To think this is so AGEING

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Being over-specific about how you want your hot drink. Don't do it! You can choose milk and/or sugar. That's it. Any further instruction makes you sound like you buy your shoes from an insert in the Telegraph weekend supplement.

'Just dunk the bag and take it out quickly could you?'/'Not too much milk, please'/'just the one sugar, but if you could make it a smallish spoon'/'I prefer a good slug of milk'.

Urgh. Verbal varicose veins.

purplewhale you have summed up entirely why I can not drink blue top milk

What the?! Specific instructions are sometimes necessary. One persons strong tea is another's weak dishwater. Specifics are good. Oh hang on, sod it, I'll make my own.

Because aging is akin to social suicide.

Ridiculous.

There is a very particular type of frustration and upset which comes exclusively with being gasping for a cuppa, and being presented with one (cafe, or well meaning family member or friend) that just isn't quite right. Especially if manners dictate you can't chick it and make a new one.
YABVU.

I'm 35. I have asked for a bit of milk, no sugar and the bag left in for at least 20 years. I'd rather someone thought that was aging than end up with shitty tea.

Worrying-about-whether-something-is-ageing is ageing.

Dictating to guests that they should take their beverage of choice as you do is unseemly. I've gone right orf you, op.

YABU. Why wouldn't you want to make someone a cup of tea/coffee they liked, instead of one that was too strong, too weak, too milky etc? It's not that difficult and it's part of being considerate to your guests.

I've been thinking about this today. I'm junior at my work so I make a lot of tea. There's definitely an age aspect to being particular. And certain types of 'old ladyish' instructions.

To those who are casting serious aspersions on my caring nature, people do generally get the tea the way they ask. It's an observation. I think I t's to do with being easy going or not yet too set in ways or just considerate of someone else getting the tea round.

I had no idea this would prompt such an outpouring.

(And to those posters who are outraged at the mention of something being 'ageing' - have you been on the style and beauty boards...?)

Nigerian sunset here

And to those posters who are outraged at the mention of something being 'ageing' - have you been on the style and beauty boards...?

Quite often. And when I hear that nonsense I tell them not to be so fucking daft.

I'm a Midnight Savannah too!

It's not ageing to be specific about your drinks. It's ageing to shake so much you spill half of it, or to drop your teeth in the mug.

old ladyish instructions?

Hahahah. Although, that is quite shakesist, y'know.

It's Because those young ones don't know how to make a proper cuppa

So we try to be helpful

It's kindness

But should they make it weak or strong? Milky or no? What happens if the wrong person trains them?

Sparkling bloody love that chart.

My mum did welsh tea as she's welsh and according to her it's strong and hot!

She married a brummie and they prefer weak tea, yes yes massive generalisation.

This brummie cannot stand weak milky tea. I am specific and old.

Irritating and ageing are not synonyms.

But at least examples in the opening post are in plain English, not barista-speak.

I grew up in the Birmingham 'burbs and don't like strong tea.

"There's definitely an age aspect to being particular. "

No there friffing isn't. A demanding cow can be any age.

YABU. It's not ageing to be specific. I hate milk so only want a tiny amount in tea, and if I didn't say so everyone would put too much in and I'd find it revolting. So I'd rather be seen as "old" in your eyes than try and neck a milky brew that makes me want to hurl.

You only have to look at a thread about the 'social suicide' that is instant coffee to see that picky is rife and not age dependent.

UHT milk is a big no BTW.

No, I have always been particular about my coffee!

I have however drunk all kinds of shit because I lacked the confidence to tell people it was shit! Now, I have that confidence, so the fussiness does not come with age, but the confidence to express it does!

Giving accurate instructions is not 'ageing', but assertive and knowing what one likes - maybe that ability is a function of experience and maturity?!

And I like mine with a lot of milk, ta.

UHT milk is absolutely fine btw