Fabulous collection of post-7th July quotes
From Steve's Random and Often Belligerent Journal. Includes this highlight:
'When the news reporter said "Shopkeepers are opening their doors bringing out blankets and cups of tea" I just smiled. It's like yes. That's Britain for you. Tea solves everything. You're a bit cold? Tea. Your boyfriend has just left you? Tea. You've just been told you've got cancer? Tea. Coordinated terrorist attack on the transport network bringing the city to a grinding halt? TEA DAMMIT! And if it's really serious, they may bring out the coffee. The Americans have their alert raised to red, we break out the coffee. That's for situations more serious than this of course. Like another England penalty shoot-out'
'When the news reporter said "Shopkeepers are opening their doors bringing out blankets and cups of tea" I just smiled. It's like yes. That's Britain for you. Tea solves everything. You're a bit cold? Tea. Your boyfriend has just left you? Tea. You've just been told you've got cancer? Tea. Coordinated terrorist attack on the transport network bringing the city to a grinding halt? TEA DAMMIT! And if it's really serious, they may bring out the coffee. The Americans have their alert raised to red, we break out the coffee. That's for situations more serious than this of course. Like another England penalty shoot-out'
posted by Rachel at 1:36 pm
I do love tea, however, when the alert is raised here in the U.S., most people I know tend to pull out something a little more potent, with a very high alcohol content... ;)
Personally, I hit the whisky if it is a major crisis. But I have never drunk so much tea as I have since July
I'm a firm believer in tea. part of it is the ritual of making it though. It's more effective if you make a proper pot, rather than just dipping a tea-bag. I think in many ways it's a little mini-meditation, by concentrating on making tea you take yourself away from your longer term concerns for a minute or two. And of course there's the side-benefit of ending up with a hot drink ;-), and you can do it even if your knees won't let you sit cross-legged.
It's also something normal to do, something that you know how to handle, which when everything is getting too much can be important.
And if someone else makes you a cuppa, well, then it's a silent way of saying they care. Without requiring you to say anything or them to say anything.
Of course, it's also hot, non-fattening (if you don't take sugar), and tasty! :-)