Cultural Predispositions:

Cultural Predispositions:

Being in born in Canada, I grew up with the word ‘culture’ meaning sometimes my friends’ parents had strange beliefs, and that they would, often unsuccessfully, badger their kids into joining them. If there is such a thing as ‘Canadian culture’, it’s centered around a framework of Christianity and teaches us to be outwardly kind, courteous, tolerant, and hard-working people. Outside of this semi-moral framework, the average Canadian doesn’t have deep rooted history, or ancient sites to be awestruck by, we’re just too young of a country for that. We celebrate our culture as being a mosaic of nations, all living in the cold together. Our parents may have had beliefs when they first came here, but like religion, their culture has sort of melted away with time and the need to fit in.

Culture has two main goals. It builds a framework that helps its followers integrate into a well-functioning society, and it becomes the basis for the common sense shared between its people. The values are determined by the previous generations, sometimes going back hundreds of years. The easy part is, to contribute to culture, you just need to conform. It’s like a well-built machine, and humanity would have never gotten where it is today without it.

Today we find ourselves in a society with less and less social interaction, where almost all meetings are transactional, and true friends are few and far between. This lack of social interaction means that culture isn’t easily transferred, and this lack of culture only isolates us further, and without culture, society will begin to fall apart, like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Japanese people used to drink a lot of sake, they drank sake because that was the alcohol available. If someone didn’t like sake, but wanted to drink, too bad. They had to spend time and effort to acquire the taste for it, they had to conform to society. In the modern era, they don’t. Why? There are options now, they can have cocktails, beer, wine, whiskey, etc. The cultural monopoly sake had over the country is gone.

A similar thing is happening with friendships. We work a lot, and when we have time off, we need to buy our groceries, run our errands and do chores. Our devices capture a lot of our attention, and it’s easier to cheat and give yourself a lazy day, not interacting with anyone. But then, when the stars align, you’ll reach out to your closest friend. They are, unfortunately busy with one of the above tasks, or having their lazy day.

You will eventually see each other, but as you get older, it will be less and less frequent, and once one of you gets a life partner, the friendship is virtually over. Your visits will be once a year or less, on average. This is the current adult Canadian reality, and God forbid you have a disagreement with the people you believe are friends, because in the current culture of unforgiveness and safe spaces, one of you will be ‘cancelled’ forever.

Cultural attitudes significantly influence how ideas about things like tea are perceived. In some cultures, the thought of drinking tea as a refined hobby is respectable, in others it’s something like bingo – you know, for old people. Though cultural norms evolve with time, people’s willingness to embrace new activities can depend on their self-identity, values, resolve, character, and social status.

Tea is a very special beverage; in that it can offer something for everyone. It can be quietly enjoyed and examined alone, or used as a focal point for social interaction. Either way, the true essence of tea culture emphasizes slowing down our fast-paced lives, taking time to be in the moment rather than rushing through the day with a paper cup. The slow-paced nature of tea enjoyment along with the hospitality it enables are the core principles behind teas historical cultural significance. I would like to add a third core principle — that good tea brings beauty into someone’s life, and that beauty makes life better.

I don’t know any culture that doesn’t value beauty in some form, but for those without culture, those without predefined values, a moral compass, or group identity, tea and the proper service of it is akin to universally accepted gesture of goodwill. The mentality of kindness and beauty that tea embodies promotes a genuinely good path to follow in life.

Tea is a globally recognized beverage, so I’m not breaking any ground with this. Although there may not be a culture to deeply explore teas sensory mysteries yet, it’s not like that culture cannot be created, and that is partly my mission. Regardless of my success with this, the simple act of making time to share tea with others is a positive step for humanity. If I can influence others to do the same, and further the culture of this, the world will be better for it.