cultural differences

Tea and Coffee vs. Soda and Water

When I lived in Ireland for 5 months, I had to opportunity to also travel to England a couple of times and meet people from England as well. It was always to common trend for down time or to offer to a guest, tea of coffee. I went to many events in Ireland including a ceili which is traditional song and dance for the Irish people. We were able to hear the beautiful music played live and then learn some traditional dances that went along with the songs: a jig vs. a reel. After a while there is always a "sos beag" or a little break, which always included tea of coffee and "biscuits" which we would identify as cookies. Since I have been back in America, I forgot how often it is expressed "soda or water". You never hear people stress tea or coffee here in America. I had to opportunity to live with an Irish family and they told me throughout the day they would have about 5-6 cups of tea. This also began at a very young age, the youngest in the family was 13 and he would have about 3 cups of tea a day. Typically the tea was like a black tea, we might think of it as Earl Grey or Irish Breakfast. Here, in America, we find many options of tea offered, but it just isn't as cultural as it is in Ireland. When I was there I lived in a campus owned "flat" and each "flat" had its own tea kettle. It was uncommon not to have one. It just facsinates me, because since I have been back in Milwaukee, I have been trying to drink more and more tea like I did in Ireland, but because of the cultural difference, it still makes it a bit harder than when I was in Ireland. I hardly drank soda in Ireland, however it has been my guilty pleasure. Now of course that I am back in America I drink it way too much. I just would like to be more conscious about what a drink and my surroundings. I really do enjoy tea and Ireland made me realize that. The caffeine that tea offers too is sufficient throughout the whole day! :)