Westerners like coffee, and Orientals prefer tea. Westerners like to send cards and Orientals candy. Westerns drink wine while Orientals like to gamble. These are some of the differences in the cultures of the East and the West.

The cultures, behaviors, and social norms of people vary from race to race, country to country, and region to region. For example, the Chinese bow to one another. Westerners shake hands, hug, and kiss as part of their social etiquette. For the Chinese, if they need help from a particular person, they may exclaim, "I have a nodding friendship with him/her!" When a problem needs to be resolved, a basket of fruit, a box of candy or biscuit often works wonders.

Whenever there may be some misunderstanding between friends or someone wants to make new friends, sharing a cup of tea together seems to be the best way. Many of the world's problems can be resolved at the dinner table, especially by drinking tea together. Nowadays, solutions to many national, community, or social issues can be found by neighbors and professionals simply talking about them over tea and fruit.

The bombs and bullets on a battlefield kill and maim many people, but tea and coffee in a room can settle many disagreements in the world. Many ancients talked over tea and were able to map out strategies and won victories a thousand miles away. The British administration system was also established by a group of people in a small room discussing the governance of their empire. They called it the "cabinet" of the government.

Renowned Chan Master Zhao Chao told practitioners to "go have tea," to help bring about enlightenment. Lu Yu was honored as the Tea Saint for his taste in tea. When tea passed from China to Japan, it became a ceremony. In many parts of the world, it used to be a high-class social custom for the general. Today, however, sharing a cup of tea is becoming popular in the United States. Tea-houses are appearing in many big cities and competing with coffee shops. Many countries in the world are even starting to grow their own tea.

Regrettably, many Chinese people nowadays prefer sodas, mineral water, and juice to tea. In addition to quenching thirst, tea serves to strengthen our respiratory system and health in general. With a cup of good tea in hand, several friends can sit together and sip as they talk about world events, national issues, or family matters. Not only can they increase their knowledge and improve their friendship but also have much fun and gain more appreciation and interest in life!

Therefore, it is hoped that the Chinese can continue to develop their tea and fruit culture and improve the quality and content of the art of tea and not be consumed by the coffee culture of the Western world.