Sample Answer
Do Chinese people like to drink tea or coffee?
Well… considering China has a thousand-year history of tea culture, it’s pretty obvious that tea is the most common beverage in China. Almost every Chinese person drinks tea. As for coffee, it’s really new to the Chinese. Actually most coffee drinkers are young guys, and many of them just buy a cup of coffee once in a blue moon.
Do you often drink coffee or tea?
Yes, I do. I love both coffee and tea. I like coffee mainly because of its strong aroma. Smelling the aromatic coffee while having a sip of it is a really nice thing. But honestly, I drink tea more often. I basically drink it day in and day out. Tea, especially green tea, is really helpful for me to keep a fresh mind.
When was the last time you drank tea or coffee?
Well, I just drank a cup of tea last night. You know drinking tea is really helpful to stay awake. I always drink tea while studying at night. It also helps me stay hydrated. I do like coffee and consider myself a coffee lover, but I never drink it at night, or else the caffeine will keep me awake for the whole night.
Do you prepare tea or coffee for the guests at home?
Whenever there are guests at my home, I always cater to them with my best collection of teas. I often make some fancy green tea for friends visiting my home. It’s never cheesy to treat your guests with tea, and in China, your collection of tea shows your tastes in life to some degree. In contrast, coffee is more likely a niche taste in China.
Do Chinese people give others coffee or tea as a gift?
Yes, we do. Giving tea to others is really a common way to show your hospitality or gratitude in China, given most Chinese people like drinking tea. And good tea can really cost you an arm and a leg, so it’s not a cheesy gift at all. However, not many Chinese people are used to giving others coffee as a gift, except some young guys.
Have you gone out for a tea or coffee recently?
No, I haven’t drunk a cup of tea or coffee outside for a while. Honestly, I usually just make myself tea at home, like a cup of green tea or black tea. I know a lot of girls in China like going out for milk tea, but it’s really not my cup of tea. Plus, I rarely drink coffee because every time I drink it, it makes my heart beat very fast and it feels uncomfortable.
Vocab Highlights
strong aroma
having a sip of it
keep a fresh mind
stay hydrated
caffeine
cater to them with
cheesy
to some degree
a niche taste
cost you an arm and a leg
make myself tea
not my cup of tea
makes my heart beat very fast