“What isss this???”

My neighbor, old Bertie from England, was back from her trip. During her absence, my wife and I had thoroughly cleaned her apartment, a decision we took spontaneously after having peeked inside.

After the surprise, self-satisfied and smiling, I put a tea tray on the table. Immediately, Bertie’s facial expression changed from benevolent astonishment to deep shock: “I have nevvver! Evvver! Seen annnything! Like thisss! Befooore!”

She was struggling to find words that expressed her disgust.

“Hot water? Served in cups? With teabags on the side!! Is this how you serve tea??? What aaare you thinking???”

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    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Hehe! I’m thoroughly unBritish in my tea-making. One mug, add small dribble of milk, chuck in teabag, add boiling water, splash teabag around until required colour achieved (not too weak, not too many bones!), remove teabag and enjoy – unless I’m very well involved with writing or gaming, then the mug gets chucked in the microwave for a one minute blasting to warm it back up at least three times before finally… Read more »

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    1 year ago

    Christer, I enjoyed your funny story. As a Brit, I can see why Bertie was so horrified by the tea making.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    1 year ago

    I don’t know which is funnier, Christer’s story, or Carrie’s comments! Making tea for one person is always going to be different, isn’t it? But Carrie, if you are entertaining guests, do you have a teapot brewing? I’d love to hear from all the other Brits on this extremely important topic. ?

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Fuji
    1 year ago

    No, Fuji, I’m a complete heathen. Every person gets their own individual dunked teabag, brewed to their individual preferences. When I visit my mum and dad, they use a teapot, but their tea tastes more like it’s had socks brewed than tea, so I always take my own teabags and dunk as normal ?

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    1 year ago

    As a Brit, I know I should be a tea lover but I’ve always been more of a coffee person myself, Christer. But I do know how fastidious the English can be about their cuppa so Bertie’s response wasn’t too much of a surprise! A fun story with a memorable character. I hope we hear more of British Bertie!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, Christer. This story is something unforgettable. I am not a tea lover but I really enjoyed the tea-making and instructions in your story and the comment section. Well done.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    1 year ago

    You are welcome, Christer. Wow! Thanks for educating me on their traditional way of tea making and drinking tea, Christer. I appreciate it so much.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    1 year ago

    It is much better to say “a cuppa”. I love it. Thank you, Christer.

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