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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

TEA and my travelling alone.

17 replies

Cally62 · 17/03/2025 00:57

Probably posting in the wrong place but it’s 4.45 am where I am and I’ve been travelling for 12 hours.
I’m sat in an airline lounge after getting a complimentary bus journey from the airport in Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
I’m waiting for my son in law to retrieve me.
A bus driver has just handed me a cup of very hot, very sweet and very milky tea.
I’ve drank it, didn’t want to seem rude not drinking it.
FUCK
My after thought now is that I really shouldn’t be accepting drinks from bus drivers and also could there be a real chance that it was made with camels milk.
Being picked up in 30 minutes.
Hopefully I’ll still be alive.
This is the first time I’ve traveled alone in almost 25 years.I’m here for 4 weeks but staying with my Dd and Gd how much trouble can I get in to.
🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 17/03/2025 01:01

Camels milk is fine to drink. I would be more worried it was laced with something else. But you are hopefully safe in an airport lounge.

Original poster
Cally62 · 17/03/2025 01:03

Well not feeling anything other than tired

Camels milk… it’s going happen at some point 🤣

OP posts:
katscamel · 17/03/2025 01:06

Hot sweet milky tea is horrendous but often how it's drunk in S.E.Asia where the bus driver is probably from...its often made with condensed milk.
You won't find camel milk used in most tea/coffee, generally the specialised cafes as its still pretty expensive.
Sure you'll have a great trip, Abu Dhabi is nice and very safe.

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/03/2025 01:51

Almost all milks that aren’t from cow/goat are too expensive to waste on tourists Grin I had fermented horse milk but we had to meet herders in obscure places and pay a lot!

FuckssakeMulder · 17/03/2025 02:00

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/03/2025 01:51

Almost all milks that aren’t from cow/goat are too expensive to waste on tourists Grin I had fermented horse milk but we had to meet herders in obscure places and pay a lot!

I always thought ‘horse milk’ was a euphemism.

PearTreeBoat · 17/03/2025 04:34

It's likely Karak tea which is the traditional tea served in the Middle East. It's also perfectly normal for locals/residents to give drinks and treats to visitors, it's just a form of hospitality.

Whilst I'd be wary of accepting drinks from strangers in a lot of countries, I certainly wouldn't be worried in the big cities of the Middle East.

pantsalot · 17/03/2025 04:42

Ach you’ll be fine. Have a great holiday!

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/03/2025 05:03

FuckssakeMulder · 17/03/2025 02:00

I always thought ‘horse milk’ was a euphemism.

Show quote history

No. Saw them being milked! It’s a right pain because they produce very little.

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 17/03/2025 05:09

@Cally62 I don't understand your worry about camel's milk, unless you are using it as a euphemism? 🤢 if you are!

WiddlinDiddlin · 17/03/2025 05:41

It'll be condensed milk... an aquired taste (I have acquired it from a Jamaican neighbour years ago, very comforting, but yes very milky and sweet and almost 'puddingy')...

But camels milk won't make you explode or anything. It is still milk, and no more or less suitable for humans to drink than cow, goat, sheep, horse etc.

Greyexpectations · 17/03/2025 05:51

Camel milk chocolate is widely sold out there and is delicious. The bus driver will be SE Asian, and bringing you tea is a sign of respect and hospitality. No harm will come to you; UAE is very safe for travellers. Do be careful of posting on social media, though. Negative comments about the region or its people could be taken seriously.

ChippingSoda · 17/03/2025 05:54

You are unlikely to have a nice cup of tea until you get home (if you’re from the UK) . Even in the hotels it will be Lipton or some random brand and the milk will be UHT. Traditional teas are very sweet and strong mint or black in the Middle East as far as I remember. Didn’t usually have any milk in it though.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 17/03/2025 06:21

It's an act of kindness and hospitality, so why does everyone jump to the 'he's drugged you/going to rape you/sell you for a few camels' trope?
I was hitch-hiking in Italy, stuck on a toll bridge; one of the men in a toll-booth hopped out and offered me a coffee from his lunchvflask. It was like tarcwirth a sugar mountain, but much appreciated and a kind gesture.

Changeissmall · 17/03/2025 06:24

What a weird post. It’s a safe and easy country to travel in. Probably SE Asian version of tea which is lovely if very different from UK versions.

NautilusLionfish · 17/03/2025 07:30

PearTreeBoat · 17/03/2025 04:34

It's likely Karak tea which is the traditional tea served in the Middle East. It's also perfectly normal for locals/residents to give drinks and treats to visitors, it's just a form of hospitality.

Whilst I'd be wary of accepting drinks from strangers in a lot of countries, I certainly wouldn't be worried in the big cities of the Middle East.

Many years ago, my sister used to go to Dubai. Even in shops she was offered tea while she browsed, or wares were brought to her to inspect. Sometimes with all sorts of yummy cookies and goodies.

It's hospitality not an evil plan @Cally62

NautilusLionfish · 17/03/2025 07:32

WiddlinDiddlin · 17/03/2025 05:41

It'll be condensed milk... an aquired taste (I have acquired it from a Jamaican neighbour years ago, very comforting, but yes very milky and sweet and almost 'puddingy')...

But camels milk won't make you explode or anything. It is still milk, and no more or less suitable for humans to drink than cow, goat, sheep, horse etc.

And camel milk is likely more sustainable and healthier. With fewer hormones and forever chemicals compared to non organic UK milk

minnienono · 17/03/2025 07:33

Tea is drunk sweet in most places, I drink tea black without sugar which meant in India they thought I was particularly weird, though I can tolerate sweet chai tea as it’s more like a hot milkshake

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