Warning: I’m going to rant, but I’m not going to name names or link sites.

I recently joined a local group that has meetups. The focus of these meetups is tea. Our last organizer went AWOL, and so I was very excited when the new Organizer stepped up! I would have myself ages ago except it costs to become an Organizer, it’s free to just be a member. Anyway, I messaged the new organizer expressing an interest in meetups around local tea shops and cafes in Vancouver. I included website links and several location suggestions just incase the Organizer wasn’t from Vancouver proper. I got the most infuriating response back… and when I read it at work, I actually said out loud: “Tea snob!”

Here was the Organizer’s convoluted response:

We had a great time at our meetup last time. I offered an easy-to-learn tea introduction session. Most people still do not know much about tea. As a tea master, I would like to give people the fundamental knowledge to work with so they know how to buy, brew & store tea and understand complex tastes of true world-class teas. I also show them how to best use tea for physical, metal & spiritual benefits. After we have some people who know a bit about teas, we can do any casual tea party where people can bring snacks & tea. Then we talk abut any thing. That’ll be fun.

It may seem there are several nice tea shops out there but surprisingly “none of them” offers decent teas. You may not believe me now but if you try the tea I offer if you will not want to drink any of their tea. It’s important for you come to learn some basic tea skills from me and sample my tea. Then you understand why it’s not worth you a while to spend money in those tea shops any more. Hopefully, Vancouver will have better tea shops coming soon.

Thank you for your great interest & suggested list. We may still visit some of the shops sometimes in the future. For now, I hope I can meet you in person and let you have a true “incredible tea experience”.

Best wishes, Organizer X

Okay here is what pisses me off:

1. Just because he is a “tea master” does not make other people’s tastes, opinions, and likes/dislikes invalid! People are free to choose what they enjoy. I truly believe that.
2. He’s basically saying that once people aren’t such idiots, then he’ll have causal conversations and get-togethers with them. SNOB!
3. There are TONS of AMAZING tea shops in Vancouver! I intend to now review a tea shop or several! I love so many and would like to try lots more.
4. I don’t like that he is telling me what is important. I agree that it is important to learn, but I don’t have to have any basic tea skills to know what I like or dislike drinking! I will spend my money where I want to.
5. If I’m not free to feel any way I want to about tea, I’m sorry but I don’t want to share tea or sample any teas with this new Organizer.

On a happier note (and one that truly reflects learning and enjoyment of tea) I tried Darjeeling tea with Ruth while she and her husband were in Vancouver. I now intend to try Darjeeling at another tea shop to see if I can distinguish that unique flavour that Ruth couldn’t quite describe!