Tea? | TheaterFire

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Witty_Ad_2098@reddit

A family liason officer will make you tea. That's an officer who's role is to support the victims family when there has been a major crime or incident. Normal police on door to door duty wouldn't do that. Saying that there are civilian employees in police stations who's role is to make food and drink for anyone in the custody suite as well as provide anything else they may need like a change of clothing. A lot of tea is made at a police station.

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catsareniceDEATH@reddit

It's a handy way for another copper to go and 'use the loo', AKA, go and have a poke about to see if anything super suspicious is left out, eg- gun sticking out the back of the laundry bin is a dead giveaway! 😹

Also, in all seriousness, if someone who's skilled in people study/psychology, they can get an idea of a person or their state of mind etc with making a cuppa/watching a cuppa being made.

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rogfrich@reddit

I used to work with someone who was ex-CiD, and she said that if you were going round to break bad news, sometimes you ask them to make a cuppa, because having a simple, repetitive task to focus on can be helpful in those situations.

That might have just been her though, rather than any official policy.

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jonnybee2041@reddit

Also, every tradesperson that visits your home gets a cup of tea, it's not even a question.

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Sensitive-Exchange84@reddit

I like that! I (an American) had my daughter's nursery furniture delivered right before she was born. We paid extra to include assembly. It was the middle of August and stupidly hot. I have air con but it couldn't really keep up in the extreme heat, so I planned ahead and set it extra low so the workers would be comfortable. (And me as well, at 39 weeks...)

Obviously I offered them a cold drink when they arrived, which they gratefully accepted. Then we had an interesting conversation. You see, we weren't wealthy, but my now-ex bought very expensive Italian furniture for the nursery. The delivery/ assembly guys were actually surprised that I offered them a drink. They told me that they've learned that the nicer the furniture and the fancier the house, the worse they are treated by the customer. Apparently it goes beyond ignoring the social niceties; they were treated like servants and ordered about in some cases. Apparently money can't buy class.

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Hamsternoir@reddit

It seems to be similar here as well with that attitude, there are exceptions but broadly speaking it's the case.

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pelvviber@reddit

From working in an exclusive private hospital my experience was that the landed gentry are much nicer to us plebs than the very rich city types. The gentry knows how to treat people properly and the rich gits I came across didn't have a fucking clue and were just intolerable.

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sweetvioletapril@reddit

I agree with this. I once went to work as a private nurse for a wealthy, titled family at their London house. Due to a mix up by the agency, I arrived a day early, and my room was not ready. There were several people in the house, and I wasn't quite sure who was who, but I was invited to sit and take tea. An older lady fetched a vacuum cleaner and bedlinen, and disappeared. It was only later that I discovered that she was the mother of the man I was to work for, and also titled. She was also so nice and without a trace of snobbery.

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pelvviber@reddit

That's a thing called "class". I'm not rich but I think I've taught my children to be good people, "classy" people. And let's never forget that money doesn't buy class.

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InternationalBoss768@reddit

Can second that. Between herself and I we know maybe 7 or 8 lords and only one's an a/hole. Compare that proportion with the general population you come across.

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Theal12@reddit

new money is often most interested in bullying other people

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pelvviber@reddit

That certainly matches my experience. It's just that they haven't had any chance to learn about appropriate behaviour around paupers!

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EUskeptik@reddit

Especially if they prefer, or only drink coffee.

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vikatoyah@reddit

We’ve just had a big building project done and the firm thanked us in writing for being lovely to work for. All we did was pay on time, chat to them a bit (like you do with people visiting your house) and make sure they had plenty to drink, hot or cold. Normal behaviour imo but it really makes me wonder how others treat their tradies for that to be special.

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Kaiyead@reddit

Some would. Most British Bobbies are sensible and appropriate. Is the situation not time-sensitive, and might a cuppa help somebody, then yes, many would. Even in this day.

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InternationalBoss768@reddit

As a police officer of some 30 years, although retired for over 20 yrs now, I had to inform many people of the death of family or friends. Making a brew was a standard. Also, irrespective of the family's view of the police you made more of an impression and friends for life by dealing with a sudden death efficiently. Folk are not used to dealing with death these days, unlike in my youth, so offering to contact other relatives and friends, suggesting an undertaker and contacting them, and just being available held you in good stead in the community for life.

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scarletOwilde@reddit

Yes, it’s a great excuse to snoop around.

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Great_Tradition996@reddit

Police officer here. I have definitely made tea for people in their own homes if the circumstances called for it. Usually if someone was particularly distressed and I needed to emotionally ‘normalise’ them

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AnotherLexMan@reddit

I got mugged once and had two sets of police officers at my house. Neither set made me tea and I didn't make them tea.

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Adelehicks@reddit

You were robbed

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MLAheading@reddit

He certainly wasn’t mugged

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UnderstandingSmall66@reddit

r/angryupvote

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Adelehicks@reddit

Think we’re onto something 😂

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CalmClient7@reddit

They were mugging you off :(

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Mental-Risk6949@reddit

They probably weren't real police officers.

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Viva_Veracity1906@reddit

I got arrested once, it was an obvious stitch up that frustrated the officers and they were lovely. Refused to cuff me, gave me a cigarette, a comfie sweatshirt, advised me to stick to the hot chocolate as the tea and coffee were both rank at that custody centre, apologized for the limited supply of books and had me interviewed, released without charge and out in a hotel (Premier Inn) they paid for from a discretionary fund in 5 hours. Would definitely expect them to make tea at mine in a crisis situation to comfort someone.

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LegenDaisy@reddit

I'm curious as to the circumstances, if you're willing to share.

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elementarydrw@reddit

I am in the forces. I am trained/entrusted as a officer to be the person to break the devastating news of a service persons death to their family. We always perform the role in pairs, with one breaking the news, and the other on hand to help. The second person (often a padre) is also instructed to, when appropriate, make tea to help combat possible shock.

I'm not a copper, but I would imagine they have similar training for breaking news in people's houses.

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cakesforever@reddit

If someone is distressed like an older person some definitely will. Paramedics are known to do it too.

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Ururuipuin@reddit

My Dad was at home when he died and within 30secs of realising the kettle was in. We also offered the paramedics who confirmed it a cuppa.

Every piece of news good or bad is followed or accompanied by a cuppa.

I'm huge Terry Pratchett fan and when I read the news he died I was on the play ground picking up the younger kids. My elder daughter was at home and as I walked through the door a mug was put in my hand. I class it as one of the moments I knew I raised them right.

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paulcager@reddit

It depends on the context.

If they have just broken your door down and they have you in cuffs while armed officers search upstairs, then probably not.

If they've just told you a family member has died in an accident, then probably yes.

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ButteredNun@reddit

Every time someone gets murdered in my home the police have come round and put the kettle on. I think they’re starting to get suspicious, but I could murder a cuppa.

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That_Northern_bloke@reddit

Do you live in Midsomer?

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Ok-Blackberry-3534@reddit

The only living soul left.

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That_Northern_bloke@reddit

For now

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AceOfSpades532@reddit

Just make sure you don’t murder a copper!

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Free-Question-1614@reddit

r/beatmetoit

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Have had emergency first responders make tea before but district nurses not police. They were laying out my Dad. I can imagine police doing same if dealing with traumatised people. It gives a few moments to regroup and normalises shift from crisis to relief.

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KingForceHundred@reddit

It’s the ‘Specially Trained Officers’ we are always hearing about.

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PigHillJimster@reddit

A family liaison officer may do when in the home of a relative of victim.

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IanM50@reddit

There was a incident in my local paper last week, where it was reported the two police offers did exactly that as part of supporting the wife.

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J-c-b-22@reddit

At that point, most people are very flustered and need someone else to do the thinking for them. Sometimes, compassion is more than just your job, and it's the sitting there and listening over a cuppa

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TheAmazingSealo@reddit

Pretty sure you'd usually make them tea, unless like they've told you yer mums just been ran over or something in which case they might get tea to calm the nerves and that.

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CharmingMeringue@reddit

Everyone gets a cup of tea i(or maybe coffee) n a British house - regardless. Coppers, tradespeople, neighbours. I was once the driver involved in a nasty accident with a pissed as a fart pedestrian; this was about 2AM on Sunday morning. Police attended , we all went into the house near the accident and everyone got a cup of tea - mine was allowed after I was breathalysed with a zero alcohol result.

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anabsentfriend@reddit

I used to be a csi and would often make tea for elderly or vulnerable people if I was in their homes. I also fixed a lady's telly and put some curtains up. A colleague of mine took someone's dog for a walk.

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Dizzy_Guest8351@reddit

If the town's tea siren goes off when they're there, and you're too upset to make tea yourself, they'll make you a cup. Police officers are human after all. They don't want to have to arrest you for not drinking tea after the siren, if you've just had some very bad news from them.

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LonelyOctopus24@reddit

Our town’s tea klaxon kept going off all yesterday afternoon, I think it was the heat setting it off. Every five minutes, there we were, putting the kettle on, shaking the biscuit tin, then Brenda at no.43 pointed out it was just someone’s car alarm.

I never heard anything so ridiculous - who gets a car alarm that sounds exactly like the tea klaxon?? Must be one of them foreign cars.

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oxgillette@reddit

Only if they're in the house when the teatime alarm goes off.

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Sensitive-Exchange84@reddit

You set an alarm? Really?

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anticipation-station@reddit

They mean the siren

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Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

The government sets the alarm…

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MWleFylde@reddit

Shhh. Don't tell them about the teatime alarm.

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toroferney@reddit

Oh god I’ve just remembered (sorry this is miserable) that I got assaulted as a child on holiday abroad (Europe) and when the police turned up to our apartment my mum made me make them all a cup of tea. Assume as a distraction (if I’m being kind to her). I remember it as there was another British woman there and she helped me but she put the milk in before the hot water the animal.

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Peanut0151@reddit

They wouldn't be making tea in my house. Probably an excuse to look through my kitchen cupboards. And I'm fussy about how my tea is made

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UKguy111@reddit

As much as all American cops eat donuts continuously.

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Jumpy-Sport6332@reddit

We also make burglars tea! http://www.vintagechildrensbooksmykidloves.com/2011/09/mog-forgetful-cat.html?m=1

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SitamoiaRose@reddit

I love that book! Actually, I just love Mog books but that scene has always made me smile.

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FidgetyHog@reddit

Mog and Bunny was our favourite. It was dripping off her nose!

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Jumpy-Sport6332@reddit

Me too! The audiobook is hilarious too with the burglar complaining how unfair it all is, he was just trying to do a bit of burgling!

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SitamoiaRose@reddit

🤣 I must track that down. Judith Kerr had such a delightful sense of humour and the illustrators captured so many expressions on Mog’s face.

I don’t read Goodbye Mog too often though 😭

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gammapatch@reddit

When my grandad died in his house one of the police officers who attended indeed made tea for us while we were waiting for him to be collected. Brits often will immediately put the kettle on in times of crisis and with a grieving family it’s considered a curtesy. (My grandad wasn’t murdered but because he was alone and found it was protocol that the police had to stay.)

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PhyllostachysBitch@reddit

Yes

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Boldboy72@reddit

Probably, no experience of it but the importance of Tea in Britain cannot be stressed enough.

All UK military tanks are required to have tea making facilities as part of their design, this should tell you how important to morale this is considered.

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blueskyswim@reddit

Absolutely yes. As a recipient of very bad news once I can confirm one police officer sat with me while the other went in and made me a cup of tea. I hadn’t asked for it but was grateful for it. Tea literally soothes everything.

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DreadLindwyrm@reddit

I've never had the police make me tea, but then I've never had them come round to inform me of dead relatives/friends, or question me about a murder. I *did* once get them come round about a missing person in the area, but it was "have you seen this person recently?" levels of questions, and they left when I replied in the negative.

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vinylemulator@reddit

Ha suckers fell for it

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lucky1pierre@reddit

In my experience - only when the tea alarm goes off. If they're not there for long enough, they won't bother.

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Clear-Mix1969@reddit

Do you mean do people make police officers a cup of tea when they're at someone’s home?

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jonnybee2041@reddit

When the police come to your house to deliver bad news, one will sit on the sofa with you while the other makes a cuppa. Happens every time 😁

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Breakwaterbot@reddit

Happened to me this morning. There I was, minding my own business, and this copper came in and made me a cuppa char. Didn't even ask how I liked it. Just made it for me and sat there while I drank it.

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jonnybee2041@reddit

Sorry for your loss 🙏🏼

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deadgoodundies@reddit

As far as I know yes. It's a way to help calm and help a person be more able to talk.
My wife was a newspaper journalist in 80's-90's and her tactic when called out on deaths was when she got to the families home was to knock on the door and tell the person who answered who she was and for them to tell her to go away. 9 times out of 10 she would be invited in and she would make the tea and the family would then open up and talk to her about the person either whilst she was making the tea in the kitchen or sitting down with the rest of the family. When something as tragic as a death happens , people want to talk to someone about it and unfortunately one of the most common questions was "did they suffer"
She covered this story back in 82 where literally one of the women who was in the tea shop was caught between the truck and a wall and crushed.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/07/06/A-runaway-60-ton-slag-truck-rammed-and-demolished-a/8551394776000/

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Hippadoppaloppa@reddit

Correct me if I'm wrong, police of Reddit, but I dont think police are allowed to accept any food or drink at anyone's house nowadays?

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Mavisssss@reddit

I am an Australian living in the UK and it's culturally very similar to Aus, except there seem to be more rules about when to offer tea and it being offensive if you don't. I usually to offer it to workmen who come around to fix anything and I'm lucky that my office doesn't seem to do the major tea rounds where you have to ask 20 people if they want tea and then remember all the orders.

I think if there is any doubt at all in the UK, it's wiser to offer people tea, so I would absolutely believe the police came over sat down and offered to make a cup of tea. I watch the show 'Ambulance' and paramedics are always offering to make a cup of tea (sometimes it's due to low blood sugar, but I also think that British people, culturally, are always in need of a cup of tea).

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Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

Yes. When a family member died, some police came to the house (normal protocol apparently) and they made us cups of tea.

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batch1972@reddit

Was a serious crime down the road from my nan. The nosy old bat was down their like a flash with a pot of tea and some rich teas for the rozzas

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harrietmjones@reddit

If tea is being brewed, it would be the other way around most likely.

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missmotivator@reddit

Yes, was once victim of a crime, an officer went into kitchen and began making tea, I think it’s a rapport technique, way of calming, disarming you and gives them the opportunity to question you and separate people to check you’re telling the same story.

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