Tea and the world
How Britain keeps carrying on
The flight departing BWI was over an hour late because the crew could not get through traffic. The meals were, uh, interesting. Neither of us ever sleeps well in a folded up parcel known as an airline seat. Getting a taxi at Victoria was a wait while we were hungry and neither of us likes winter cold, much less London’s penetrating icyness. It was not our finest hour…or six of them. Unsurprisingly, the room at our accommodation would be another hour so we decided a walk was in order. At least the lovely fading sunlight proved welcome winter rays. There is little like St. Martin’s in the Field on a pretty day.
We homed in on this cute bake shop on the fringe of Covent Garden where we have bought cupcakes for years but never had tea. The lovely woman with the Continental lilt in her voice took us downstairs to a table.
.
It was not really tea time but we needed something and out of the cold. We each ordered a pot of tea and a scone. The After Five tea was spectacular with bergamot. My husband had Ceylon. The scones were cake rather than short. The strawberry jam was gentle. He was entranced with clotted cream. Suddenly the irritations faded into humorous memories.
I have observed repeatedly that Britain ruled the world because they drink tea. I am serious. Tea, done properly, makes everything ok in a way nothing else does. It forces all to slow down, not take yourself nearly as seriously, and to look around. It tied Britons together in afternoon ritual as Yom Kippur links Jews: shared experience with an understanding of a valued principle. For Britons, tea is that shared afternoon idea of a respite for a few minutes to collect thoughts or provide the only sustenance until morning if that was all available a hundred twenty- five years back.
Tea gives time to gather one’s thoughts in a crisis or a rough patch. It is legal, relatively inexpensive,and celebratory of being alive.
Today’s ritual allowed us to seal an overnight voyage before moving in to a (hopeful) sleep somewhere other than the aforementioned parcel position. I may not stay awake for the meeting I am supposed to call at 2030 because I am fading but the caffeine may be enough.
I definitely am refreshed and thankful. Tea did its usual magic.
No wonder Britain ruled the waves with the nation’s commitment to this eternal ritual. FIN