to think it isn't 'attention-seeking' not to drink tea or coffee?

[ruethewhirl]

I've just had this ridiculous accusation levelled at me by an acquaintance (note I didn't say friend). 'But isn't it all just a bit attention-seeking really?' 😬

No. I just don't drink them because I don't like them. Never have. Where's the attention-seeking in that?! I don't even mention it unless it becomes directly relevant i.e. someone offers me a tea or coffee. OK, if I went on about it, or suggested others should follow suit, or got funny when people can't offer me anything to drink/expected hosts to get alternative drinks in for me (not that I've ever been to hers, so maybe she's making assumptions based on other people she's known)... but I don't. I have noticed people sometimes get a bit stressed about this if I'm at their house and they haven't anything else to offer me, but I'm genuinely fine with a glass of water, or a hot chocolate if they have it in, but I'd never expect them to get it specially.

She followed it up with 'Yes, but it's nice to be able to offer your guests a hot drink, isn't it' so maybe she's assuming I don't do that myself when hosting - she's never been to my place - but of course I do! Just because I don't drink something myself doesn't mean I'm not going to make it for other people.

I dunno, I'm not super worked up about it, more curious and mildly irked. It's not the first time people have criticised me for not drinking tea or coffee (I was once called 'childish' over it), and it really baffles me why they would even care. AIBU to think this is just odd and narrow-minded?? 🤔

Course you do. Most boys hate beer but develop a taste for it when they get older. Most kids hate veg but with persuasion end up eating it cos you should.
Its the same with tea and coffee.

Then they need to stop being so controlling that it bothers them what other people don't want to drink

What do you drink? Cartons of Um Bungo?

🤣🤣🤣

Why? I drink both and will offer if people say no why on earth would it bother me?

People are weird

Yes this is good too! It just needs to be a bit more detailed and friendly than a flat 'No thanks'!

I've also had jobs where not only do you absolutely not want a drink there, you have to make an excuse not to sit down "Oh, no thanks, I've been sitting in the car all day, really need to stretch my back out"

😂
Are you from Kerry?
(I heard that capitalised sentence in my great-grandmother's voice...)

But usually you find them being ridiculed on http://old.reddit.com/r/USDefaultism/

Funny! When I was a kid I thought that I'd like coffee once I was a grown up. I obviously haven't grown up (at 48 years old) yet as I still can't stand it. I don't like tea much either, but will occasionally suffer one, as long as it's really milky and sugary to take away the horrid tea taste!

Hot chocolate is ok, I wouldn't make it at home, but the deluxe ones with cream and Marshmallows are great.

If I'm at someone's else I will politely decline tea or coffee and ask for water - usually they'll offer a cordial or fizzy drink, which would be fine.

Why would you do something you don't like, just to fit in?

All grown ups should like tea or coffee.

Even though I know this is a goady post, as a non-coffee drinker, I do sort of agree. I’ve been made to feel like such an oddity, I’ve made sure my young adults kids got a taste for coffee. University definitely helped fuel their taste for it.

I can’t stand tea. It knocked me sick when I had bad morning sickness 30 years ago, and even now a waft of it turns my stomach. I’m sure it would be far more impolite to vomit in a host’s house than it would be to politely refuse the tea and request a glass of water instead?

I am blown away by the people saying its strange or attention seeking or saying you should accept because its polite?!

i don't drink tea or coffee because i dont like them. As i someone who doesnt like banans would eat one, is it such an alien concept that people wouldnt like tea/coffee?

and i almost always reply with “no thank you i dont drink tea/coffee’ because it prevents the inevitable “are you sure?” Or other repeated offerings such as in the workplace.

It's far more polite to accept a refusal than to accept something unwanted
Tea is hardly 'cultural' in the UK, any more than biscuits are

Maybe it’s a newer younger generation thing to not drink as much if any tea or coffee.

Maybe Mary needs to lay off the caffeine the ole dear

🤣🤣

when your a grown up blah blah blah. Damn I’ve three children married with a house. Coffee and tea are rubbish drinks.

It does come across a bit child-like to me. I’ve only ever met one other person who doesn’t drink either tea or coffee. I can’t imagine not enjoying the comfort of the morning’s first cup of tea, it’s heaven.

I can’t imagine needing a hot coffee to start my morning. Bit like people needing a fag. No thank you. I can adult without an upper.

Um Bongo! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Funniest reply to a comment on MN everrrrrr 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

i don't drink tea or coffee because i dont like them. As i someone who doesnt like banans would eat one, is it such an alien concept that people wouldnt like tea/coffee?

Quite simply, yes. Living in Britain you dont routinely get offered a banana but a beverage is par for the course literally anywhere. Only in recent years has water been added to that mix and hilariously a PP above says they dont like water. That's like saying you dont like air.

I understand......picked up fleas four times, you don't wanna hear the rest.......

I wonder what they would say if you offered them something they didn’t like. Saying it ok I will serve it x or y way. You will like it.

I still hate the same veg I hated as a child.

What a weird thing for your friend to say. I don't like tea or coffee either. I make numerous cups of both a week for others. Like you, I don't mention it unless offered, then just say sorry, don't like either. Lots of people think I'm weird and I get lots of jokes about being a cheap date, but nobody's ever accused me of being attention seeking for it!

I didn't used to drink tea or coffee. Didn't like the taste. Then I joined the army reserve at aged 28. The training sergeant said that if I didn't start drinking tea or coffee he would put me on a charge. He said it in jest, but I took the hint and accepted tea.
I was dismayed how quickly I became addicted to tea. I really do need a cup every morning to get going now.
(Coffee is still disgusting though.)

Hahahaha Wellington love, Tetley Tea is not an ‘upper’ ha! If it was you’d have to be at least 16 to buy it. It’s a comfort thing. There’s nothing more comforting than a piping hot, properly made cup of tea.
You categorically cannot compare tea/coffee to a bloody fag! Cigarettes are a type of drug ffs! 🤣🤣🤣🙄