It is said that “the cup of tea is the beginning of the story” because when sitting together with a delicious cup, people can slow down their lives, confiding in each other’s thoughts about life.
Today, the famous saying of people when welcoming guests to their house is “The cup of tea is the beginning of the story”, instead of the old custom of eating betel nuts. The fact that the host invites guests to sip a cup of fragrant tea is a new feature in today’s modern lifestyle and also replaces the warm greeting of the owner.
Wherever it is, whether it is rural or urban, upland or lowland, tea is a close drink and is used to entertain guests. Somehow, a simple drink like tea fully expresses the solemnity, esteem and affection that people have for each other.
In the social interaction of Vietnamese people, they often use tea, betel nut and wine to invite guests to visit. From rural to urban, from upland to lowland. The image of a cup of tea is not only familiar when guests come to visit after drinking tea, but it is also associated with the idea of Vietnamese mothers with wrinkled skin, crow’s beak scarves, mouth chewing betel nut, sitting selling water at the base of many village gates. A bowl of fragrant green tea cools thirsty people’s hearts.
“Delicious tea with an acrid taste, please.
Don’t forget your love in the young country.”
The cup of tea starts the happy, new, sad, and old stories. Next to a cup of tea, the friendship between the village and the village is connected, the family atmosphere is warmer, the connection with partners is more profound, and the affection between friends and relatives is even more intense. Even private topics and stories are easily opened and flow at the tea table.
For Vietnamese people, tea is used to express. At the wedding ceremony, the two families use tea to talk; During the Tet holiday, tea is also used to treat guests to the house; parties also invite guests to tea; and even in the daily rhythm of life, tea is always present. Tea has become an indispensable part of creating the Vietnamese soul. And up to now, Vietnamese people have been drinking tea any time, any time. Enjoying tea as a habit is hard to break and irreplaceable in daily life.
“The teacup is the beginning of the story”, not only for the “sweet” tea table, “the four humidities”, or the “damp pants”, but also the “moisture”. Drinking tea alone can also create new stories, reflections, and thoughts. Finding tea is finding peace of mind and slowing down to think more. Tea friends – “brothers” come to a cup of tea to confide, share, discuss, and discuss. Therefore, finding tea is finding yourself inside, giving your mind moments of relaxation and peace.
Because tea is close, familiar is a rich flavour that encapsulates the image and culture of the homeland, so many people love it. Tea is used daily on all occasions of life; for that reason, tea is a meaningful gift that is often given and sent on holidays.
Experiencing the ups and downs of the nation’s history, the tea tree is still closely associated with the Vietnamese people. Along with the development of the times, the custom of drinking tea of the Vietnamese people has created an identity that people call “Vietnamese tea soul” handed down in the country’s history through folk songs, proverbs and folk songs lyrical time and immortal literary poems of cultural celebrities.
Hoai Anh (t/h).
