My mother and the generous Indian businessman
By Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
Northampton, England
October 31, 2015 3:59pm CST
Last week I wrote about my mother and the 'naked' Saudi doctor and it reminded me of a story she sometimes tells from way back before I was born which suddenly made sense to me just a few weeks ago.
My parents married when my mother was only 19 and my dad was in the Air Force. Early in their marriage my mum was left at home whilst dad was off overseas. After a while mum decided she was sick of being left behind and when dad got send to Yemen (then known as Aden) she went with him. She applied for a job as a secretary in an office and went for an interview.
The Indian businessman who needed the secretary was served a cup of tea by one of the office 'boys' and seeing mum looking slightly envious at his cup and saucer, he asked if she'd like some.
Mum had been brought up to never turn down an offer of tea and said that would be lovely.
The businessman took his cup and poured half of the contents into the saucer and handed it to mum who tried desperately hard to not spill it as she sipped it.
I had always thought this was a bizarre story but last month on holiday we went to Ahmedabad in Gujarat where I learned that it was common practice to drink your tea from the saucer - and a good way in a hot climate to cool it down. I now find myself wondering if mum's interviewer was from Gujarat. I guess I'll never know. And I must check next time I see her whether she got the job or not.
13 people like this
10 responses
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
1 Nov 15
i didn't know there are people who drank tea that way and yes, i would probably spill it on myself. i also didn't know yemen used to be aden. did your mom follow your dad elsewhere?
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
1 Nov 15
Yes. I was conceived when they were in Yemen and when I was a tiny baby I think they were back in the UK for a while. Then when I was two and my sister just a few months old, we all went to Holland with him. Sadly he was killed in an accident when I was 4 and my sister 2 and so that was the end of following him.
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
1 Nov 15
@Fleura My mum is an amazing survivor. She packed up and came back to the UK to stay the first few months with her parents and then the Haig Fund (the poppy people) put us up in one of their houses where we lived for 6 years until my mum had trained as a teacher and got together the deposit for a house of our own.
I have very few solid memories of my dad.
3 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
1 Nov 15
@boiboing She must have had a tough time but glad she managed to make a good career for herself. It always seems particularly poignant for a child to not remember their own parents, obviously I hope to live a good while yet but failing that I'm trying to stay alive at least long enough that Big One and Little One will have plenty of memories of our time together.
3 people like this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
1 Nov 15
Ha haa what a practice;from the saucer. But it is the different in cultures and such issues that make life more interesting he hee
2 people like this
@wittynet (4421)
• Philippines
1 Nov 15
@boiboing, I think it's because he shared his coffee with your mom and since there's no cup available, he poured it in saucer. 
But the other people you mentioned drink their coffee from the saucer. Made me think I used to drink my coffee from my glass. Didn't have cup or mug that time. 
But the other people you mentioned drink their coffee from the saucer. Made me think I used to drink my coffee from my glass. Didn't have cup or mug that time. 
@LadyDuck (472121)
• Switzerland
1 Nov 15
Even if I found this practice odd, I have to think that it was common in the Victorian era, because I remember several paintings where well dressed ladies were drinking from the saucer. I have noticed that especially in Russian paintings.
1 person likes this
