Tuesday 20 January 2015

Conversation and Tea

January 20/15

You just got a text or a phone call from your neighbor down the street, or maybe your co-worker who "just happens to be in your area", and would like to drop in. It's 2 pm, too soon for supper and too late for lunch and custom dictates you offer her or him a beverage. ( Sorry, didn't mean for it to sound like Sheldon Cooper!)

What to do??  I'm  assuming that you asked me what I would do.... we are, after all,  Besties.    "Well", I'd say, "put the kettle on and get the tea cups out".



If you're still reading, then you are probably thinking about your mother or grandmother, and wondering "do people still do that"? Although far from an expert, I have, over the course of many years, served tea to a very large number of people, before we settled down for a chat.

Holding a vessel of hot tea, of  any kind, seems to put us on a common and comfortable level with each other. There is, however, a great controversy.... OK,not so great... but a definite preference, for the type of vessel that is preferred.

There is an accumulation of tea cups and saucers in my china cabinet that seldom feel the warmth of a hot beverage. The reasons for this vary but it boils down (pun intended) to preference, as stated above. I've heard it said they are "too fancy". Whenever someone shares time and food or drink with me, THAT is special and deserves "fancy", in my humble opinion.




Others prefer the oft used mug. These will certainly do the job with the greatest of ease. Larger, easy to hold...and  will warm your hands on cold days, and definitely not considered delicate. If that would be your preference, "fill 'er up"!

I tend to stick to my old stand-by when unsure. Glass mugs - seem to provide the best of both worlds.

The whole point of this is that sharing  conversation.... real conversation, where your vocal cords get a work out and not your thumbs or fingers.... is important.  People are choosing to spend some of life's precious moments with you,  discussing what is important to them at that time.  Enhance this time,whether celebrating, comforting, or just plain chit chat,with a hot cup of tea  or beverage of your choice. Oh, yes...... Enjoy!



26 comments:

  1. Nice pictures, I actually would like a cup of tea just about now.

    Thanks you !

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    1. Would love it if you dropped in for a "cuppa,Jay. Tea is on and hot!

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  2. Sweet post! I am in the UK and its automatic that no matter what time you visit you will be offered tea. So true about making conversations better and tea really can do that =)

    Dropping by from http://pixiedusk.livejournal.com/337309.html

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    1. Hi Pixiedusk. You are so right, it is always "tea time"!

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  3. Lovely post about my favorite beverage, tea. I like the china cups and saucers, probably because I have a cabinet full of them but I'm beginning to enjoy the lovely glass mugs that are out there. My tea tastes so much better in a pretty cup/mug :)

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    1. Thanks Lilly's Mom. Sometimes it's the everyday things that we can use to feel special.... and I agree it does taste better in a "special" cup.

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  4. I love good conversations with real people. A cup of hot tea would be nice too!

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    1. So are so right, Cascia, we need to spend more "face to face" time where we really can 'reach out and touch someone! Tks for dropping by.

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  5. I love the top photo the cups are wonderful!!! I have taken a liking to tea since I was sick in December!

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    1. I have to admit I need my coffee first thing in the morning,Karren, but for a calming moment nothing beats tea... for me. Hope you are feeling better.

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    2. Hi Patricia, Im doing great, thank you. I love trying new teas, but right now enjoying Earl Gray, love the aroma!! HAve a great day!!! If you have not had a chance to visit would love for you to stop by.....
      http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/wordless-wednesday-36/

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  6. I love when people drop by and always offer them coffee, my beverage of choice, but if they want tea, I have that, too.

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    1. I must admit, Jenn, coffee is my "go-to"....nah it is a MUST, first thing in the morning, but after that it is pretty much a tea thing. If you stop by then I'll have coffee for sure!

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  7. I always use old fashioned teacups on a saucer! I love them.

    Momfever

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    1. That is so nice to hear, Nicole. I think I will start using them more too. Tks for stopping by.

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  8. I have several nests of tea cups on the top most difficult to reach area of our cupboard. It is so sad, they are so pretty not sure why I don't dig them out and use them more often. Tea certainly seems to taste better in a pretty cup.
    I agree that tea is comforting. There is nothing quite like curling up on the couch with a nice cup of tea and good conversation.
    Your pictures are fabulous. The cups and saucers are so delicate and the last photo makes me want to reach in and grab a steaming cup!
    (PS Love the Sheldon reference!}

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    1. I don't know what it is, Monica, that makes us so hesitant to use good china. Perhaps it might be that we were raised to "keep good things for good" the way our parents did. I now feel that if "we" don't use them they will be lost or never used by the enviable "next generation. Let's make a point of "having tea" soon.

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  9. Monica, you know I am addicted to coffee to jump start my day, but enjoy relaxing with tea during the afternoon.I/we need to try and be good to ourselves sometime and drinking from a tea cup does that for me.
    Thanks for your compliments, I really appreciate them.

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  10. My friends and I love to have tea and chatter! and we tend to use big mugs!

    http://www.homeofohm.com/2015/01/wordlesswednesday-peek-at-my-week-0121.html

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    1. Hi OHM, that's great to hear. That's the beauty of choices... the important thing is you are chatting with friends and enjoying life. Tks for dropping by.

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  11. You linked this to The Imaginary Garden With Real Toads. We are a poetry site and this isn't poetry.

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    1. Sorry, Fireblossom, my intent was to be able to read some of the poetry on your site as I enjoy it. Please delete my link and I will do the same. '-(

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  12. Thank you for the lovely piece. It is so well written and brought back memories for me. My Mom wouldn't drink her tea from anything but a cup and saucer. I must admit I didn't follow through. I mostly use a pottery cup for my tea. Recently I gave a few of my cups and saucers to my daughter and her 6 year old loved them. She uses them to drink from all the time. I remember cups and saucers used to be the gift of choice for wedding showers, back in the day. I need to come have a cup of tea with you soon my dear friend. Or as my Aunt used to say "would shall have a cuppa tea."

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    1. Oh, Carole, so nice to read your delightful comments. There definitely is a nostalgia involved in using tea cups. I would be delighted and honored to have you stop by for "a cuppa" as my aunt as well, said.

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  13. Loved your post - thanks for sharing! :)
    Happy Wordless Wednesday!

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  14. I love the tea cups in the first picture, so pretty. I have to say, when I have tea, I end up having it in a mug, though my mother (who grew up in England) would probably be horrified.

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