Not sure I understand all that! Common sense is common sense regardless of where you are, and taking the time to actually think (which is what the tea-break is) about what to do next, rather than make a panic response, is the whole point of it. And the "tea-break" philosophy has been around for decades - probably centuries - in one form or another. After all, tea/tiffin was an essential component of the British drive and success in forging a worldwide empire on which the sun literally never set, despite only being a tiny island on the world atlas!
Admittedly, there are times when it might not be applicable, as making a cuppa as you get hit by an avalanche is probably taking it a bit too far.... And it is not a panacea/replacement for the gaining of knowledge or preparation for conditions likely to be encountered. But a few minutes quiet reflection in a tricky situation will settle the adrenalin-fuelled fight-or-flight response and allow for a more rational state of mind to address the problem.