The Mystery of Nasty Habits

I was in the office kitchen yesterday afternoon a few minutes after three, pouring myself a cup of green tea, when a co-worker walked in, poured himself a cup of strong java, and remarked on my drinking tea. I responded saying "Yes, it's tea time, tea at three". He, who is a South American, said "I think the British have their tea time at four of five." Which immediately brought to my mind the first line of the Rolling Stones song from 1969, Live With Me, and I said it: "I got nasty habits, I take tea at three", explaining its origins.

And so, the mystery of nasty habits has been resolved for me after, what, 38 years. I had never thought about it much, but when I did, I thought the proper tea time on the Islands was earlier than three. I should have read more P.G. Wodehouse, I suppose. Anyway, here's the beginning of that song:

I got nasty habits, I take tea at three
Yes, and the meat I eat for dinner
Must be hung up for a week
My best friend, he shoots water rats
And feeds them to his geese
Doncha think there's a place for you
In between the sheets?

Come on now, honey
We can build a home for three
Come on now, honey
Don't you wanna live with me?