Category Archives: British
Very British problems
I’m partial to British problems (you know, these kinds of afflictions), so was pleased to hear about the @SoVeryBritish Twitter feed, chalk-filled with goodies like …
“Assuring your hairdresser the water temperature is fine, despite a strong suspicion your scalp is beginning to melt.”
“Speeding up to pass a pavement hog, then feeling you must keep up the uncomfortably fast pace until at least a mile away”
“The shock of lifting an index finger from the steering wheel to thank a fellow driver and not receiving an acknowledgment finger in return.”
Read the feed and add one of your own here!
Thanks, Vicki, for the tip!
Cheers to gin!
I’m delighted to hear that gin is apparently the spirit of the moment. Consumption has increased by 7 percent across western Europe in the past year!
The last gin and tonic I had was on this month’s Virgin Atlantic flight of all places (side note: my return flight from the U.K. to the U.S. was MUCH better than my trip going over. We went Premium Economy, I didn’t eat the Gu and didn’t vomit once! Score!). Our flight attendant was charming, ebullient without being ingratiating and could make a mean drink! I spotted her bringing out a big bottle of Bombay Sapphire (yes, no minis!!) as she served a man in front of me and something about that cool, soothing blue shade of the bottle inspired me to order one. It was phenomenal!
There’s something extremely luxurious about someone fixing you a real drink, when you’re 30,000 feet up, using a real glass (not plastic), with a real lime and real ice cubes with a decorative swizzle stick that makes one feel positively pampered. It remains one of the top 10 best gin and tonics I’ve ever had!
How do you feel about gin? Yay or nay? And where’s the best gin and tonic that you’ve ever had?! Spill! 🙂
27 extraordinary facts about the London Underground
Apologies for the recent BuzzFeed kick, but this was too interesting to not share! Check out their list!
Do Brits color eggs for Easter?
If you ever wondered if Brits colored eggs in the PAAS style that is so popular in U.S. during Easter, well not so much.
You can buy the kits, but British eggs are brown, which presents its own challenges. It might be the reason for the lagging sales in egg coloring kits.
At any rate, have a wonderful Easter weekend! See you back on Monday!
What to bring back from the U.S.?
If you are a Brit, what would you most like me to bring you from the U.S.?
I’ve been thinking a lot about this since we’ll be visiting and want to have hostess gifts at the ready (yes, I said hostess gifts, not Hostess gifts, people!). Here’s what I’ve settled on:
1. See’s candy. I clearly don’t understand this when Brits have much better chocolate than we do, but it’s been requested before.
2. Ziplock bags. They’ve got nothing over there like Ziplock.
3. Covermate Food Covers. So much better than Saran Wrap.
4. Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter. I have no idea if Brits like this, but I like this and mentally thank its inventor every day.
5. Clothing. Shoes, jeans, whatever! I take requests!
What am I missing? What would you most want from the U.S.?
The Gruffalo now at Target
I was at Target this weekend and ran into a couple of old friends!
Yes! The Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child on DVD, based on the books by Julia Donaldson! If you haven’t seen these, they’re definitely worth watching and keeping! They feature the voices of Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, John Hurt, James Cordon and Tom Wilkinson. I’d venture to say they are modern classics. Check them out – now on sale at Target for $7.50!
Top 10 baby names – U.S. vs. U.K.
Amelia tops the list of British baby names in 2013. (Amelia Earheart shown here).
So what names are most popular in the U.K. and the U.S.? Surely Kate after Kate Middleton has to top the list, right? Babycentre.co.uk and Babycenter.com have unveiled their top 10 most popular baby names in 2013 and the results may surprise you!
The top 10 girls’ names in the U.K.
1. Amelia
2. Lily
3. Emily
4. Sophia
5. Isabelle
6. Sophie
7. Olivia
8. Jessica
9. Chloe
10. Mia
The top 10 girls’ names in the U.S.
1. Emma
2. Sophia
3. Olivia
4. Isabella
5. Ava
6. Mia
7. Emily
8. Charlotte
9. Ella
10. Lily
The top 10 boys’ names in the U.K.
1. Harry
2. Jack
3. Oliver
4. Charlie
5. James
6. George
7. Thomas
8. Ethan
9. Jacob
10. William
The top 10 boys’ names in the U.S.
1. Liam
2. Noah
3. Mason
4. Ethan
5. Jack
6. Jackson
7. Jacob
8. Lucas
9. Aiden
10. Logan
100 most powerful women in the U.K.
If you’ve wondered who are the real movers and shakers in the U.K., look no further than the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Power List.
Topping the list is the Queen, with other notables including J.K. Rowling, Adele and Victoria Beckham (AKA Posh Spice). Kate Middleton is noticeably absent from the top 100, which has created a bit of controversy since she is nothing if not influential.
Take a look at the list! What do you think?
Return to sender
This week, a Christmas card reappeared in my mailbox – a card I had sent on Dec. 3 to friends in the U.K.
Nearly two months later to the day, it was sent back with a simple “Addressee unknown,” even though the address was technically correct. The only things missing were the post code and county (but honestly, Royal Mail workers are usually amazing super sleuths. I’ve heard stories of mail getting to its correct location in the U.K. with little more than the person’s name, the house name (Brits love to name their house! Things like “Woodlynch” and “Swallow’s Peak” and really anyone can name their house anything in the world they like! Imagine that!) and the post code.
Not sure what happened this time around, but disappointing nonetheless!
Take the new U.K. citizenship test
Have you heard that the British government is its “Life in the U.K.” handbook and test for those seeking to become British citizens or settle in the U.K. permanently?
The new handbook and test focuses on British history and culture, with questions about sports, music, humor and historical figures.
Try taking a sample test and see how you do! (I got 10 out of 10!)
BRITRISH.COM 