I've been having fun in the Twitterverse lately. (Come visit anytime.) The medium is so peculiar though. Sometimes you find amazing connections with people and begin to develop relationships. Other times you feel like you are suddenly in the midst of people's very private conversations. And sometimes a comment comes back at you that sticks.
A few weeks ago when I was working on my tea decluttering project (which will start again soon) I mentioned a particular tea that I'd found mediocre. Someone tweeted back at me, "Awful." That's it. No more. I had never read any tweets by this person and knew nothing about them. So I responded, "Which? What I said or the tea?" or something to that effect. No response came my way. I chalked it up to the usual crazy that sometimes happens on Twitter. I figured I'd never know. A few weeks later I expressed similar dismay over another tea by the same company. Once again, the comment appeared, "Awful."
I felt a mixture of irritation and curiosity. It felt like I was being heckled, but I didn't know why. I wrote, "I remember a similar response about a month ago. I guess you're not a fan of (X Company)?" A response did arrive this time to the effect that he actually loved the company but couldn't believe that with that shop's amazing selections that I would buy teas targeted at tourists. I felt like I'd been slapped by a stranger who walked by me on the street. I posted something back about having bought them for friends who weren't yet into more exotic teas...or something to that effect. But I instantly regretted my answer. It wasn't completely true and it wasn't really what was bothering me.
1) I bought the teas because I liked the containers and the tea names. I totally admit it. It's what I do sometimes and occasionally I find a real treasure.
2) Yep - they were teas targeted at tourists, and you know what? I was a tourist. I was in London for just a few days and I ran into the shop after my tea masterclass with Jane Pettigrew, on my way to meeting my friend at the theater. They caught my eye and they seemed like perfect mementos of the trip.
3) The most important point of all: I have no problem with companies making teas intended for a particular population (like tourists). However, I feel that the tea should still reflect the company's level of quality. It actually bothers me to think that this company with a truly stellar reputation would deliberately create an inferior product to take advantage of out-of-towners. I have no problem believing that it happens, but it's wrong. Your job should be to create an absolutely brilliant tea that would appeal to a tourist in order to gain a following. I would happily order teas online if I had had a great experience. I didn't. I had a mediocre experience and so it really isn't worth placing the order from here.
Have any of you had experience with "tourist" teas? It's funny after so many years of tea study that I still feel like I have to justify my palate. But also, I think this whole discussion grated on me because it goes against everything I've tried to do at Tea Pages. Tea shouldn't be intimidating and people shouldn't feel guilty or self-conscious about their choices. They should drink what they love and be open to trying new things.
Off my soapbox now...and maybe I'll just peek at Twitter.
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Sunday, June 19, 2011
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9 comments:
I was in Lonon in 2004 (for that same class! and other things), and I bought a tea tin of a little red double-decker bus. The tea bags inside were not great, but the tin continues to bring me a smile!
That twitter user is a mean spirited troll.
Steph - Exactly. The tea conjures up a moment in time for me. I wish the tea had been amazing, but I'll alway be glad I bought it.
Brett - Not sure if you know the actual user or if you were just responding to my post. In either case, you made me smile. Thanks.
I think it's unfortunate when people make rude and insulting remarks on twitter.
I try to keep in mind that (a) sometimes people can come across as insulting even when they're not intending to be hurtful (b) if they are intending to be hurtful, they're probably in a pretty bad place psychologically, with their own hangups and insecurities, and that's their problem, not mine.
I do agree with your comments about touristy things and quality though, especially with this tea company.
I see that a lot in the county where I grew up...Lancaster county, PA, where there are lots of Amish goods (some fake, some real) sold to tourists...and having actually grown up there, and knowing the Amish stores where Amish people shop, I know where to buy the Amish goods at more reasonable prices. And people do stick tourists for money. Here in Philadelphia, I see some of the same goods sold for even higher prices yet.
I don't like it at all. And is it true that someone is a sucker if they buy them? Well, even if they are, what good is it going to do for me to go insulting them on the internet? How is that going to make the world a better place, or do anything to address the root causes of why people stick tourists for money? People act out of greed when they do not feel connected to others, and insults do exactly that, they make people feel more disconnected. So it's rather backwards, if you ask me!
"I do agree with your comments about touristy things and quality though, especially with this tea company."
I know what company you're talking about and that is completely unfair. The owner takes a lot of pride in his blends and sells them to both large department stores and small tea shops who recognise their quality. If you didn't like them it was because they're not to your taste, which is fine, but please don't feel that because of one inconsiderate twitter user that you are being ripped off or duped.
Alex - I lived in Boston's North End for a couple of years and also saw my share of tourist targeting. It happens, of course, because it is the bread and butter for some stores. I guess I just like being able to better identify which stores that might be -- rather than having excellent stores dabble in that "art."
Will - Thank you for making that really important point that I should have made before this. I very deliberately did not name the company in this post because I was not implying that this is the practice there. I realize now how blurred the lines have become as I really didn't expect people to remember this Twitter exchange or to try to figure out what company was involved. The company being referenced IS an excellent shop with an outstanding reputation and I certainly don't believe that they are intending to "dupe" anyone. As you said, I think these particular teas just weren't my thing. That happens. It's a preference issue, not necessarily a quality issue.
My remarks were in response to the Twitter user's suggestion that companies have teas they intend for "tourists" and it is fine if those are sub-par. It is the whole premise that I contest.
And, yes, I do not take that one person's remarks as representative of the company in question.
Oh, well that's lovely to hear.
To be completely honest, I know who that user is and I'm sure he didn't mean to imply it's the type of shop that compromises quality to pull in tourists. It's just that the shop is so specialised otherwise that most people who buy the blends are people who've walked into the shop blind looking for some black or, to be more accurate, stereotypically 'English' tea - which, again, is fine - but I don't think they're representative of what they're exceptionally good at.
Yeah, so I wouldn't take the tweet personally nor would I interpret it as a slur on the company. Also, they have an uncredited blog which is really interesting, so I'll send it you on your tea directory page and you can put it up if you like. :)
Like what you like for whatever reason you like it. Happy Summer!
newbie to your blog. enjoyed what you had to say and the comments. ...d
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