Saturday TeaRoom 7/18/09 Pet Peeves?

[Maitre_Tea]

After hearing people's pet peeves about misuse of terminology, I just remembered my biggest (and tea-related) pet peeve: people not properly understanding the things I'm super hardcore into.

Example:
A: Can I drink *insert fancy tea* with sugar?
Me: No, because we want to enjoy the delicate aroma of the tea, and also because we don't want anything extraneous messing with the tea's original flavor...
A: Yeah, but I don't like that really weird after-taste...
Me: That's called astringency, can't you notice the hui gan?
A: ... That's it, I'm putting some sugar
Me: Ugh! You don't understand! You're not supposed to ... *rant continues*

I use that phrase "You don't understand" whenever the subjects of tea, cooking, and anime are brought up, since I"m usually the one who understands the most.

[MisterPanda]

Me: Ugh! You don't understand! You're not supposed to ... *rant continues*

hmm... in reply to that I would have to say that the words "you aren't supposed to" really don't have a place in the tea world. I mean, the traditional beginnings of tea involve a guy having a random leaf fall in a boiling pot. Since then its all been trial and error. Sure there are traditions (which I love and respect), but there is also something to be said for people trying things above and beyond what a tea taster or connoisseur might say is the "right way".

Personally I put a bit of sugar in my tea, and although I am trying to cut down on that a bit I think it is perfectly reasonable. Isn't it better for someone to drink sweetened tea than no tea at all?

For me, tea is about the enjoyment. The moment. If it takes sugar to do that, go for it. Or honey. Or Brussels sprouts :p

The Dalai Lama once said that because the purpose of religion is to help people, and every person is unique and needs different things, then there should be a different religion for each person. He may have been speaking poetically, but tea should be the same way.

Each person is different, so how can there be a right way? Let's face it, we are taking dead pieces of plants and boiling them. Is there really a "right way" to do that? No, there are simply ways suggested by people who have a bit of knowledge we might not. People who know alot, but not everything.

Enjoy your cup of tea however you can, even with sugar. It is the state of mind with which we drink which makes a good cup of tea or a poor one.

~Ryan

[Maitre_Tea]

For me, tea is about the enjoyment. The moment. If it takes sugar to do that, go for it. Or honey. Or Brussels sprouts :p

Very true, which is why I try to resist the urge to force people to do things my way. It gets harder to take yourself seriously when the people around you don't see the things the way you do, or take things as seriously as you do.
Drinking tea is about enjoyment, and to do things to heighten the experience. I think my attempts to *ahem* "control" my friends is probably my twisted way of having them try things differently, and hope they'll appreciate it.
sometimes I think of my catch-phrase "you don't understand!" and realize that no matter what, it's impossible for people to perceive/understand something exactly the same way as I do, and my friends' behavior becomes more bearable.

[sriracha]

I would have the same urge, Maitre_Tea, but I usually would(if we use your example) say something along the lines of "by all means add sugar, but do try this tea without anything added, even if it's just a sip."

And then I use all my willpower to refrain from commenting when they dump their two lumps in the cup *gnaws table*

[Victoria]

After drawing a blank yesterday, this morning I thought of two very big pet peeves of mine. Of course the driving habits of other people certainly top the list, but the biggest personal peeve is the new "clamshell" packaging. Nothing drives me more crazy than spending 10 minutes trying to get something out of the package. And usually at great risk of injury to myself. I guess there are special scissors on the market now to use with these? So I have to buy sheet metal snippers, or what? I mean really.

Then to those of us without children, how impossible are some child-proof caps?
Ever have a killer headache and not be able to get the aspirin bottle open? That is probably the worst. As your anger and frustration builds, the throbbing intensifies.

I have even had mouthwash bottles I came close to the point of just puncturing and pouring into something else. Yes, as in stabbing with a letter opener!!!

Hummm perhaps this all relates to my non-patience. Maybe I need to add that to the idiosyncrasies. Hrumph!

[depravitea]

Sure, I've got a few...

People who think just because they're old that makes them wise. (It does not btw.)

Strangers who think it's ok to touch my son because he's a cute baby (keep your filthy hands off!)

The close-mindedness of the average Idaho hillbilly. Git r dun.

Double negatives/poor grammar in general.

Is it to broad to say stupidity?

I won't mention religion, because I don't want to loose TC friends or start a fight.

[Siouxie]

One of my biggest "peeves" is the misuse of "fewer" and "less"- prefessionals don't even know the difference- Hear it on ads i.e. "less" carbs or calories.

Tea choice today is Oolong and peaches whirled in a blender with honey - mmmm- slushy, sweet, c o l d