The Comfort of Not Missing Out

There’s a youtube channel where someone goes to afternoon tea at all the fancy places in London. It may seem like another aspirational lifestyle kind of influencer but the effect has been quite the opposite. It has saved me many times from wanting things I’d think I’d want.

Hannah lives in London and visits hotels and restaurants where afternoon tea is served. They are all fancy and flashy, but, as one would expect, most places serve dry pastries and sandwiches. Service is not always attentive or friendly. While these places may not be consistent on quality and service, they are all consistent on charging people an enormous amount for tea.

Restaurants have been around for thousands of years, yet, it seems only a tiny fraction understand how to deliver quality and service. You would think that would have been figured out by now. People are always amazed by technological discovery—I’m amazed when I can find a decent restaurant that delivers great food and good service.

The fancy restaurants Hannah films are places that I’d be curious about if I walked by. They are each intensely decorated that if you walked by, it’s hard not to notice.

When I finish Hannah’s videos, I feel thankful. “Oh I’m so glad I missed out on such an expensive and subpar experience!” I got to enjoy how pretty the place is without having to endure the subpar food or service. Of course, I understand that if I made a visit, my experience may be completely different. But in a world where everyone’s telling me I’m missing out, I love how Hannah reassures me I’m not at all missing out.

There were plenty of places she had been to recently that aren’t so spectacular. After so many videos, she got a decent afternoon tea. It feels really good when she actually gets a good tea service. It’s not like she hasn’t had a good time before, but it is quite rare where everything turns out well (like in real life). In one of her latest videos, the service is good and friendly (not uptight) and they give you sandwiches to take home.

There’s a comfort in knowing I didn’t miss out. There should be more internet that assures me that I’ve got everything I need.