Book thoughts

It seems odd to me that in all the British police mysteries I read that the police are forever having tea and biscuits while interviewing even the people suspected of committing the crimes. I think it would be unheard of in the states to have cops come to the house suspecting you of murder and accepting an offer of tea assuming it would even be offered. I've wondered if it is simply a cultural politeness that supersedes the self preservation instincts or if it more a commentary on the extreme suspiousness of the US populace at large.

I admit that ever time I read a scene of tea with suspects my first thought is "dude they could be about to poison you" in fact in one story the police was actually slipped a sedative and taken hostage but this in no way stopped that person particularly or the force as a unit from accepting drink and snacks prepared by suspects. It makes me realize how jaded I am and how even something so seemingly innnoculous as tea really throws a worldview into the light and makes you examine previously unexamined thoughts.