Thread: Things the average American takes for granted- but you can't in England

The average American seems to take it for granted that this is the English flag......

- but it is actually the Union flag (for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

Whilst this,

(the Cross of St. George) is the English flag.

I had to get that off my chest, having met an American in Paris at the weekend who was amazed that there were thousands of Swedish people in Paris for teh Rugby World Cup Final. He took some persuading that they were wearing the English flag and not the Swedish flag (which is yellow and blue anyway....).

Last year I met an American lady on the QM2 who asked what my temporary tatoo was (I know... I'm sorry...but it was distracting attention from a nasty scar). When I explained that it was the English flag, she refused to believe me. Aggghhhh!!!!

Thanks TG I didn't know that either!!

Originally Posted by pnhmrk

Have you tried either the Spread Eagle in Leeds or the Blue Bell in York?

We tried the one in York that has the local brew on tap--Yorkshire Terrier? (Not sure if that's the beer or the pub). DH and I had beer--a brown or amber ale for me, darkest possible for him. Our 80-something relatives had sherry, as they are not beer drinkers.

I love beers from micros. Problem is, I find an ale I like, and then we go to another town where I can't find it, and have to start looking for a new local favorite.

I LOVE samplers.

Hic!

Kathy

Now, I did not know that about the English flag (A knock on the head, I shoudl have after seeing all the coats of arms while I was over there.

I loved listening to the English. Such beautiful usage of the language. FYI, please remember that while over there YOU are the one with the accent!

things really nice in England that are different than US:

dairy products (milk, cream, cheese) are real, not ultra pasteurized, homogenized, and mediocre-ized

Guinness on draught

good pub food (pies, bangers & mash, fish & chips)(these chips are french fries to US)

very interesting potato crisps (chips to us), like "beef" flavor...you'll be amazed

chocolates, Cadbury's....stock up in the duty free shop if you are flying home

and a chance to admire a country that has a strong currency and vibrant economy!

We have more an more imported chocolate (like Cadbury's) in the States these days. It is milkier and creamier than American Hershey's.

On the othr hand, the hamburger was definitely "different". Neither good or bad, just different.

JLT, did you know that McDonald's in the states got into trouble for frying their French fries in a fat that contained beef fat? It gave the fries a better flavor but got many religious groups and vegetarian organizations mad.

I want to try some of the actual scones with cream. (I think that is what they called the buttery creamy stuff they spread on them) I went to a place that served an English Tea. It was here in the states so who knows how accurate it is.

I didn't realize that about the flag either. That is interesting. I guess it is about the same as our US flag and the different state flags.

I am not too worried about the ice. I am not a big ice drinker. I do keep a lot of ice trays in my freezer just in case though.

I look forward to going over there one day and experiencing it all for myself.

Helen, what you are talking about is "clotted cream".....add a little jam and it's SO good with scones

Originally Posted by Char

Helen, what you are talking about is "clotted cream".....add a little jam and it's SO good with scones

You are making my mouth water. I'll just take the clotted cream with the scone. I did notice the scones are different then here. It seems the place I went was fairly authentic. (it was a brittish owner)

So what is the difference in the beer? I gather it is served warm. Is the alcohol content higher? Is it a darker ale? What else is different with it?