Once, I got "drunk" on tea in front of my boss.

* This article is an entry for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest, part of the "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program, 2nd edition, 2024, organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper.

After graduating in 2016, my first "meeting" with my probationary boss was also my first time drinking tea. The cup of tea was truly appealing, with its natural greenish-yellow color, the hot steam rising, and a subtle aroma reminiscent of roasted rice.

The image of porcelain teapots clinking together, and old men gathered around chatting about life, is familiar to me. However, back then, I never finished a cup of tea; I'd only take a sip and complain, "It's so bitter!"

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My boss offered me tea, a recent graduate, and I felt obligated to drink it respectfully. The first sip was hot and bitter. The second, I tasted a slightly sweet aftertaste. I remained alert enough to continue the conversation with my boss, but after the third sip, I inexplicably felt dizzy, my heart racing, and my stomach churning.

I tried to remain calm after following the "three sips of tea" rule. My supervisor poured me a second cup, just as the conversation was nearing its end. Not wanting to waste any tea, I gulped it down in one go before saying goodbye. At that moment, my vision blurred. After that day, I learned I had "tea intoxication" because my body didn't tolerate the substances in tea.

My story quickly spread throughout the office. My boss looked at me, smiled, and shook his head: "You should start getting used to drinking tea, kid! Drinking tea is a part of Vietnamese culture!"

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From then on, I learned to drink tea like a child learning to eat solid food. Initially, I diluted it and drank a little, then gradually increased the "difficulty." Now, although I can't drink as much tea as others, I can still warmly and sincerely offer guests a cup of tea.