Tea Wench

I'm getting better about asking, but it was always funny when hubby would whisper, 'You might want to offer him a tea or coffee.' In the States, if I knew a repairman would be there a while I would offer a hot drink in winter or a cold drink in summer. Here, if they are going to be here for five minutes, it seems customary to offer.

On television shows, it seems everyone offers the police drinks if they happen to stop by. Last November there was an incident in our building, and everyone in the building was visited to ask if they'd heard or seen anything. The whole time the officers were here taking our statements I was in such a state wondering if I should offer a drink, I couldn't focus on their questions. I don't forsee another visit from the police, but am just wondering if it is customary to offer them a drink also. I know it is polite and they work hard to keep us safe. I just don't want to be thought of as possibly bribing them with kindness.

It got to the point where he had to quit selling it because of it took and the amount of tea/coffee he was taking in... He said when hed refuse a cuppa, people would look weird at him and then not order again....

I have learned to politely refuse any offers of tea because I will never get anything done.

For example, when I go the hairdressers, they always offer me a cup of tea while I wait. No, just cut my hair and get it done so I can get on with the rest of my day!

No one seems to be offended by it.

I'm not a salesperson, though.


ETA: I would think that police officers would be too busy to stop for multiple cups of tea. And people make fun of American cops and donuts.

For example, when I go the hairdressers, they always offer me a cup of tea while I wait. No, just cut my hair and get it done so I can get on with the rest of my day!

I love having a nice relaxing cup of herbal tea at the hairdresser's while I'm waiting for the colour to do its thing. I'm there for longer than just a quick cut, so I might as well have something at the same time. They have sherry or port at Christmas, and I really like that! The place I used to go to in Wales always gave you a glass of cava. Oh, how I miss that.

I'm getting better about asking, but it was always funny when hubby would whisper, 'You might want to offer him a tea or coffee.'

He couldn't ask himself 

They have sherry or port at Christmas, and I really like that! The place I used to go to in Wales always gave you a glass of cava. Oh, how I miss that.

Oh that sounds great!

He couldn't ask himself

He knows how to make it. It is just getting him to.  His 'reason' is I make it so much better than he does.

I think I was given four cups of coffee at the hairdresser the one time I have been while here. My MIL and I went together, me for a cut and her for a cut and color. We were there four hours, and they kept bringing the drinks. I was only offered the first one, and the other three just appeared. It was a nice gesture, but when you are stuck sitting still it is hard to drink that many without having to excuse yourself.

He knows how to make it. It is just getting him to.  His 'reason' is I make it so much better than he does.

Oh well good on ya for making a proper cuppa then    So many of us struggle with that- I think we've had threads on how to make good tea!

I've always loved hot tea, so I've had loads of practice with it. Coming from Indiana, we had iced tea all year, but still enjoyed loads of hot tea in winter. When people come to visit here and see me with iced tea they tend to look confused or act like I ruined some perfectly good tea. 

Aw.. I miss Iced Tea..  I was here on a visit before Hubby and I got married, I forgot that Iced Tea isn't just automatically on the menu here. I ordered it and the poor waiter looked shocked at me.. "uh, you want your tea cold?" It took him and the bartender 20 minutes to make me Iced Tea from scratch.

I only ever have it at home. The only place I have seen it on the menu is McDonald's. I'm used to it being self serve in the States and I put about an inch of the sweet and fill the cup with unsweet. I'm not sure I could explain that concept to the person behind the counter, or if they even offer both.

Funny story about the confusion and chaos you caused. It is amazing how something that seems so simple and common is nearly unheard of in other places.

I felt bad!  The look of panic on their faces... Needless to say I left a large tip!

I'll be alright in the UK -- I hate iced tea  Now, iced coffee is another matter.

Last time I was in England, I had a bit of a hangover and really wanted an iced passion tea from Starbucks. I was very disappointed to find out that they don't do iced tea and don't even carry passion tea hot. Ended up with some sort of fruity tea-based frapuccino, which wasn't bad. Definitely don't know how I'm going to survive without iced coffee, it's definitely my caffeine conduit of choice!

Definitely don't know how I'm going to survive without iced coffee, it's definitely my caffeine conduit of choice!

I have it every day in the summer. I make up a big jug of strong black coffee and keep it in the fridge.

Loads of places do iced coffees (since being converted to coffee upon moving to the UK, I intake it in a variety of ways and would probably do it via IV if it was offered).  They probably just offer a different variety from what you are used to.  It seems like you've already chalked it up to different strokes for different countries though and hopefully you'll find something you like here.   

To clarify, I'll really miss getting iced brewed coffee I don't have to make at home. I dunno, I just rarely seem to make coffee at home. I know Starbucks or whatever makes iced latte/espresso drinks but it's not quite the same. Make a bunch of shots over ice with just a little bit of water would work.