Tea Bags
 

I do realize that this is a loosely travel-related question, but I sincerely want to know - when served a selection of tea bags,and the server later brings a refill of hot water, is the restaurant's intention for the diner to reuse the bag? I may have too much time on my hands, but I've always wondered!

Depending on the brand and how strong you made your first cup will answer if you need a 2nd bag. Generally you should use a new bag for every refill.

I usually put the tea bag in the pot (rather than the cup) in restaurants, and if they bring me more hot water (rare occurrence), at least the bag's been sitting in there long enough to make the tea pretty strong and less likely to be too diluted with new hot water.<BR><BR>Two completely unrelated comments:<BR><BR>I wish wish wish restaurants would stock non-caffeinated teas and make sure their waitstaff know the difference between flavored teas (which are usually made with black or green tea, both with caffeine) and herb teas/infusions (which shouldn't have caffeine).<BR><BR>2. My aunt was so stingy ('how stingy was she?') that she'd dip a new tea bag just enough times to color the water and then hang the bag on a cup-tree to dry it out and reuse it. She always had the strangest looking cup-tree with bags hanging from its &quot;branches&quot; in her kitchen.

I can top that stingy aunt. I once had an elderly lady neighbor who one day figured out how little tea there was in all the bags in a box of tea bags. So she bought bulk tea, cheap coffee filters, cut them up and made her own teabags. Now that's cheap!!!<BR>I once bought her a tea infuser for using bulk tea, but she refused to use it, saying she preferred tea bags!!!<BR>

If your question pertains to the US, I think most people are unfamiliar with the finer points of tea drinking. That said, I think you can assume that a restaurant provides one bag per cup just like one pours one cup of coffee. If the server actually refills your hot water (unusual) , what's the harm in asking for another bag if you prefer it.<BR>Just like a coffee refill. cheerio.

To Patrick - one can buy empty tea bags by mail (although your elderly aunt probably would not do this as it costs almost as much as tea bags filled) to use with loose tea - I use a tea infuser but for more powdery teas (like Thai tea which is really a powder) it prevents little nasty tea things from escaping from the tea infuser.<BR><BR>I am primarily a coffee drinker, but it must be annoying to tea drinkers to get charged for each cup when coffee drinkers get free refills.

LOL T n C and Patrick!<BR><BR>It does seem rather unfair, not to mention stingy, not to allow tea-drinkers a seperate bag with each cup, when coffee drinkers get refill after refill. But then, all those soggy bags next to your cup would be pretty unappetizing .....

I always expect a fresh tea bag with each cup or small pot.<BR><BR>Before a server takes thepot away for a refill, I tear a corner off the teabag tag. That way, when they bring the pot back, I can tell if they put in a fresh tea bag or not.<BR><BR>PS. Does anyonone remember a tea hoddle?

Hmm, not sure what a hoddle is. But once when my mother started drinking tea instead of coffee we were at a rather elegant place and they put everything down in front of her. There was a little porcelain dish with a lid. She lifted it and called the waitress over to inform her the &quot;sugar bowl is empty&quot;, to which the waitress replied, &quot;no, dear, that is for your used tea bag&quot;. I thought at the time that was the height of class -- having a cover for your tea bag so you don't have to look at it, but I was so embarrassed by my mother's comment I wanted to crawl under the table. Isn't it funny what we remember from years ago?

Patrick: What I want to know is what did your neighbor use to close the coffee filter after filling it with loose tea? (Glue? Staples? String that she used over &amp; over?)

I usually drink coffee, but when I do drink tea, I want it STRONG. During a stop at the DC Old Post Office Pavilion we went to a baked goods stand &amp; bought some goodies &amp; beverages. I got a large coffee, my friend a large tea - I think the prices were like .90 and 1.39. All the extra money only bought her a little more hot water, but still only 1 teabag, even when a second was requested. Agree that tea drinkers are treated unfairly.<BR><BR>I remember the hottles used for tea and coffee when I was a busboy doing room service deliverys years ago. That was great how the small carafe fit right into a cup, giving the guest about 1 1/2 refills.<BR><BR>I like the infusers, but have sometimes at work just poured the tea right into the cup, and used my teeth to strain. Nasty? Yes, but I am a caffeine addict.

as an owner of a restaurant, i thought i had seen everything until i witnessed customers (several, this happens all of the time) who order hot water, then take their own tea bags from home out of their purse for their hot tea!

to &quot;tired&quot; who posted about restaurant patrons using their own teabags: why is this bad? I'm asking sincerely, because I like to bring my own tea with me when I travel -- I'm just picky about the tea I drink and since I like green tea there aren't many restuarnts that carry it. I'm perfectly happy paying full price at a restaurant for tea when I'm only really having their hot water. Since it's actually saving the restaurant a teabag or two, why would you complain?

Tired-<BR><BR>Maybe you should have a better selection of tea. People pay more for cappuccino, what makes you think they wouldn't pay more for PREMIUM tea?<BR><BR>Although I don't bring my own tea to a restaurant, I do bring my own tea bags when travelling...because my tea bags are better than what is generally available.<BR> <BR>At airports I am frequently charged a dollar or more for a cup of hot water....but at least I get a decent cup of tea.

OK, did i fail to mention that the people who request hot water and bring their own tea bags, sit and drink this tea, and DO NOT order food....they use up a table, that a PAYING customer could be sitting at and spend no $$$!!!! I'm trying to run a business here....

Why don't you charge for the hot water then, &quot;Tired&quot;? Readers have already stated that they are willing to pay for the convenience. Those who don't wish to pay can walk. As far as not buying any food ... well I'm sure you've got as many who buy &quot;a cup&quot; of coffee, sit for an hour and never purchase food either. It's all part of the industry (yes, I've worked in it, including ownership) ... and remember: it's called the HOSPITALITY industry.

To &quot;tired,&quot;<BR><BR>Sorry, I really can't credit your post. I suspect you aren't even a restaurant owner to begin with (if so, what on earth are you doing on line today? I know Mondays are usually slow days or you're closed, but ....). And the number of times I've ever seen someone order hot water and nothing else is ZERO (except in old movies when someone is having a baby -- apparently the midwives need tea! ;-) )<BR><BR>I'm also sick of restaurants that only offer Lipton or Tetley regular tea while offering 17 kinds of coffee. I carry my own tea bags, ask the waiter about their choice of teas (&quot;uh, ya mean hot or iced? we only got iced tea and regular tea&quot;) and THEN I ask for a pot of hot water. No restaurant that does this should EVER get more than 2 stars in my book.

Tired, unless you have lines of people waiting out the door for a table, aren't you still making money anyway even if they just want a drink? If it bothers you so much then just post a sign telling patrons they can't sit down unless they order food. Or have your waitstaff inform them. Do you have a bar area? You could ask people who just want coffee or water to move there. As a traveller I appreciate the places where I can come in for a bev and rest my feet. Of course if there's a crowd waiting to get iin and eat I move along and find someplace less busy.

TO: Totally Tea'er<BR>Believe it or not, Mr./Mrs. Smarty Pants, restaurant owners now have the AMAZING ability to have an office, where they do things such as payroll, inventory and yes, we occasionaly go on-line and check the fodors.com message board, because believe it or not - we travel too!!! I don't know where you come up with your ability to validate others occupations, but you either &quot;owned&quot; a burger shack, or didn't have any customers. You have no right to decide if my post was accurate or valid.

hey, tired....I don't believe you own a restaurant, either....

To &quot;tired,&quot; if you're the owner, change your policies. Charge $1 for hot water and call it done. There will always be cheapskates in this world -- if they aren't bringing their own teabags, they'll be doing something else to eat into your profits. Welcome to the wonderful world of restaurant ownership. <BR>

Just a note to all of you who are being so skeptical and critical - if you read my previous posts I was only expressing that I was amazed how many people come into a restaurant, order nothing but hot water, spend no $$$, and sit and chat. I don't charge them, I never mentioned anything about charging them, I don't have any &quot;policies&quot; regarding this....I am only amazed at people's behavior in restaurants. Believe me, this is nothing compared to what I see on a typical day. And by the way, 10 years ownership thank you all very much.

&quot;tired,&quot; we're telling you to charge people because you're obviously annoyed by these people, not simply &quot;amazed.&quot; It's very common for restaurants to require patrons to spend $$$ in order to sit and chat. By not charging anyone, you DO have a policy -- your policy is to let your patrons sit and chat without ordering a single thing. 10 years in the restaurant biz? I doubt it, or you wouldn't be so &quot;amazed&quot; by what customers will do to save a buck.

This tea drinker hates ordering tea in a restaurant. You never know what you are going to get. On one end of the scale I've been given lukewarm water in a cup with no saucer recently. Gross. On the other end of the scale, In Ireland I've been given a pot of real brewed tea (not a tea bag) with a nice little jug of milk and both granulated and brown sugar (just like my Irish mom use to give us when we didn't feel well). In the US at best you can hope for is a small pot of hot water(that has never had coffee in it) and one tea bag. Have to ask twice for milk usually. <BR><BR>By the way do any other tea drinkers like to drink tea with milk and amaretto ? It really quite nice after dinner. Its my version of coffe and a liquer. Learned this in Toronto.

Why, that([email protected]) do you &quot;doubt&quot; 10 years in the business? Did you ever consider that my restaurant is made up of &quot;locals&quot; that in the winter time (lake resort location)I must make exceptions to? I don't have a problem doing this, everyone knows everyone where we are - and we do try to be hospitable and accomodating to our customers. I myself however, would never dream of doing such a thing, which is why I find it &quot;amazing&quot;. <BR><BR>Since it seems that I must defend myself I will explain that I have a group of ladies who sit by the fireplace every second Tuesday of each month and play bridge. Some of them have drinks and lunch, others spend no $$, and simply play bridge with their hot water and tea. I don't understand the need for people on this message board to doubt my profession. Of course I have other stories that make this one pale in comparison, I was simply expressing my opinion.

Nice backpedal. <BR>You call yourself &quot;hospitable and acccomodating,&quot; yet your email address says it all: &quot;[email protected].&quot; Yes, I'm sure you just LOVE those little old ladies who play bridge and don't spend a dime. <BR><BR>You've got other restaurant stories? Interesting stories? Do tell. This is getting boring.

Dear &quot;that is life&quot;<BR>why don't you get one - i bet you argue with yourself in the mirror

Tired, you ought to adopt a &quot;glass is half full&quot; mentality about your bridge ladies. #1, these are people who are comfy enough with your establishment to make it their &quot;home&quot; for their bridge meetings. Says a lot about the attractiveness of your place, it should tell you you are doing something right. #2, ever wonder how much word-of-mouth business you get from these ladies? They're obviously old-timers and I'll bet they tell all their friends what a nice place they go to to play bridge. Women talk about this stuff, believe me, I'm one and I do! #3, some of them DO spend money with you, so why beef about the ones who don't? If it was my restaurant I'd be thrilled to have regulars like these.

Tired-<BR><BR>I don't think you are a restaurant owner either.<BR><BR>I think that the successful business person would be more intersted in how they might generate more profts from tea drinkers (better tea, etc).<BR><BR>You didn't seem interested at all in WHY a person might bring their own tea bags.<BR><BR>Companies spend millions on focus groups to get the information that we are providing free..and you didn't even care.<BR> <BR><BR> <BR><BR>

I am going to say this again, just to see If I can get censored faster than the last time: &quot;come to my restaurant, and I will teabag your soup&quot; old ladies included.

Oh man, &quot;that is life&quot;, you are cracking me up! I used to have the same problem. <BR><BR>I used to run a deli in Thousand Oaks. These patchouli smellin' hippies would come in and order &quot;just some hot water please&quot;. They'd say that in their stupid &quot;victim&quot; voice like they couldn't afford it. Then they'd take out their weird ass &quot;drink of the day&quot; and serve themselves up. You name it: top ramen, nile soups, etc.<BR><BR>Then they'd camp their butts down and take up valuable seats. <BR><BR>No matter what policy you make, people always try to stretch the rules. People are pigs. <BR><BR>That goes for you to: That is life. I can tell you're a heavy breathin fat pig who needs to do more cardio.

I believe you are a restaurant owner. After putting myself through college bartending and waiting tables, I can believe anything. I worked in Hilton Head waiting tables one summer and a guest asked me if our Alaskan Crab Legs were local.

Junebug you have to understand that a restaurant is a business, not a social club. If you want to play cards somewhere and not pay for anything (not to mention occupy/distract waiters who could be serving paying customers) do it at &quot;shady acres retirement home&quot;. every seat occupied by a non-paying guest is lost money. Try doing that in Italy, where they will charge you for your seat, which is what they should do at the place you go. They have to pay rent, if want to be there you should contribute to it. To make the argument that you should be there because you can give good word of mouth advertising is a joke, you'll probably tell the rest of your old lady friends that you found a place that will let you sit at their tables for free and attract more non-paying customers.

Joebob, I know what you're saying (btw I laughed at your &quot;teabagging&quot; comment, too funny.) &quot;Tired&quot; said he had a place at a resort area, which is off-season right now. So my point is, unless he has lines of people waiting to get in he's still making money with the bridge ladies who do buy stuff, right? Obviously it would be a dumb business practice to allow the non-payong old ladies to sit there while paying customers are waiting, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. I do disagree with you about word of mouth. I think it's the best form of advertisement for a restaurant. Sure the old ladies might tell people they found a place where they can sit and play bridge without paying, but that alone might attract other people in because they hear the management is &quot;friendly&quot;. I've gone to restaurants on a recommendation of good service alone. Anyway I think that &quot;Tired&quot; is doing the right thing by NOT throwing the old gals out into the snow! LOL

Junebug,<BR><BR>thanks for having a sense of humor, most of the comments I make on here are attempts to be informative, however, sometimes I can't resist the opportunity to make jokes or sarcastic comments, you are the first to not take them personally and get all worked up about them. you can come to my restaurant for &quot;teabags on the house&quot; anytime!

Can't believe all the responses to this little post.<BR>But to answer the question way up there somewhere what my neighbor used to fasten her home made tea bags together -- I forgot to tell you. She actually sewed them on her sewing machine!!! She bought coffee filters in a huge quantity at walmart or somewhere and cut them up, filled them with tea, folded them over, and then actually sewed them on three sides. No strings or tags though.

Thanks, Patrick!!! She just cracks me up!

This seems to have degenerated into a rant about whether people who sit in a restaurant and don't pay a certain amount (per hour of sitting?) should be burned at the stake or offered free water. <BR><BR>Not all Italian restaurants charge for seat occupancy, and in any case I'm always struck by the willingness of European restauranteurs to allow one to sit all evening after a meal, compared to the assembly-line cattle-prodding of a lot of American restauranteurs who clearly worry about revenue-per-hour more than ambiance. <BR><BR>As for the bridge-playing ladies, good grief, man, you have a great opportunity to create a new event and also some good will at the same time. Instead of bitchin' about these people (-- have you considered that they might be living on the same $1500/month income my mother's trying to live on, and it's damn hard --), why not institute a &quot;high-tea&quot; on these afternoons, where you could provide a base amount of hot water/tea and a platter of treats, letting the ladies chip in together thereby saving face for the ones with no money. If your restaurant's &quot;high tea&quot; catches on, you've got some off-season revenue.<BR><BR>Take that sour look off your face, quit being so defensive about your job, and start thinking out of your squinty little box. You might make money, gain a reputation as a good guy, and eventually you wouldn't have time to kill on Fodors.

Alot of delis in Los Angeles charge for hot water, I guess they got stung too often by people bringing in their own teabags. <BR>When I was on a Postum kick years ago, I would pay for tea, use the hot water for my Postum. I couldn't enjoy it otherwise if I thought they thought I was trying to cheat them.

I'd like to bring up a little side issue, those tip jars on counters everywhere. I can understand if someone orders a half-decaf-half-half-n-half-half-nonfat-cappuccino, hold the foam, and a server slaves for 10 minutes making it, a tip might be appropriate. But I have ordered tea and been given an empty cup to fill from the thermos of hot water myself and a tea bag, paid $2 for the privilege, and then looked at askance when I didn't drop a tip in the jar. What am I tipping for exactly?