Alistair

Bear's

Travel Page

"Jolly Olde England"

If you've been here before please click on the flag, if not please read the Alistair Bear Guide to Britain (below).

Alistair Bear's Guide to Britain

 Language

Now before we start ,although the British speak English, you won't understand a word they say. So here is your helpful guide:

Now for a few practise sentences:

"Hey mate, give me a pack a fags and some crisps". (Hi, can I have some cigarettes and a package of potato chips)

"That'll be 5 pounds 10" (That will cost a 5 pound note and 10 pence)

"Cheers!" (Thanks)

Eating

Pubs

Pubs are where friends gather usually after dinner (tea), weekends, after work or at lunch hour. They will have a pint or two. Unlike an American bar they do not drink to get drunk. Most pubs are also restaurants (with the best prices) and welcome children.

Meals

Breakfast - Pretty much like home with cereal, toast and tea/coffee

Full English Breakfast - A greasefest with ham, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, fried eggs and fried bread

Elevenses - Like brunch

Pub Lunch - A pint and a sandwich

Lunch - Just like our lunch may also be called dinner

Tea - Eaten at suppertime is their main meal of the day

Supper - Light snack usually around 8-9 pm

British Food

Beef - Bad and expensive skip it unless in Scotland

Lamb - Good (they have lot's of them sheep so very plentiful)

Pork - Best in the world, give it a try. Can be ham or a pork roast, all are wonderful

Chocolate - Best in the world, Cadbury's is a particular favourite

Pudding - Known as desert, they have this down pat. Try the custard on pie, tarts or on it's own. Also know for their trifle

Vegetables - I saw one in a store once, they are not big on vegetables. Skip the mushy peas

Curry - Very big in England, usually well done

Tea - Always hot, iced tea pretty much unheard of here

Lemonade - Don't forget it's the same as Sprite

Marmite - What peanut butter is to America. Eaten on bread and toast (It's a yeast extract, very strong and is an acquired taste)

Bovril - See Marmite, very similar

Chips - French Fries

Crisps - Potato Chips

Pickle - May mean relish not an actual pickle

Jelly - Jello

Helpful Hints

Central Heating - The way they heat most homes. Not very effective, take a jumper or a woolly.

Trains - The best way to get around. You can buy passes, usually buying them from your own country is cheaper. See your travel agent

Buses - Need exact change

Tube or Underground - Best way around London, don't even consider driving into London (prices are determined by distance travelled)

Pedestrians - Do not have the right of way. You can only cross safely at a zebra crossing. Otherwise you run and hope you don't get hit

Driving - Remember they drive on the wrong side. If you are a pedestrian look right and then left.

Roundabouts - Traffic Circles, invented to make England look bigger and drive tourists insane. No way to avoid them. Good Luck!

Phoning - Get a pre-paid phone card from any Newsagent. It's the easiest way to make a call within the country