In Ireland, you go to someone’s house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you’re really just fine. She asks if you’re sure. You say of course you’re sure, really, you don’t need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don’t need a ting. Well, she says then, I was going to get myself some anyway, so it would be no trouble. Ah, you say, well, if you were going to get yourself some, I wouldn’t mind a spot of tea, at that, so long as it’s no trouble and I can give you a hand in the kitchen. Then you go through the whole thing all over again until you both end up in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting.
In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don’t get any damned tea.
I liked the Irish way better.
~ C. E. Murphy, Urban Shaman
If all goes as planned, this is a scheduled post standing in for me while I spend a day at the beach. I’m not sure which beach. Assateague and Chincoteague are in the running, but Assateague has been pulling ahead in the race because rumor has it there are seals on the beach. There may be seals on the beach at Chincoteague, too, but I haven’t heard any such rumor about it yet.
Have a seat by the fire, relax, and have a cup of tea. Really. It’s no problem. The tea is already made.
breezes at dawn 
I very much enjoyed the tea, thank you, and I’m looking forward to our visit to the beach with or without the seals.
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Thank you, Carol. 🙂
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A cup of comforting tea is just the thing to start the day, Robin. My parents were English, so when I was at home tea was constantly being made and always tea leaves in a teapot, no teabags. I hope the seals show up and you take lots of great photos.
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Thank you, Joanne. 🙂 I usually use tea leaves, but also keep an assortment of teabags, just in case.
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The Irish way of serving tea sounds so very convivial. Hope you’re having fun at the beach! At least it’s a nice day for it. Tomorrow’s supposed to fall below freezing. 🙂
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Thanks, Cathy. 🙂 It’s been getting colder as the day goes on.
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Same here. Quite cold!! Brrrr.
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Inherited a collection of elegant tiny tea cups that were used with visitors. THey look small, but practical – you could drink several – and the tea would stay warm – but it was still a small enough amount that you wouldn’t feel awashed.
Enjoy the adventure (seals. ponies. wildness. YEA)
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Thank you, PhilosopherMouse. 🙂 I like tiny tea cups. And big tea cups. And any tea cups in between. I’m always awash in tea. lol!
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are ya sure now? I wouldn’t want to be a bother…you had better watch out for a kelpie on your way
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Absolutely sure, Elisa. It’s no bother at all. Let’s go out to the kitchen and see what we can find that suits you. 🙂 As for the kelpie, no sign of one yesterday, but will keep an eye out whenever I visit the beach.
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This is so sweet! I like the Irish way better, too…..and honestly, if it was me offering a guest a cup of tea, I’d be asking them if they were sure (if they said no), because I really wouldn’t mind making some 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful time at the beach!
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Thank you, Michaela. 🙂 I would keep asking, too. Maybe we’re not American enough. 😉
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LOL Maybe that’s because I’m not American at all! 😉
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LOL! Well, there ya go, then. 😀 I am, but apparently not enough. lol!
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Ah, you’re going to be bringing us some wonderful pictures of the beach and the seals I hope! Such a cute little story to open your post with — gave me a much-needed chuckle!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Becky. 🙂 No seals this time, but I do have something… 😀
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Oh I hope you saw seals and have lots of pictures to share with us!
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Lots of pictures, but no seals, Karma. There was a little something special going on at the beach yesterday. 🙂
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Can I help washing up? Ahhh!! Lovely cuppa Robin, and I hope your away-day proved a good one. Cheers to you, (added a spot of something extra to my tea, want some? 🙂 ) happy trails xPenx
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If you’d like, Pen, but really, it’s no trouble for me to do the washing up on my own. And as it’s freezing here today, a spot of something extra would be lovely. Thank you. 🙂
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A cup of tea would have been perfect this early morning, it was zero out as I started my commute to work. Hopefully the tea will still be warm when I get home; then I would surely like some if you please. Have fun on your adventure!
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I’ll make a fresh pot of tea for you, Dawn, so it will be nice and warm. You deserve a hot cup of tea after going out in that kind of cold! 🙂
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LOVE that pot, Robin. Hope you enjoy the beach. Wish I were there!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
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Thank you, Kathy. 🙂 Would you believe I’d forgotten all about that tea pot? It’s been stored in the attic for years. It’s a good thing we moved or it might have remained forgotten in the attic.
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Talking of tea, I think I’ll go make some… 😉
Enjoy the beach! 🙂
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Thank you, Visioplanet. 🙂
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