Today things are so politically correct that it is hard for a common bigot to find something or some group he can discriminate against without people fussing at him/her. There is one group which constantly faces discrimination in everyday life and no one even bothers to worry about it. I am, quite naturally, referring to the beleaguered tea drinker. You may think that I am being paranoid, but all you have to do is look around.
For example, go into an office where you have to wait to see the person you want. What happens is that someone comes over and asks if you would like a cup of coffee while you wait. Do they ever ask if you would like a cup of tea (which I would)? They would not think of it. Same thing if you are in another waiting room and you see this row of pots brewing happily away. All contain coffee of course.
That is why I am happy that one of my favorite holidays is coming up on Dec. 16. I am referring to the Boston Tea Party which was on that date in 1773. We all know that it was due to a tax on tea placed by the British. The British knew what they were doing which was evidenced by the fact that they did not bother putting on a coffee tax. They knew that the citizens of Boston were quality tea drinkers and that was where the revenue lay. Today, the Feds could put a big tax on tea in an effort to pay off the 18 trillion the country owes and nobody would say a word.
Back in 1773 though they knew what was what. Consequently, a bunch of Patriots led by Sam Adams (before he made beer) determined to throw tea into the harbor rather than pay an obnoxious tax. Five thousand people showed up that night to take the tea off three ships and dump the boxes in the water. (I hope none of it was Darjeeling as that is my favorite and it is hard to find). The people involved in this effort where from all walks of life. However, in addition to Sam there were prominent Patriots like John Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere and Tom Brady in the mix. They were incensed that anyone would fool around by trying to tax a beloved beverage of the common and uncommon man!
Our oldest son lives in Boston, and one time The Blonde in the house and I thought we might go down to the harbor and see if there might be a box still floating around. Tea lasts forever you know. Alas, it seems that no one knows exactly where the party occurred since as Boston grew the harbor was filled in and no one knows the exact site anymore. They do say though that on a quiet December 16, between 7 pm and 10 pm that in a certain part of Boston you can hear ghostly voices hollering and splashing noises. On a really good night they note that you can even smell Darjeeling (darn) tea laying in the water.
Let’s face it, the Boston Tea Party was a great thing for our country’s establishment. There most certainly was never a Boston or any other city coffee party – probably would have killed half the fish in the harbor had there been one.
It is my fervent hope that the above might discourage people from discriminating against us poor tea drinkers. Heck, tea is cheaper than coffee and you use less of it. In fact some people keep their tea bags and use them several times.
The one slightly encouraging sign I have seen is that I have been told that there is a Teaparty group around. Still I wonder if they really drink tea at their parties, or if they are really closet coffee drinkers. It is a puzzlement!
Barry Evans writes about Life in The Villages for Villages-News.com