Community Guidelines
Tea Tales is a space for sharing genuine moments and connecting over a shared love of tea. These guidelines help keep it that way.
The Spirit of Tea Tales
Think of Tea Tales as a quiet corner of the internet—a place where people gather not to argue or perform, but to share something real. The best tales are specific, honest, and come from a place of genuine experience.
What Makes a Good Tale
- Personal and specific. A single moment is more compelling than a general observation. "The way my mother holds her cup" beats "mothers and tea traditions."
- Honest. You don't need to be an expert. First sips and uncertain discoveries are as welcome as deep knowledge.
- Generous. Write as if sharing with a friend, not performing for an audience.
What to Avoid
- Promotional content. This isn't a place to sell products or build a brand.
- Gatekeeping. There's no wrong way to drink tea. Don't correct others' preferences or suggest their tea isn't "real."
- Controversy farming. We're here for connection, not debate. Hot takes about tea culture don't belong here.
- AI-generated content. Tales should come from your own experience and voice.
Reacting to Tales
We have three reactions, each with a specific meaning:
- Raise a mug (🍵) — A warm toast. You enjoyed this tale.
- Stayed for tea (☕) — You read the whole thing and it held your attention.
- Feels familiar (🌿) — This resonated with your own experience.
Use them thoughtfully. A tale with many "feels familiar" reactions has touched something universal; one with "stayed for tea" kept readers engaged. This isn't a popularity contest—it's a way to show appreciation.
Pseudonyms
You're welcome to use any name you like. Many tea lovers prefer the quiet anonymity of a pseudonym—it can free you to write more honestly. Whatever name you choose, it should be one you're happy to be known by in this community.
Editing and Deletion
You can edit your tale for a short window after posting (usually 24 hours) to fix typos or clarify wording. After that, tales become part of the community's shared collection.
If you need a tale removed for serious reasons, contact us and we'll consider your request.
Moderation
New tales go through a brief review before appearing publicly. This isn't censorship—it's quality curation. We're looking for tales that fit the spirit of this space, not enforcing any particular viewpoint.
If your tale isn't approved, we'll let you know why and give you a chance to revise it.
A Final Thought
The best communities are built by people who care about them. Treat Tea Tales the way you'd treat a friend's living room—with respect, warmth, and an understanding that you're a guest in a shared space.
Thank you for being here. Now go make some tea.