Since I was already on the subject of clothing it reminded of another word.
PANTS - These are not what you think. Over here pants are underwear. The things you wear over your pants are trousers. So beware of telling people you have stained your pants.
posted by Yankee @ 7:23 PM
1 comments
If anyone is interested in some new shirts check this out. There is something for almost everyone.
WARNING: not for our readers who are easily offended.
I know this has nothing to do with England, but I thought it was worthy of a post anyway.
posted by Yankee @ 7:17 PM
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After nearly 5 weeks, and several frustrating phone calls, we can now communicate with the rest of the world. Yesterday we got our cable, phone (I can now call and sign up for phone service), and (legitimate) internet. If you would like our new phone number, shoot me an e-mail (from your regular account so I know who you are) and I will send it to you.
posted by Yankee @ 7:11 PM
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If I have managed to attract any UK residents out there, I need some help. I can't figure out which side of the sidewalk to walk on. I assumed the left, since that is the way you drive, but this doesn't seem to work, although the right side doesn't seem to work either. It seems no matter where I go, I am in someone's way. Is there some walking etiquette that I am missing, or are people just trying to run over the lost American?
posted by Yankee @ 7:10 PM
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For those thinking of visiting us over here in merry old England, here is a link to some interesting things about Nottingham. It will even teach you how to pronounce Nottingham. I thought I knew but I was wrong. It even gives some interesting tidbits on ole Robin Hood.
FYI - I found this when I was looking for the local dialing code for the phone I don't have so I could give it to the phone company (yes - I'm still pissed about that).
posted by Yankee @ 6:56 PM
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OK, so we're not having a dinner party. But if we were, I would hire these guys to serve the champagne!
You probably can't read this (yes, there are words next to the picture...) so here is the website - http://www.butlersinthebuff.co.uk. I seriously thought this was a joke, like one of those 'spot the fake ad' contests. After all, the rest of the magazine was just your run-of-the-mill entertainment guide - the kind you pick up at restaurants, grocery stores, Blockbuster...I think you get the picture. I'm still trying to figure out why they named the magazine '69'. I guess I'll have to check out their website - http://www.69-247.com.
posted by Yankee Girl @ 10:57 AM
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QUEUE - In the US we would call this the line. It is what you get in to wait for something (say for instance phone service). Queues tend to be very orderly, and jumping the queue (cutting in line) is not taken lightly.
posted by Yankee @ 7:51 PM
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We have now been waiting over two weeks for telephone, internet, and television service. For those anxiously awaiting our new phone number, you will have to wait a bit longer. They were supposed to do our install today, but believe it or not, no one turned up.
Appparently having a confirmation number from your internet registration, which they encourage you to do, doesn't mean S%i#. All that gets you is 2 hours of wasted time arguing with the phone company, and a spot at the end of the registration by phone queue (see word of the day). Apparently the rule for jumping the queue still applies to those wronged by the telecommunications companies of the UK.
Apparently you also need a telephone to get a telephone, as this is the first thing they ask you for when you call to sign up. And if you can't give them one? No phone for you!
posted by Yankee @ 7:22 PM
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For those that might be visiting the UK, beware of 2 for something sales. Unlike in the States where you get one item for half of the 2 for whatever price, here you actually have to buy 2. As I'm sure you guessed, we learned this the hard way, and paid nearly the same price for the 1 item we bought.
posted by Yankee @ 8:01 PM
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For those that might be interested in what is going on around us, check this out: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/. It is the local newspaper, and is quite useful. The lead story today is that one of the London bombers actually lived in Notts.
posted by Yankee @ 11:07 AM
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Before we came to the UK, Yankee and I spent a day with some really wonderful people at the International Center in our hometown. I can't remember how it came up in conversation, but it was suggested that we try black pudding. It was also suggested that we don't find out what is in it before we try it. OK. I'll try anything once. So during our first week here we had dinner at a really great little cafe. And low and behold one of the dinners came with black pudding. Now anyone that knows me very well knows what happened next. I convinced Yankee to order that for dinner while I ordered a wonderful salmon and pasta dish. I was the first to try the black pudding. Not too bad I thought. Kind of a savoury taste if that makes any sense. Yankee tried it too. He wasn't completely put off, but I sensed he wouldn't order it again. Well, now I know neither of us will. I finally just remembered to look up black pudding and this is what I found! http://www.sausagelinks.co.uk/black-pudding.htm#whatisbackpudding
posted by Yankee Girl @ 11:34 AM
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Today marks the end of our second full week in the UK. We are getting settled and things are going fairly well. So far I have only burnt up one appliance (the iron). Apparently the voltage converter that I was using was not for irons (should have known that by the warning on the side). I also learned the hard way that power strips require a lot of wattage. 1800 to be exact, so they don't work well when used with a 1600 watt converter. This little experiment knocked out the power to the whole flat (read:apartment). Not the ideal way to find out where the main fuse to the whole flat is, but it worked nonetheless. In case you're wondering, it is not in the flat where the other fuses are. It is out in the hall, so everyone knows what you have done.
Attached you will find a picture of our first sightseeing event. This is us in the pub at the Coors (formerly Bass) museum of brewing in Burton. As you can see, I have not quite mastered the art of taking my own picture. The tour was nice, and as a result I have a couple of new beers that I like. If you can find them in the US I recommend Worthington's 1744 as well as their local brew St. Modwen (you will probably have to come and see us to get a taste of this).
For those parents out there, you might want to check
out the attached flyer we found at the brewery. You just might want to have that next birthday party there. Fun for the whole family!
Cheers,
Yankee and Yankee Girl
posted by Yankee @ 6:50 PM
1 comments
A totally random set of stories about two Americans living in the UK. Here you will find details of our trials, tribulations, and even a few adventures.
