I love Sunday mornings. I always make a big pot of tea--flavored tea, for the weekend--and listen to some classic tunes like Ella Fitzgerald singing Cole Porter, or Frank Sinatra singing anything, or a little Peggy Lee. And if I've planned ahead, I might even have some fabulous baked goods to round out my morning--this morning I have some yummy lemon-blueberry oatmeal muffins with my spice tea.
Sunday mornings always seem like a pause in a busy week--a time to reflect on the past week, plan for the following week, and just take a breath. When I was working at my last job, it was always the last bit of fun and relaxation before the Sunday evening blues set in, but now it's just my time to think about what I'm doing before acting on it all week.
I think a big part of the meditative feeling I get is from making and drinking my pot(s) of tea. As many others have pointed out, just the activity of making tea gives you time to slow down and reflect while it's brewing. And yes, I may be a Godless infidel who doesn't go to church every week, but I think that many years of going to church instilled in me a need to take time out on Sunday for contemplation.
So, what am I contemplating this week, you might ask? I'm trying to figure out how I could translate that Sunday-morning feeling into the overall atmosphere of my tea shop. I'd like my tea shop to be a place where people can take time out from their busy lives and relax. Whether that's reading a book with a cup of tea, chatting with a friend over tea and scones, or getting together for a small celebration, I'd like to have a place where people could come and take a break.
I've talked to quite a few people about what a tea shop would mean to them, and even though most have a slightly different view of exactly what the details are, everyone seems to be looking for a relaxing spot with a feeling of community and welcome. So, if anyone is out there reading this, I ask: what would you look for in a tea shop (tea room, tea cafe, whatever you want to call it)? Inquiring minds want to know!
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2 months ago
Hi, Nancy. You've caught me off guard so I'll have to think a bit more about it, but I must say, ever since I married a Brit, I began to understand "afternoon tea" oh, and, of course, "high tea" etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that afternoon tea means to me is stopping whatever you're doing--whatever is going on around you--and having a sit down to relax and reflect and contemplate and ignore the madness around you for a few minutes. It's not an easy thing to do in our world these days, but I think it's a very important thing to do. Many old and even ancient cultures have been doing it since long before the "new world" was even a glimmer in some explorer's eye.
The demise of the "coffee break" in American business took it from being something to give everyone a moment to catch their breath and reflect and relax, so they could be more functional, to a twice a day, for hourly workers only, mandated reprieve when workers are allowed to go to the loo, get a drink of water and make their "one phone call".
I've been fortunate enough to enjoy "tea" in Britain, Japan, India and a few other places and its really so much more than a few minutes off the leash. I is really a way to maintain wholeness--health and sanity in what is often neither sane nor healthy world we find ourselves in today.
Immigrants came here to America to escape the some of the problems in other places and cultures but I think our ancestors were so eager to rid themselves of the bad baggage that they forgot to hold fast some of the wonderful things that their cultures had to offer. Many traditions have been lost that way. I think more people are realizing that many of the traditions that have deep roots are not meaningless and superficial. They became traditions for a reason. We all need to explore those and adapt them to our lives.
Tea has deep roots in many cultures for so many reasons. Mental health is one (taking a break and time to reflect and learn) socialization (spending time with others is important) and even diplomacy (world leaders can use tea time for discussion and negotiation) health (many teas have healing properties) or fun (serving and eating the delicious treats you've made) and sustenance (turning it into a full meal).
Was that TMI? A little vague, perhaps, as an answer to your question. I'll work on it...
Maybe a little TMI...I think your comment was longer than my post! :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I can extrapolate a bit: it sounds like you're looking for a place where tea traditions are honored, but adapted for our society and way of living. A place to be able to enjoy a "tea break", whether that is just a few minutes to sit and relax, or a more social experience.
Did I sum it up correctly?
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ReplyDeleteActually, as long as the adaptation to our lifestyle is not to offer a drive-through for people who are going to drink tea whilst driving, texting, watching a movie, reading a book and either doing their makeup or shaving. That's right out!
ReplyDeleteI've been mulling over this for a while...I'm still not sure what in particular would get me into a tea shop, but because I'm a tea neophyte, once I was inside, I wouldn't want to feel intimidated. Talking about "tea traditions" scares me a little. I agree with you--it should be a place where people can feel comfortable taking the time to relax with tea, whether it's for ten minutes or three hours. Then, once you have them there, give them the opportunity to go deeper if they want to--or not. So, I guess to start with, it would need to feel like a mini-vacation. Sorry if this doesn't make sense, it's early in the morning!
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