A takes Tea at the Taj

Good friends R&J from Washington D.C. visited us this weekend.

As a goodbye gift, they treated us to afternoon tea at the 5* Taj Hotel, next to the Boston Public Gardens.

It was all very genteel - and quite British.

We were ushered into a small dining room overlooking Newbury Street.

The room was bedecked with chandeliers, ornate furnishings, and beautiful flower arrangements.

The discreet murmurs of patrons and the serene strummings of a harpist filled the air.

We sat at a table laid with elegant china. Presently the most beautiful miniature sandwiches, scones and delicate cakes arrived on tiered stands. We each had a teapot of loose leaf tea. S had black tea with rose petals, which was the best tea she has ever drunk.

Given the refined atmosphere, we were concerned to keep A quiet enough.

However she was a real star - immaculately behaved, eating morsels of cake like a real lady, and showing her appreciation of the harp music by nodding her head.

Then there was a natural lull in the conversation and a pause from the harp.

At this exact moment, A farted loudly and clearly.

Everyone turned and looked at her.

The Head Waiter came over and said 'I heard that'.

Perhaps there is an etiquette rule somewhere about this kind of situation...