I'm just uncertain of their military applications. I mean, I understand that a solid tea set can be a force multiplier, but...?

I heard stories of boilers and tea sets in pre-capsuleer era starships. They are in the Bridge, the Engineering,, the Propulsions and also Gunnery. I think it's a Gallente thing.

I don't get it.

A tea party is a traditional ceremony in the State, usually denoting a social gathering through a fixed schedule, number of participants and dress code. A very formal gathering, if you will.

If I'd have to compare it to something, it could come close to an Amarrian Court ball, a Tribal gathering of Elders or a Formal Federal dinner.

This is not to be confused with a Tea Maker ceremony, which is a completely different thing with utterly different meaning!

I hope this helps?

Actually it's more a Caldari thing I think. Gallente have coffee and Quafe.

I've never heard of coffee being drunk in a ceremonial fashion. I must admit that I cannot abide the taste of that foul bean. Perhaps there are different varieties grown in your fine Republic that are of better quality. The idea of coffee being drunk reverently, or contemplatively, is fascinating. I must look more deeply into this.

Here in the Federation, it seems to be treated as nothing more than some energy drink that is gulped down before it has even cooled without a second thought. Honestly, they don't treat the drinking of tea any more respectfully, and my upbringing bristles at it. I love my Gallente friends from outside of the Jin-Mei dearly, but they sometimes exasperate me. I have tried, without much success, to share the more refined pleasures of tea, properly prepared and enjoyed slowly in a relaxed atmosphere, with them, but they never seem to have the time to set aside an hour or two to sit and merely enjoy the taste and aroma of a finely brewed cup, with friends and some light music and conversation. I suppose it's faster to just hurl some water through a filter and gulp it down, if a caffeine burst is all one is after, but the day I fail to set aside some time after lunch with some tea and a lovely starcake and just enjoy myself is the day I've died. Even my crew understands this, and I am quite strict about enforcing tea-time, even when we're in deep space.

I've never heard of coffee being drunk in a ceremonial fashion. I must admit that I cannot abide the taste of that foul bean. Perhaps there are different varieties grown in your fine Republic that are of better quality. The idea of coffee being drunk reverently, or contemplatively, is fascinating. I must look more deeply into this.

Here in the Federation, it seems to be treated as nothing more than some energy drink that is gulped down before it has even cooled without a second thought. Honestly, they don't treat the drinking of tea any more respectfully, and my upbringing bristles at it. I love my Gallente friends from outside of the Jin-Mei dearly, but they sometimes exasperate me. I have tried, without much success, to share the more refined pleasures of tea, properly prepared and enjoyed slowly in a relaxed atmosphere, with them, but they never seem to have the time to set aside an hour or two to sit and merely enjoy the taste and aroma of a finely brewed cup, with friends and some light music and conversation. I suppose it's faster to just hurl some water through a filter and gulp it down, if a caffeine burst is all one is after, but the day I fail to set aside some time after lunch with some tea and a lovely starcake and just enjoy myself is the day I've died. Even my crew understands this, and I am quite strict about enforcing tea-time, even when we're in deep space.

Can't speak for the other clans, but here's how our clan starts our mornings.

At 5am we all wake up. Clean up and take a handful of coffee beans each from the family larder, out of our vacuum-sealed containers. We then head out to the plaza by 5.30am and toss our beans into the public grinder. The elder then diverts the communal grounds into this steam-based coffee machine and all of will get our 60ml of very strong coffee.

We then gather round with our coffee, raise mugs and offer the first sip to our ancestors. After about 15 seconds, we all take the second sip and praise our ancestors and the spirit, then we get on with breakfast and discussions of who does that and other clan business. We finish our coffee and our breakfast by 5.45am and get to work.

This is obviously the modern iteration of the ritual. I hear from my elder that we used to appoint one person who grinds the communal coffee and we are all required to bring along our own ibrik and start our fires. We also used to wake up at 4am.

Recommend inviting Kimmy. She sounds like the tea type.

Would YOU dare?

Coffee is the only civilized caffeinated beverage.

*sips*

Can't speak for the other clans, but here's how our clan starts our mornings.

At 5am we all wake up. Clean up and take a handful of coffee beans each from the family larder, out of our vacuum-sealed containers. We then head out to the plaza by 5.30am and toss our beans into the public grinder. The elder then diverts the communal grounds into this steam-based coffee machine and all of will get our 60ml of very strong coffee.

We then gather round with our coffee, raise mugs and offer the first sip to our ancestors. After about 15 seconds, we all take the second sip and praise our ancestors and the spirit, then we get on with breakfast and discussions of who does that and other clan business. We finish our coffee and our breakfast by 5.45am and get to work.

This is obviously the modern iteration of the ritual. I hear from my elder that we used to appoint one person who grinds the communal coffee and we are all required to bring along our own ibrik and start our fires. We also used to wake up at 4am.

Oh how delightful! Will you be providing bottle service?

Would YOU dare?