Tally ho! A full explanation of the British Tea Time alarm that’s confusing TikTok right now

Being British means harbouring an unspoken loyalty to Yorkshire puddings, tea, and complaining about the weather. But on top of all that, we also have elite humour. If there’s one thing the Americans can’t beat us on, it’s our dedication to the bit. So as a Brit, watching the newest batch of Americans discover the legendary British Tea Time alarm is peak entertainment for me.

You’re either in on the joke or you’re just as confused as the Yankees, but it’s unlikely you’re unaware of the concept that’s once again going viral online right now.

So, here’s what the British Tea Time alarm means and why it’s confusing the internet so much

A number of videos are being shared on TikTok explaining the British Tea Time alarm, what it is and when it goes off. The supposed tea alarm is meant to be a nationwide daily ritual where the whole of the UK sits down to drink tea together at the same time, at around 3pm.

Some users have shown viewers what the alarm tower looks like, whilst others explained the penalties for not drinking tea when the alarm goes off and how much they’ve been fined for not complying.

@imjoshfromengland2

Wait for it… 👀 Heres something we do in the U.K. 🇬🇧☕️

♬ original sound – imjoshfromengland2

But although it sounds legit, the British Tea Time alarm is nothing more than a prank and a pipeline dream right now. Created by Brits to confuse Americans, the whole premise is nothing more than a nationwide joke.

Understandably, it’s led to a lot of confusion online but mainly from the Americans, who can’t seem to get their heads around the whole thing. And although it sounds quintessentially British, it’s just not a real thing (unfortunately).

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I personally think the most impressive part of the plot is how us Brits managed to set aside our rivalries and regional divides and come together to pull this off. You know what they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend and all of that.

Comments on a number of videos are absolutely hilarious too, as we all wordlessly keep up the facade and share our own British Tea Alarm “experiences”.

@laurensarahlife

♬ original sound – Lauren Sarah Life

One influencer, Lauren, used her platform to educate Americans and other non believers about the alleged alarm, saying in a video: “It’s been brought to my attention that Americans are only just finding out about the Tea Time alarm and lots of them think it’s fake.”

She explained that a number of common questions Americans have about the alarm include how old Brits need to be to participate.

Discussing how a lot of Americans ask how old Brits need to be to participate, Lauren said: “About 12, because that’s how old you are when you’re kind of able to start drinking small amounts of caffeine.”

She added how the alarm goes off at “about 3 o’clock, ish.”

“It’s not actually on the dot which really can throw you off, and like every area has a local tea time tower. Mine’s kind of far away so I actually have to kind of listen for it.”

Lauren even went as far to explain what happens if you’re not drinking tea when the alarm goes off, or what Brits who don’t like tea do. She said: “You get a big fat fine. I’m yet to have one in my life, I’m sorry, I’m scared of prison.”

Comments on the video passed the vibe check, too. One viewer wrote: “It went off so ate today! I was panicking I missed it”.

Another, Tariye, claimed she was “reported by a neighbour for having coffee” while someone else warned “Guys remember the tea time fine is going up in April.”

Whilst some British people completely missed the joke, enough people are in on it to keep it going for a while yet, until the next batch of unknowing Americans stumble upon the joke.

Ah, peak British humour.

Featured image via TikTok