--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are some occasions when you must…" description: "\"“There are some occasions when you must not refuse a cup of tea, otherwise you are judged an exotic and barbarous bird without any hope of ever being a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/george-mikes-4493_civilised-society_there-are-some-occasions-when-you-must-n_872698.png" --- # There are some occasions when you must not refuse a cup of… ![“There are some occasions when you must not refuse a cup of tea, otherwise you are judged an exotic and barbarous bird without any hope of ever being able to take your place in civilised society. If you are invited to an English home, at five o’clock in the morning you get a cup of tea. It is…” quote by George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/george-mikes-4493_civilised-society_there-are-some-occasions-when-you-must-n_872698.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/george-mikes-4493_civilised-society_there-are-some-occasions-when-you-must-n_872698.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/george-mikes-4493_civilised-society_there-are-some-occasions-when-you-must-n_872698.png) > ““There are some occasions when you must not refuse a cup of tea, otherwise you are judged an exotic and barbarous bird without any hope of ever being able to take your place in civilised society. If you are invited to an English home, at five o’clock in the morning you get a cup of tea. It is either brought in by a heartily smiling hostess or an almost malevolently silent maid.”” [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Refusing tea in English hospitality is seen as socially unacceptable and marks one as uncivilized. **In simple terms:** Declining tea can make you appear uncultured. Key Takeaway Accept tea to fit in socially. Themes hospitality social norms culture etiquette Mood polite observant conformist Type cultural observational When to use this quote - formal dinner parties - business meetings - family gatherings - host-guest interactions Key Concepts British customs social acceptance identity conformity Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever refuse a social custom? - How does hospitality shape identity? A Different Perspective May pressure conformity over personal comfort or beliefs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilised society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilised-society/) [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Cup of tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cup-of-tea/) [Morning Cup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning-cup-969692/) [Occasions Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasions-refuse-969693/) [Refuse Cup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuse-cup-969694/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Tea Brought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea-brought-969690/) [Tea Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea-judged-969691/) ## Related quotes > [“She could not speak; she was crying. She turned away from him, and pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. 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