Kari, I think you're right about the parental (and probably cultural) influence affecting one's tea/coffee/wine drinking habits. I come from an alcohol-drinking family, but they were all about moderation. Being drunk was considered foolish and embarrassing, but regular alcohol consumption at mealtimes, and an appreciation for nice wines, was completely normal. So it seems weird to me not to have a glass of wine at dinner!
Interesting to note the strong aversions that some people have to coffee, beer and wine, but not to tea. It goes to show what potent drugs caffeine and alcohol are. There was a time I did not like the taste of coffee either (although I've always loved the smell), but started drinking it anyway in an effort to remain awake while cramming for exams (a common way to start, I should think!). Now I LOVE it. I started drinking beer in much the same way -- I didn't like the taste, but it was what everyone else at the table was drinking, and we'd order pitchers, so it was just easier -- and I really like beer now too. I suspect your first taste of beer and coffee is accurate, but as your brain gets accustomed to the drug in them, it overrides your taste buds and you start to like it! Because no amount of exposure to other, non-drug-containing beverages (like herbal tea) could make me a convert.
ETA: I know there's some caffeine in black tea, but not as much as coffee. And people do get hooked on black tea, too, but not (as it appears to me, though I could be wrong) as strongly as they get hooked on coffee.
