As a youth I prefered milk and sugar in my tea, but as I gained more sense I slowly dropped both the sugar, and later the milk. I also prefer a slightly stronger cup then I used to, I let it steep for 4 minutes instead of 3. I experimented with 5 minutes, but found it just made the tea taste bitter. Rather than extending time, I now increase the amount of tea to water.

I do sometimes put milk in if the occasion calls for it. And I do like the taste of milk in tea, however, that transforms it into a different drink. Tea by itself is something I can drink at any time, doing anything, whilst with milk it becomes more distracting. More of a meal in and of itself, and thus not something I would drink whilst writing or using the computer.

I was introduced to English teas, where its common to add milk, at a young age, and preferred it to "traditional" tea. It's common where I am from for people to put lemon juice or even jam in their tea, but my mother always used to do this when I had a cold, and now the taste of lemon and tea together reminds me of being sick. I consider that drink to be inauspicious during times of good health.

I'm not a purist, but I am against the idea of sweetening tea in general. You could make a similar beverage by simply having sugar and water. Tea ought not to be sweet, but somewhat bitter. As for sweet drinks, I was recently introduced to Dr. Pepper by my best friend, and now I have it about once a week.