It's been 6 months since we arrived in the UK. It feels much longer than that due to the learning curve, even if it was smaller this time around. I thought I would pick 10 things I love about our new host country. Some are quirks and others are little things that make me smile.
10. Queues
Not that I care to join a queue if I don't have to, but queues here are an art form. And it isn't just getting line for a turn or for tickets. Many roads in the country are one lane each way, occasionally opening up to two lanes. While some people will get into the second line to skip ahead before the road becomes one lane again, this is more the exception than the rule. If someone tries to skip in line, it is usually an unaware tourist or foreigners.
9. Pub Names and Ordering Scheme
You have to wonder where they come up with their pub names. Popular names tend to include animals like the Red Lion, the White Horse, the Blackbird or Ye Olde Reindeer and others include the word an animal, person or location like King and Castle or Hundred Acres while others you have to wonder about like the Pickled Ploughman or the Hung, Drawn and Quartered near Tower Hill in London. There is one in our area called the Crown and Tuns, more affectionately known as Pudding Face. Why? Because their specialty is pies. Not just sweet pies, mind you, but savory pies. And they are huge!
While I am on the topic of pubs, I have developed a fondness for the pub system of ordering your food and drinks. While not all pubs are the same in food quality and ambiance, many share a similar scheme when ordering food. You walk in and find your own table which is usually equipped with menus. You look over the menu and note your table number which is usually etched into the table. You then proceed to the bar to place your order and pay. They bring your meal to the table when ready and when you are done, you leave. I love not having to wait for a check. And if you decide you want dessert, you repeat the process.
7. Cursing
Cursing is so common here that even my kids were taken aback when they noticed how much their classmates cursed. Just take a look at this fine list of British slang. Now bugger on to the next item on the list.
6. Cadbury Creme Eggs and Clotted Creme Fudge
Like they do in Poland, it may be 2 things, but they are one category.
It's the small things, folks.
Yes, the box went from six to five and they changed their recipe. But having come from a country that did not sell Cadbury eggs and being from a country where they only seem to appear at Easter, I don'tnotice care about these changes. The fact that I can buy these nuggets of sticky gooey creme every day of the year is delightful.
Then, there is clotted creme fudge. These little morsels of sweetness are basically dulce de leche in a small package. The liquid variety is what they put on scones and depending on the brand, it can also be sweet. Or not.
My waistline does not share this opinion on either item.
10. Queues
Not that I care to join a queue if I don't have to, but queues here are an art form. And it isn't just getting line for a turn or for tickets. Many roads in the country are one lane each way, occasionally opening up to two lanes. While some people will get into the second line to skip ahead before the road becomes one lane again, this is more the exception than the rule. If someone tries to skip in line, it is usually an unaware tourist or foreigners.
9. Pub Names and Ordering Scheme
You have to wonder where they come up with their pub names. Popular names tend to include animals like the Red Lion, the White Horse, the Blackbird or Ye Olde Reindeer and others include the word an animal, person or location like King and Castle or Hundred Acres while others you have to wonder about like the Pickled Ploughman or the Hung, Drawn and Quartered near Tower Hill in London. There is one in our area called the Crown and Tuns, more affectionately known as Pudding Face. Why? Because their specialty is pies. Not just sweet pies, mind you, but savory pies. And they are huge!
While I am on the topic of pubs, I have developed a fondness for the pub system of ordering your food and drinks. While not all pubs are the same in food quality and ambiance, many share a similar scheme when ordering food. You walk in and find your own table which is usually equipped with menus. You look over the menu and note your table number which is usually etched into the table. You then proceed to the bar to place your order and pay. They bring your meal to the table when ready and when you are done, you leave. I love not having to wait for a check. And if you decide you want dessert, you repeat the process.
8. TV commercials
You think the Super Bowl has funny ads? You have not seen those on British telly. Sometimes we find ourselves enjoying the commercials more than the show. Take this commercial from Haribo:
Another meeting that could have been an email.
Their sense of humor is well displayed in their ads. Their shows are pretty good too.
7. Cursing
Cursing is so common here that even my kids were taken aback when they noticed how much their classmates cursed. Just take a look at this fine list of British slang. Now bugger on to the next item on the list.
Like they do in Poland, it may be 2 things, but they are one category.
It's the small things, folks.
Yes, the box went from six to five and they changed their recipe. But having come from a country that did not sell Cadbury eggs and being from a country where they only seem to appear at Easter, I don't
Then, there is clotted creme fudge. These little morsels of sweetness are basically dulce de leche in a small package. The liquid variety is what they put on scones and depending on the brand, it can also be sweet. Or not.
My waistline does not share this opinion on either item.
5. Road Rules
4. The People
They may come off as being unemotional, but its more like being reserved and in control of their emotions. “Keep Calm and Carry On” is their national motto.
As in most societies, they do not all fit the mold. We have noticed that while they are very friendly towards Americans, they can be rotten to each other. But that is not my problem.
3. Geography
There are green hills and valleys, stunning sunsets, cliffs, extinct volcanoes, beaches, mountains and lakes. Sometimes you even find a blue Police Box dotting the landscape. It is so breathtakingly beautiful - when it isn't raining.
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| Pink Sunset on the Motorway |
2. Location, Location, Location
If you want to head into continental Europe, you can fly fairly cheap on low cost carriers, drive via the Eurotunnel auto train, or take a ferry with your vehicle across the channel. Don't want to deal with flying or driving? Hop on the Eurostar train and you will be in Paris in 2 hours. Locally, there are train stations every 5-10 miles and you can catch a train very easily arriving at the station about 5-10 minutes prior to boarding.
......and the #1 reason I love this country....
1. The History
Everywhere you turn there is something of a historical context to see, do or hear. There is royal history, literary history, scientific history, art and musical history. Sure, other places offer similar, but British history is the precursor to our American history which is laughably short. There is so much history packed within the city of London that you could spend several weeks there alone and not see it all. Once you get out of London, you see how vast and old their history is. Stonehenge and Hadrian's Wall pre-date William the Conqueror by hundreds and thousands of years. And most of it has survived and is well preserved. Hence why, the best way to see this country, is to live here.
Stay tuned for the Top 10 Things I Hate about the UK!
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