I grew up in the northeast where sweet tea was definitely not a thing. Someone in the family liked unsweetened tea, but I can't remember who. I was allowed a little bit of sweetener if I wanted some, but nothing more than a single packet of Sweet'N Low. As much as I like desserts and fruity cocktails, most sweet drinks are just too sweet to me. I can't drink full sugar soda and I water down any juice I'm served. The first time I tried sweet tea, it was so cloyingly sweet that it made me sick to my stomach. When my friends insisted I have it with lunch, I needed water chasers just to keep it down.
I don't love hot tea either, but I used to sing a lot and tea with honey and lemon is a necessity. While also crazy sweet, I can handle honey as a sweetener in my tea.