The culture of Teashops/Teahouses
Tea houses/shops have been a place of cultural significance for China. It has evolved into a dining place for all types of individuals in various types of countries. It was able to maintain its prestige and popularity amidst the changing environment. Two tea traditions seem to have existed side by side. One is that of the quiet contemplation of the scholars and poet -through the art of tea escaping the cares of the world with a few select friends. The other might be termed the social role, the teahouses and teahouse entertainment that have run all through history. The teahouse is believed to have begun in China’s Ang dynasty when shops selling tea leaves began offering prepared tea. Passersby dropped a few coins on the counter and helped themselves to a cup. Historically, the teahouse was a center of social life for the men, as women were supposed to stay at home, and in the rural areas. Carters, and now truck drivers, and peddlers and farmers coming to town with their produce can have a cup, or a bite to eat, and rest up in the shade of a woven straw-mat awning (1992). In cities, a teahouse may be located above some other establishment, or may itself consist of several stories. In the past, the teahouse provided a place to clinch a business deal, and so it does today, too. Where it was perhaps the only public building around, it served as a site for mediation of landlord-tenant or other disputes. Today teahouse conversations may be among friends hatching ideas for further small businesses. Very recently a new figure, the business broker, has appeared, or perhaps one should say reappeared. In an economic situation where business is expanding faster than channels of information about raw materials and markets, brokers supply this information, and even commodities, meeting their clients in the teahouses ( 1994).
0 comments:
Post a Comment