popped up where I least expected them. The most surprising might have
been whenI ordered green tea with sugar at a restaurant. After a pause,
the waiter politely explained that one does not drink green tea with sugar.
I responded that yes, I was
ア
of this custom, but I liked my tea
Sweet. My request was met with an even more courteous version of the
same explanation: One does not drink green tea with sugar. While I
understand, I told him, that the Japanese do not put sugar in their green
tea, I would still like to put some in my green tea. Frustrated, the waiter
took up the issue with the manager, and the two of them began a lengthy
Conversation. Finally, the manager came over to me and said, “I am very
sorry. We do not have sugar.” Since I couldn't have the green tea as I
liked it, I changed my order to a cup of coffee, which the waiter soon
brought over. Resting on the saucer were two packets of sugar.
