To say something to the waitress about my tea not having boiling water poured on the teabag?

[MirandaGoshawk]

In a cafe mid-morning with a friend. I ordered tea and when she brought it over it was a mug of hot water with a wrapped teabag on the side. I was so surprised that I said "Oh no, that's not the way to make tea!" (I mean you get used to it like that abroad, but not in the UK!) The waitress was young and said, "Am I supposed to put the teabag in the cup and then pour on boiling water?" When I said yes, she said that she'd remember that next time I came in.

But my friend said it doesn't matter and I shouldn't have said anything - to mention it was rude. What do you think? My instinct is that they serve it like that so that you can see the teabag wrapped, so you know what you're getting.

There is when you're a working in a cafe and the "something new" is how to make a cup of tea??

Personally I chart the demise of Britian's greatness to the decline in the use of tea pots. Tea made in the mug or cup is rank and scummy and I hate it. I'd rather have a coffee than tea made in the mug

Hmm. It would not occur to me to order tea and have to say "Can you put the teabag in first and then pour on boiling water please". Doesn't that sound a bit patronising?

I expect it to be made as it's always been made! I have tea out probably once a fortnight and this is only the second time it's happened to me. (The first time - different cafe - I was so stunned and it was a fancy teabag and the waitress was rushed off her feet that I didn't say anything as thought it was a one-off cafe and wouldn't go back there.)

I agree that putting the teabag in first then the hot water seems 'correct' and it's how i would do it, but I know of one coffee company who is responsible for the training and maintenance of many chains who will say to put the water in the teapot and the bag on top so as not to stew too long (no such thing in my eyes!)
I ignore this if I'm honest and still do bag then water but I wouldn't find it patronising at all if a customer just asked to me to put it in before/after/or even on the side of the saucer (which is more common than you'd think). As far as I'm concerned, you're paying for your tea and if you're getting it how you like it then that's all that matters to me.

I think the waitress was nice to ask your preference for return visits.

imsoverytired I've got the Brownie Tea Maker badge! Thankyou for the reminder.

OP, YANBU at all.

I recently had a tea problem at Hotel Du Vin.. lovely breakfast with a teapot of tea.. one of those ones with an internal cafetiere thing if you know what I mean. The leaf tea goes in the internal bit and the hot water swooshes through and brews the tea without getting leaves in the water.

Sounds good eh? NO. As they had put a TEABAG in there.

I never make a fuss but I did send that back