdoor gardens with flowered walks and music for dancing. Women were permitted to enter a mixed, public gathering for the first time without social criticism. As the gardens were public, British society mixed here freely for the first time, cutting across lines of class and birth.

Tea dances soon also became popular across all the classes.

During world war two tea dances were still being held in village halls. The tea dances were an important part of maintaining morale in the services during the War, and gave people something to look forward to. With the arrival of allied forces in Britain, tea dances once again became a means to meet people, as American solders frequented the local tea dances.

During the later part of the twentieth century, tea dances slipped out of fashion and the swinging sixties and the retro eighties stormed through. However, despite being out of fashion, tea dances still continued with the older generations who remembered the tea dance hay days.

By the end of the twentieth century, when the ever growing waist line of Brittan was forced to the forefront of everyone’s mind, and when reality television shows like ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ were mainstream, tea dances were back on the menu.

Tea Dances were thought to contribute to people having choice and control in their lives, being healthy and active, and feeling they are part of and contributing to the wider community. The tea dances promoted independence and well being, giving people something to look forward to and dress up for, if they wish.

Tea dances are still held in Britain today. Although tea dances are now not really seen as a way for young people to become acquainted as they were during the Victorian times. They are now seen as light hearted fun and a way to keep fit and healthy.

About the Author

S. Roberts writes for http://www.teacosyfolk.co.uk - Tea Cosy Folk are hand crafted tea cosies make from quality yarns to a high standard. Each tea cosy is designed uniquely for the tea cosy folk range. Visit http://www.teacosyfolk.co.uk and vi

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