AIBU to ask why a cup of tea is supposed to make everything seem better? (a lighthearted AIBU)

[TakingTimeOut]

I've had a rough couple of weeks and while at DH's parents I was talking to MIL about the situation and how stressed out it's made me. She said she had the perfect remedy - a nice cup of tea. 'It makes everything seem better."

It just made me chuckle because I hear that expression often - TV being one.

Anyone else hear the expression much? I wish it were bloody true.

I think it is true that Americans don't know how to make tea, generally -- I'm American and I don't know how. I mean, I make tea sometimes, but I just boil the water and then plop a tea bag into a mug, which is probably not very skillful. I do have an electric kettle but that is b/c I like coffee very very much and prefer to make instant.

I would offer both coffee and tea to you if you were upset. I think the ritual of having it done for you it is comforting.

From what I've observed of British people, they just boil the kettle and plop the bag into the mug, then pour boiling water over the bag.

So, I don't think you're doing it wrong, KeatsiePie!

It's true that Americans don't do electric kettles. I'm sure they exist, but they're not standard in every home like they are over here. I think it may come down to a couple of things. One, Americans don't make constant cups of hot beverages. Two, I don't think the economics of heating water are as pressing to Americans. Bunging a kettle onto a burner works fine for when it's needed.

We also don't have electric showers, which are one thing about British plumbing that I think is far superior. They almost make up for the lack of mixer taps! Seriously - what's not to love about a shower with endless hot water supply, and that can be left set to the exact temperature you like?

I only plonk a teabag in a mug (and I have soya milk in tea, god knows what kind of heathen that makes me). But I guess in my head I am spiritually making a silver pot of piping hot Darjeeling like you get at Fortnums each time.

MadBus

Have never heard of electric showers Katy! Sounds lovely. Also relieved to hear that I won't be embarrassing myself if I ever happen to make tea for an English person.

It's the connotations I think. Especially if it's made by someone else - just nice to think that someone cares for you enough to make a small gesture. And then doing it yourself is a bit like saying that to yourself. It's a bit like a hug I think.

Katy it's because the standard US voltage is lower and thus it would take longer (or the same amount of time) to boil an electric kettle than it would to put one on the stove. Here it's much quicker so we don't bother with the stove.

I wonder how most people make up baby bottles there - would they boil a kettle on the stove or microwave the water?