Tea shop bars biscuit dunkers

Brighton, England -- The owner of a Brighton, England, tea shop has gained a reputation for kicking out customers who clang spoons, use cell phones or dunk biscuits in his shop.

David Daly, proprietor of the Tea Cosy Rooms, requires customers to follow strict rules of etiquette that also bar them from putting their elbows on tables, insulting the queen, handling sugar cubes, sipping from teaspoons and pointing their little fingers up while drinking, The Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

"I am just keen to teach people of the joys of a civilized cup of tea," Daly said.

"People have to obey the rules in my tea rooms and if not they are asked to leave," he said.

"It is the art of tea drinking -- this is not going to Starbucks with a mug of coffee."

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.