Brits divided over viral TikTok tea time alarm that is pranking Americans

Luke Alsford

Published March 20, 2025 2:04pm Updated March 20, 2025 2:58pm

Brits across the country dream of their mid afternoon tea time break.

Now it seems we are all forced to have a brew whenever a daily nationwide alarm sounds.

This is all according to a new viral trend, which the UK Government, Royal Palaces and high street chains have all endorsed.

It all appears to be a prank on gullible Americans, instilling fear that tea-loathing tourists might even be fined if they skip the alarm.

UK Government and Royal Family lying to Americans on TikTok about a British ?tea time alarm? — John Lewis shared a video of their employees apparently reacting to the tea time alarm
(Picture: Emily Manley)

Metro has spoken to Brits who love the sound of a mandatory tea time break, and a few who think it’s nuts.

The tea time alarm, reminiscent of an air raid siren, appears to go off at 3pm every day, according to the over 4 million TikTok posts on the topic.

The blaring siren is a signal for Brits to pause in their tracks and drink a cup of English tea.

Brits in on the ploy have reported up to £80 fines and needing exemption cards for specific circumstances.

Baffled Americans have had their concerns compounded by verified accounts joining in on the tea time alarm trend.

The UK Government’s official TikTok has posted a string of videos on the alarm, showing the button which ministers press to trigger the alarm.

Blenheim Palace, home of the Dukes of Marlborough, has also posted videos showing staff running to get tea with a siren whirring in the background.

John Lewis, Greggs, Aldi and dozens of other brands have followed suit and joined the trend.

Capital presenter Niall Gray has also unveiled video of the tea time alarm going off while he was in the studio.

Metro spoke to a pair of British students who found the idea of a tea-time alarm hilarious, but also plausible.

Inez, 20, said: ‘If it means I’d get a break I’d love to! It would be brilliant for an alarm to tell me to have a tea break.’

Friend Yasmeen, 21, added: ‘There are other cultures in the world where people take mid afternoon breaks, so I don’t see why we couldn’t.’

Two international students studying in London agreed that Brits could do with a daily tea alarm, even if it was unrealistic.

Jack said the trend was ‘very funny and very British.’

‘British people love their tea, they are very posh,’ he added.

Buddy Eric said: ‘What about security concerns? If there is a terror attack while the alarm going off, that wouldn’t work.

‘Even though tricking Americans is a good idea.’

Retired couple Trevor and Claire, were skeptical about the social media joke.

Claire told Metro: ‘It wouldn’t work. It would be annoying if my phone told me when to drink tea, it is bad enough my phone telling me when to go to bed.

She joked: ‘Maybe the government will roll it out in time for April Fools day.’

Trevor, in his seventies, added: ‘I think more people are drinking coffee now anyway.

‘It is a bit of fun, but I don’t know why the Government is posting about it.’

A family of American tourists in London were less than impressed with the viral prank at their expense.

Olivia, 17, a New Yorker in London with relatives, said: ‘Americans do think Brits drink a lot of tea, but we wouldn’t believe there was a teatime alarm.

‘If that alarm went off in the US we’d think it was a bomb!’

Some Americans have appeared fooled online, however.

TikToker Melissa took to the platform to ask for clarification with how the alarm system works.

‘What I am really intrigued about is tea time. What exactly happens at tea time?’

‘When they ring the bell and you are walking the streets, do you just stop everything you are doing and drink tea right there?’