Wednesday, February 9, 2011

MidWeek Mention - A Spot of Tea?

This week we'd like to draw your attention to a lovely chain of blog posts being done about the English custom of offering tea to house guests.

First the lovely Iota blogged amusingly about the ancient ritual of tea in England, what it means to the giver and the receiver. (Be sure to read both blog posts.)

Then Michelloui, The American Resident in England gave us her perspective as someone not having grown up with the tea thing.

Next Nappy Valley in New York - joined the Tea Party with her thoughts and memories.

For non-Brits, we recommend a read of all three blogs which describe precisely, what tea means to Brits. For Brits, the blogs will bring a smile to your faces and perhaps prompt you to add a comment here or on their blogs.

And the best ever tea cup/mug - one which holds the biccies too -

Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

9 comments:

  1. Michelloui | The American ResidentFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Thanks for the shout out--really pleased you enjoyed the tea party!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Iota February 10, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    That mug - hilarious!

    Thanks for the mention.

    ReplyDelete
  3. nappy valley girlFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    And thanks from me too....
    I might have to take it back though, I went to an American friend's house yesterday and immediately was offered an incredibly strong cup of tea with milk. And I'm SURE she hasn't been reading the blog....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Expat mumFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    I had to decline the offer of a cuppa the other day as there was no "normal" tea. We had beryy this and calming that, decaf (what's the point) and herbal but no black. Pah!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Natasha in OzFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    That is a brilliant invention!

    Came to visit via Smitten by Britain. Lovely to "meet" you!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brit FancyFebruary 11, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    I posted about my birthday tea last week! http://britfancy.blogspot.com/2011/02/birthday-afternoon-tea.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mrs BaumFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    I read and enjoyed all 3 blog posts, though I am a strange Brit as I can't stand tea. Or instant coffee (someone mentioned that), and I ask visitors if they'd like a drink rather than offering tea/coffee automatically.

    I drink real coffee, fruit tea, green tea sometimes, or cold drinks. I have forced a few cups of British tea down in the past to be polite, and surprisingly it is a good thirst quencher, but if it's either strong, milky or both it makes me want to throw up. Yeuch. And if my husband leaves a half-drunk mug of tea around to go cold - ugh! ugh! ugh! I can't touch it. If I have to move it I half close my eyes and try not to breathe until it's rinsed down the sink.

    See,I definitely need to emigrate...

    ReplyDelete
  8. stevegFebruary 11, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    I am a standard British Northern Male - Good strong(ish) tea at every opportunity - made to "standard NATO" specifications - Hot, strong & Sweet. The term is one recognised and used by all British military forces.

    Being a Yorkshireman, I of course drink "Yorkshire tea" a product of Taylors of Harrogate, but to be honest, I am just as happy with Typhoo or PG Tips.

    My US in-laws recognise my need for tea and have gone to some lengths to purchase an electric kettle, just for my use when visiting (isn't that nice of them?) and always have British tea bags in when they know we are to visit - strangely they don't seem to stock up on Marmite too??

    Coffee is OK - American coffee is way better than OK (Folgers?), but nothing surpasses the refreshment of a nice cup of tea for me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JaneFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I've read all of the posts on tea and loved them all. I live in Italy and had to bring my own kettle with me as they only drink tea when they're ill here so they think I'm a bit odd - oh, and adding milk? they would rather eat that strange spaghetti from a tin then add milk to tea.
    I love that mug, where can I get one?

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)