Tea shouldn't be treated reverently as if it was some kind of ornate ritual. It's significant that, as I've heard it, when the Japanese Tea Ceremony is completed, they throw away the stuff they've made, because it's not drinkable. That's where ritual gets you in such things. Tea is for drinking, preferably by the pint.

Incidentally, having a string on a teabag isn't for show, it's to help you fish the thing out without getting your fingers wet. But loose tea does make better tea, and if you have to use a bag it's still better to use a pot then just the cup, and it's a lot less messy.