Afternoon tea time is more of a British tradition. When I lived in India, we always took a tea break in the afternoon. In the USA it is not so common, but I still like to have my afternoon tea with come tea biscuits. There are many different ethnic groups in the United States and each one has its own traditions.

I serve afternoon tea at about 3 or 4 o'clock. The tea must be made in a teapot, of course, and brewed with loose leaf tea. Teabags are NOT really on, my dear! A selection of biscuits and cakes should be available for the guests. I do know people who use teabags, but I doubt I would invite them to MY afternoon tea! Just joking. I think.

It's more of a British tradition, and in the past it was a light meal about 5 o'clock. For the rich folks, it was a delicate little meal of a thin cucumber sandwiches and a piece of cake, served mid-way between lunch and their extravagant dinners late in the evening. For working folks class folks, it was often the last meal of the day. This distinction is still preserved among people of more modest means in some parts of the UK and Ireland, where the evening meal (eaten often no later than 6) is referred to as 'your tea'. These days, 'tea' or 'tea time', as in a break from work, is usually around 3pm or shortly after. When I'm in a meeting at work, we always take a break for 10 minutes or so around 3 for a cup of tea, and maybe a biscuit (cookie). Or cake if you're lucky.

It depends on where you live. Normally, they have an afternoon break for around 30 minutes. They would drink coffe or tea, and have some cookies.