Nada*
Camellia's Tea House - great tea, hostile service.
On Wednesday, I had some time to kill before meeting a friend, so I wandered around Carnaby Street. I discovered Camellia's Tea House in Kingly Court and upon entering this place I though: Wow, what a cute little place! Lots of different teas for sale and a cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of a garden somewhere in the countryside.
First thing I saw upon entering was a sign, announcing that photos are not allowed. This puzzled me a bit, but hey-ho, if they don't understand what free marketing is and want to act cheap, no-one can stop them. I sat down and ordered a really nice white tea. Their menu was very extensive - that's what I like though, at least when it comes to tea. The tea tasted fantastic and being there on my own, having all this time to myself, I started to text chat to a friend using my phone.
After about 10 minutes of me sipping delicious tea, looking at what other tea I could get after this one, and texting my friend, the (I assume) owner stopped by and asked me what was I doing. I said "What do you mean?" She said "You aren't taking pictures of our menu, are you?" I said - "no, I am chatting to my friend (I even showed her the whatsup app convo) and looking at the menu because I am here for the first time and I really like this place and the selections of teas on offer". She then said with a stern face "Well, do not take any pictures, because everything in our menu has a copyright (whaat??!) and you could take the pictures and then copy our menu". I sat there, with my mouth open, unable to answer. Then she added, "are you finished with the menu?". I replied, "I am not sure, as I thought to try some other tea..." (by this time I wasn't even sure I want to sit in the place anymore) and she replied "so you ARE finished". I said "I guess so". She then took the menu away and left, leaving me again unable to say something, sitting there with my mouth open in disbelief. I quickly drank the rest of the cup and left the place, with a very bad taste in my mouth.
What the hell? This was the first, AND LAST time I visited Camellia's Tea House. I don't know if Camellia is the owner's name, if so, she should change it to Cactus or something. The place wasn't exactly packed at 4.30 in the afternoon and now I know why.
Camellia's Tea House - great tea, hostile service.
On Wednesday, I had some time to kill before meeting a friend, so I wandered around Carnaby Street. I discovered Camellia's Tea House in Kingly Court and upon entering this place I though: Wow, what a cute little place! Lots of different teas for sale and a cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of a garden somewhere in the countryside.
First thing I saw upon entering was a sign, announcing that photos are not allowed. This puzzled me a bit, but hey-ho, if they don't understand what free marketing is and want to act cheap, no-one can stop them. I sat down and ordered a really nice white tea. Their menu was very extensive - that's what I like though, at least when it comes to tea. The tea tasted fantastic and being there on my own, having all this time to myself, I started to text chat to a friend using my phone.
After about 10 minutes of me sipping delicious tea, looking at what other tea I could get after this one, and texting my friend, the (I assume) owner stopped by and asked me what was I doing. I said "What do you mean?" She said "You aren't taking pictures of our menu, are you?" I said - "no, I am chatting to my friend (I even showed her the whatsup app convo) and looking at the menu because I am here for the first time and I really like this place and the selections of teas on offer". She then said with a stern face "Well, do not take any pictures, because everything in our menu has a copyright (whaat??!) and you could take the pictures and then copy our menu". I sat there, with my mouth open, unable to answer. Then she added, "are you finished with the menu?". I replied, "I am not sure, as I thought to try some other tea..." (by this time I wasn't even sure I want to sit in the place anymore) and she replied "so you ARE finished". I said "I guess so". She then took the menu away and left, leaving me again unable to say something, sitting there with my mouth open in disbelief. I quickly drank the rest of the cup and left the place, with a very bad taste in my mouth.
What the hell? This was the first, AND LAST time I visited Camellia's Tea House. I don't know if Camellia is the owner's name, if so, she should change it to Cactus or something. The place wasn't exactly packed at 4.30 in the afternoon and now I know why.