What is the tea analogy?

The tea analogy is a metaphor used to explain the concept of consent. Emily Nagoski, in a conversation with Shane Parrish, likens consent to offering someone tea. Here's the basic breakdown:

• If you offer someone tea and they say no, you don't force them to drink the tea.
• If they initially agree but then change their mind before you bring the tea, you don't force them to drink it.
• If someone has tea with you today, it doesn't mean they must have tea with you again later.
• Trying to serve tea to someone who is unconscious is completely unacceptable.

This analogy simplifies the understanding of consent, emphasizing respect for the other person's current wishes and boundaries 1 .