Pre-reading questions:
- How often do you visit a coffee shop/tea house?
- What do you enjoy doing while sitting in a tea house/coffee shop?
- Which do you prefer more: traditional tea house or modern coffee shop? Why?
Traditional tea houses were built for relaxation and excitement during Qing Dynasty. Before, it was an exclusive place for males in politics and business. Nowadays, the common guests in tea houses are tourists and the older generation. Guests can enjoy scented teas and play card games or chinese chess. They can also experience traditional ear cleaning, eye brow plucking, and shoe shining.
Today, tea houses in Chengdu, China are at risk from the country’s speedy modernization. Hundreds of outdoor tea houses are being demolished to build real estate condominiums. Moreover, Modern Chinese people love what new cafes like Starbucks has to offer. Starbucks aims to build more cafes in Chengdu in the coming years.
Vocabulary:
traditional – existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established.
scented – having a pleasant smell
pluck – pull off or out from place of growth
risk – exposure to danger
modernization – the process of adapting something to modern needs or habits
Comprehension Questions:
- What are tea houses built for?
- Who are the common guests of the tea houses in Chengdu, China?
- What do people enjoy doing in tea houses?
- Why are tea houses at risk?
- What kind of refreshments do modern Chinese people like?
Express Your Opinion:
- Tea is a healthier choice of drink than coffee.
- Modernization causes more harm than good.
- It is impossible to preserve our culture and promote modernization at the same time.