A viral online trend showing people dropping everything to make a cup of tea prompted by a blaring alarm has been described as "quintessential" British humour, but has left Americans confused.The trend began as a prank to play on people in the US, suggesting there was a daily siren known as the "tea time alarm", reminding the British public to make a brew, and poking fun at the stereotype that Britons all love the hot beverage.

A viral online trend showing people dropping everything to make a cup of tea prompted by a blaring alarm has been described as "quintessential" British humour, but has left Americans confused.The trend began as a prank to play on people in the US, suggesting there was a daily siren known as the "tea time alarm", reminding the British public to make a brew, and poking fun at the stereotype that Britons all love the hot beverage.