Usually when we get together with family, friends, and/or clients, we gather over breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In or out. A restaurant, our place, or their place. I’m also very accustomed to getting together for a drink. These are things I do a lot. Socializing and catching up is a big part of our lives and is (almost always) an enjoyable practice.
But last week, something happened which threw me for a loop. Friends of ours invited us and another couple to their new house for an afternoon…………..TEA. I kid you not. Not a cook-out, not lox and bagels, not martinis, not even a buffet.
But tea.
I remember when my parents took us kids to London and my mother dragged us to tea in the lobby of the Savoy Hotel. As excited as she was, we were all perplexed. And kinda pissed.
Yes, tea was served and poured - but was I supposed to jump for joy for the opportunity to drop the sugar cubes into it? And, frankly, I would have preferred a Fresca, a Coke, or even a Tab.
Then the precious little sandwiches danced their way to our table. It’s a very sad thing when the most coveted white bread sandwich at the table was a single slice of cucumber with mayonnaise. That was the very best one. By a longshot.
No corned beef on rye, no pastrami, no PB and J, and definitely no sloppy joes. A Chicken McNugget Happy Meal would have blown this whole Savoy thing out of the park.
Having a “tea” is not something I have thought about once in the decades since.
Until last week.
With a mighty tasty brewed tea to accompany the delicious homemade snacks, we ended up experiencing something really special. For those few chill hours, tea brought friends together, tea allowed us to experience their new home, and tea enabled us to catch up on our lives.
So, now I’ll confess: this tea thing rocks!
In this crazy residential real estate market, I’m beginning to think tea is the answer.
Before making a decision, have some tea.
Before reacting to an inspection report, have some tea.
Before deciding that the buyer’s offer is an offensive insult, have some tea.
Before deciding that the seller’s refusal to replace a $400 dishwasher is a dealbreaker, definitely have some tea.
Best,
Brad
