“In Ireland, you go to someone’s house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you’re really just fine. She asks if you’re sure. You say of course you’re sure, really, you don’t need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don’t need a ting. Well, she says then, I was going to get myself some anyway, so it would be no trouble. Ah, you say, well, if you were going to get yourself some, I wouldn’t mind a spot of tea, at that, so long as it’s no trouble and I can give you a hand in the kitchen. Then you go through the whole thing all over again until you both end up in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting.
In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don’t get any damned tea.
I liked the Irish way better.”
~ C.E. Murphy, Urban Shaman
It was a very successful day yesterday. We got plenty of planning done, and my whiteboard calendar for 2015 filled up with dates, events and holidays.
We worked right through the morning; Dana, Ben and I.
But the afternoon?
The afternoon, and then the evening, was devoted to friends. Visitors who popped in to say hi, have a hug and a catch-up chat, and of course, a cup of tea. It turned into an endless stream of people
By day’s end we had drunk good old-fashioned Bushell’s tea, peppermint tea, Melbourne Breakfast, Flutteryby Kisses, Roasted Dandelion, Genmaicha, and chai.
There was not a clean mug or a teacup left in the entire household.
The Christmas fruitcake is demolished.
We have nothing but crumbs in the biscuit tin.
This morning I have a mountain of washing up. And I couldn’t be happier!
Life is meant for friendship, cups of tea and tasty gatherings.
lol,
I remember the first time my Irish mother went on holidays abroad, the first thing she said when she got back was “for feck sake people are so rude in England. They offer yeh a cuppa and when yeh say no you end up dyin of bloody thirst!!!!.” She couldn’t get over the fact that people took no as your final answer 😉
dirty dishes = good times…GOT IT!
Sounds wonderful and you have inspired me now we have moved to be more social and that means actually getting ti come and visit you 🙂
Sounds great
Sounds great xxx
I second that!
how lovely indeed…certainly was the day for it…nothing like good friends, tea, delicious food & hugs to fill up ones heart and soul…XO
😊❤️
Tea Time! How splendid indeed! And I can’t wait to try out your chai recipe! I’ve been wanting to try making my own for a while now, I think I’m gonna have to take a trip to the market and get my self a mortar! Thanks Nicole!
Great post, Nicole! Crumbs and a mountain of washing up, how lovely. I agree with you that life is meant for friendship, cups of tea and tasty gatherings.
“Life is meant for friendship, cups of tea and tasty gatherings.”
I agree with you.
(I also like the above quote concerning the Irish way vs. the American way. :))