A few days ago I was at a game chat, talking with people from Europe and the United States.

That's one of the things I like from online games, they allow you to get in touch with people from
other countries, and learn about their cultures and their realities.

And someone asked, what time is in your country? and an Britain said it's tea time. And as a joke
I said, here it´s mate time. Mate? what's that? someone asked. And another player said, ah, yes,
I drink that thing once, when I was in your country, Argentina, right?

I had to explain that no, Montevideo is in Uruguay and is not a state of Argentina.

But he goes on, and says I don´t know why you like that tea, it's bitter and too hot, and you drink
it even in summer, and you all drink from the same straw.

I explained to him that is a tradition, maybe a kind of ritual thing, and that sharing a common
bombilla is a sign of total acceptance and friendship. Like saying you´re welcome in this group, or
in our family.