BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English

Subject: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Allan C.
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 02:50 PM

I'll be leaving the States in a very few hours to begin a new life in England. What with all the foreigners I'll be encountering there, I thought it might be prudent to ask the Mudcat for pointers on learning the language and tribal customs. (For instance, I've just learned to my horror that they don't have graham crackers there!) I'm sure we have had a few threads on some of the aspects of this challenge. If anyone remembers some of them, please post some clickies here.

Thanks,

Allan

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:01 PM

Surely the election of Arnie is not so much of a disaster that you're leaving the country?
I can't tell you anything about learning to be English, as I'm a Scot and therefore feel that it's not a fit subject for discussion. *BG*

Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:07 PM

Learn about football, forget about folk. Use really boiling water to make tea. If you find someone drinking beer, do not offer to pray with them to help them address their problem. That's about it, really.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:08 PM

well, you sure need to learn a LOT of interesting colloquialisms and spellings *grin*...'butties' are NOT small cheerleaders, and may safely be nibbled!...At least you will have a live-in teacher who can help you adjust..*smile*

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:10 PM

There was an very helpful thread on this.

It gave excellent advice to visiting Americans such as, "Ignore those rumours they might have heard about people driving on the left in this country", and "Never tip a taxi-driver or waiter, because they would be mortally insulted"....

(And there was an equivalent thread for visitors to America.)

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:15 PM

I've heard that 'digestive biscuits' may be a semi-acceptable substitute for graham crackers.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:18 PM

I should have mentioned, there is no ham in Burmingham or war in Warwick.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:27 PM

MMario is correct, McVities digestive biscuits are the nearest equivalent to Graham crackers (and IMHO a superior product).

When in Britain, try not to refer to well known cities followed by their country, e.g. do not talk about "Paris, France" or "Madrid, Spain" and especially not "Glasgow, Scotland". The assumption is that everybody already knows knows where these cities are.

Best of luck and welcome to Britain.

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:36 PM

Allan,

what in US is called 2nd floor, is 1st floor in UK.

And in GB, they don't drive on the right side of the street, they use the wrong side ;-)

Have a good voyage!

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:37 PM

Search for thread titles: "British-American cultural differences" 1, 2 and (at least) 3. Can't copy and paste at the moment, so I don't give the links.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:40 PM

Change your name from Allan to Alien

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: jacqui c
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:41 PM

The most important thing you will need to know is where to meet fellow Mudcatters and folk groups. If you already have a guide go with them, otherwise I'm sure if you give your location there will be plenty of invites to local sessions. We are, despite rumours about our reserve, actually quite hospitable on the whole. It's also a way of learning the local culture, which, as in the States, varies widely from area to area. Don't listen to Greg - we're not all football fanatics and, as a foreigner, you'll be forgiven if you don't have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the game. As for forgetting about folk - Greg, wash your mouth out!!!

Welcome to England Alan - may your stay be a long and happy one.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Morticia
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 03:43 PM

I've lived here most of my life and I still don't really understand the English although I've got tea down pat ( the Irish do it better anyway), kind of know the squire from the bagman and have a loose idea about translating geordie ....just don't ask me about cricket.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: gnomad
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 04:13 PM

By all means try to understand the English, but don't try to be English, we've got a whole set of islands full of assorted Brits, and most of them are English in the broadest sense.

I'm sure your own cultural identity will be far more interesting, exotic even, to the people you meet. You will also be more natural, and nobody will assume you are taking the p*** out of us.

If you do get to understand us please write a guide book; we don't understand ourselves as a rule and it would surely sell like mad.

Welcome aboard, I hope your stay is a happy one.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Alba
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 04:17 PM

No tips AllanC, just be yourself, that way you shall be Special, Unique and Different! Best Wishes to you and to Morticia. I wish you both nothing but Happiness.
I am a Scot so like Giok, I will not forward any advice regarding England or Her Culture but then as also stated previously, you have a very good Live In Teacher where your going so I think you will fair well in the advice department!!! If however you both decided to go North of the Border I would be delighted to pass on some Cultural Pointers..*BG*...
Be Well, Be happy and I wish many Blessings for you Both.
Ain't Love Grand!:>)
JD
Oh and Mc Vities Digestives are definetly a Graham Cracker replacement..in fact they are much better!

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 04:32 PM

Reemember, just because someone is not friendly, it doesn't necessarily mean they are unfriendly. This is the country where people say such things as "They were really good neighbours. You'd never have known they were there."

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 05:30 PM

About time!! Dee-Lighted to hear things are moooving along for you, darlin', both o'youse! With your built-in Guidess, I don't think you'll have much trouble...there's always Micca and the others to fall back on. Congratulations and safe passage to you!!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: harvey andrews
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 05:54 PM

Whatever the situation, say "Sorry" a lot.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 06:14 PM

And in supermarkets there's an endless successsion of "Thank you"s.

You hand the check out person the card to pay, and they say "Thank You" Back it comes for you to sign, and you say "Thank You". Probably twice, because they'll likely have to hand you a pen. Then it's "Thank You" from them when you hand back the signed chitty, and probably "Thank You" when you hand back the pen.

And of course there are the shopping items as well. There'll probably be a few "Thank You"s as you pass them along and retrieve them. And for the packing, that always involves a few, whether you do it yourself or they do. And finally as you move off.

Sometimes some of the "Thank You"s might be "Thank You Love" or something similar. But not if you're a bloke and it's a bloke at the check-out.

And don't expect to be told "Have a Nice Day". If you are, count your change.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 07:01 PM

We Brits would never presume to instruct someone else as to what sort of a day to have.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: artbrooks
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 07:05 PM

If in doubt, consult the dictionary.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 07:37 PM

It's perfectly ok to be addressed as "love" by another man, but only in Yorkshire; don't return the greeting in kind, though, unless you have a local accent. Other things to watch out for:

"Fags" are cigarettes. "Faggots" are a kind of small, skinless haggis (but with a lower cereal content, and often served in gravy). "Biscuits" are what Americans call crackers; or, if sweet, cookies. So far as I can remember, American "biscuit" is more like what we'd call Yorkshire Pudding, though of the dense rather that risen variety.

If you need to buy an eraser, try to keep a straight face and ask for a rubber. It will be easier in the long run.

Never talk about "pants" except as a joke. Be very careful how, and to whom, you use the word "fanny".

You probably know all that already, but it's amusing to mention it anyway. On the whole, I'd say make the most of being a wee bit foreign; people rather like it as long as you don't mind queueing and never say things like "you Brits", or imply that things are better back home (even if they are). Most people quite like Americans (most of us have family there), but we do moan about them, on a generic sort of basis; don't take it personally.

Things like Marmite and proper beer are only appreciated with practice; be patient if you haven't already had the groundwork in that. It will come. We have a better selection of bread than we used to, but do buy the more expensive orange juice in order to avoid too much culture-shock.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Amergin
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 07:56 PM

Tell them loudly about the misfits your ancestors ran off...back to england....tell them that thatcher is the best leader the us has ever had....tell them that the queen reminds you of an ugly transvestite male who hit on you in san francisco...

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 08:05 PM

Don't worry. There are only a few cultural habits that might get you killed; most of them involve driving, so it's a lot safer not to do it at all. Another is looking the wrong way when stepping off the curb/kerb. You're used to looking left first; you've got to learn to look right. The rest you can learn as you go along, and you will have fun doing it.

On the whole, Brits seem to know a lot more about American culture than Americans know about British culture. I suppose it's because they've seen so many American movies and TV programs. Even when you don't understand them, they will probably understand you. If you make a mistake, they will make allowances.

Here ya go. Happy browsing.

BS: British/American cultural differences.
BS: British/American cultural differences 2.
BS: British/American cultural differences 3.
American Cultural oddities.
Cultural curriosities II.
What is it with the English?.
BS: No such thing as British... .
BS: Great British Pubs.
BS: American vs British slang.
BS: USA vs British rude & other gestures....
BS: British vs. American names.
BS: Explain the British system of Government.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Amergin
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 08:08 PM

or say loudly in a pub...so this is where all the australians came from....

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 08:37 PM

And then term "Brit" is very much disliked by a lot of people.

On the other hand people rather like Americans saying "You Britishers", though they'd never use the term themselves.

Calling people "Sir" or "Madam" or "Buddy" would probably go down well. People like having their stereotypes confirmed in ways like that.

It probably won't apply in your case - but some Americans have seriously blotted their copybook by saying how they adore Lady Thatcher. Or Tony Blair.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: AliUK
Date: 08 Oct 03 - 09:58 PM

Never say Vacation as you will be laughed out of the saloon bar. We use cocktail sticks and not toothpicks ( they are used to spear very small sausages and helpless chunks of pineapple and cheese instead of being used to clean your teeth). On a persoanl note, when I went back to the UK in 2001 after 8 years here in Brazil I actually forgot that you don´t usually kiss female friends on the cheek and shake your male friends hands as we do here. My actions caused a few raised eyebrows I can tell you.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: LadyJean
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 01:25 AM

I visited England in 1986. I learned quickly that, if you use the American word for something, they'll tell you the "right" word for it immediately. They will also tell you everything else they don't like about the United States without any provoction at all. They hate Americans in Oxford, not dislike, hate. You'll be refused service in places, and insulted regularly. One female had some choice remarks to make while we were waiting for Sunday services at Christchurch Cathedral!
Ethnic jokes are perfectly OK in England. Bigotry is not something of which to be ashamed. Don't think English tv is all "Masterpiece Theater". There is some impressive schlock on British television. If you're served ice cream with whipped cream on top, eat the whipped cream and ignore the frozen library paste underneath. The gardens are beautiful. There are some wonderful old homes. The theater is marvellous, and I love pub lunches. But the English themselves are small minded and mean.
Mother was a young woman in the 1940s. She admired England and the English enormously. She would tell us stories about their amazing courage during the war.
Then she went to England.
The stories stopped.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: mouldy
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 02:52 AM

At the risk of repeating myself from an earlier post, remember that in a lot of the old towns, roads are called gates (eg Highgate), gates are called bars (as in York - Micklegate Bar = Mickle Road gate), and bars are called pubs (pubs CONTAIN bars).

And a bum isn't a vagrant, either. Butts are the remains of fags (UK version) or something beer comes in. It's also something made of straw that you shoot arrows at. This being real arrows from bows, not the darts used in pubs. If something is a real fag to do, just persevere with it, and you'll get it over and done with!

But you've been here before anyway, so you've at least half an idea of what you're up against!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: greg stephens
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 03:32 AM

Ladyjean: your insights are fascinating. Could you be a little more specific? I know Oxford fairly well, which precisely are the places that refuse to serve Americans? And are you absolutely sure they refuse to serve Americans, perhaps they just refused to serve you?

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 03:45 AM

Lady Jean, your comments are, not to put too fine a point on it, a load of bollocks. There is no establishment in the UK which will refuse to serve Americans. Apart from anything else, it would be highly illegal.

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 03:56 AM

I think Lady Jane's experiences in England are more to do with the personality of Lady Jane than the fact she is American. My own experiences of Americans over the last sixty years are that the vast majority are very nice, polite people but there are a tiny minority who are rude, loud and obnoxious who will quickly bring out the worst in the locals. Also as far as ice cream is concerned you get what you pay for and plenty of American brands are on sale everywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 04:11 AM

Allan, I don't think you've actually said whereabouts in England you're coming to, or what sort of folk music you're interested in. We'd probably be able to suggest some venues for you if you do.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 05:04 AM

Well, I've heard more than enough stories about the rudeness of some of the English towards Americans, or Australians, and heaven help the French or German! That such people do exist is true and visitors should be warned. However, I don't think that they are representative, just be polite back and it will drive them mad.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: sian, west wales
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 05:15 AM

Learn to queue (stand in line) politely. On the odd occasion when someone has the unmitigated gall to queue-jump, react with a stiffening of the spine, elevation of chin, and a steely-eyed stare rather than verbal abuse (although this may be rural/semi-rural; urbanites may perhaps be more vocal?)

If you're staying in a B&B and someone asks Your Beloved what time she wants to get knocked up in the morning ... it isn't what you think.

What I'd call 'hikers' back home seem to called 'ramblers' or 'walkers' in Britain.

Enunciate.

Buy rounds.

Understand that you're never going to win the graham cracker/ digestive debate. Never.

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 06:29 AM

"Bigotry is not something of which to be ashamed."

From the tone of her post, I get the impression LadyJean actually means that.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 06:35 AM

Allan, you will be fine.

I'd be prepared to bet that in a few weeks time you'll be reporting back with the exact opposite of 'Lady Jean's opinions. People here will react helpfully to your sensitivity, thoughtfulness and your intention to get on with people.

I know many people who are delighted to meet up with new people from a different culture to swap experiences. I hope you & Mortie will make a trip up here when you've settled in.

Of course you will also come across some obnoxious people over here, but the English don't have the monopoly on that characteristic...

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 06:53 AM

We moan-a lot. We have a National Press that does not represent the views of the nation, which in the general sense of things wants fairness and justice. It is a rule of thumb to thank the driver when you get off a bus. We appreciate irony. Perhaps Lady Jean mistook this for something else.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 07:16 AM

We moan a lot... particularly about the weather. We always watch the weather forecast even though we know it's a highly contrived work of fiction- which is why my washing is out on the line, wetter than when I put it out, having been rained on...

Electric kettles are a Good Thing :0) (but don't put one on the gas hob to boil as a friend did once after a drinking spree- smell of burning rubber brought him to his senses....)

I look forward to swapping stories from the other point of view after my trip to America!

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Teribus
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 07:25 AM

Hi Allan, pity you didn't mention where abouts you were going to.

I hope that you enjoy your stay, just be yourself and I am sure that you will have a great time.

All the best.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST,Noddy
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 07:42 AM

If you find you you stand being in England dont worry it is natural. All the best places are in Scotland Where you will be made most welcome as long as you NEVER NEVER SAY OR THINK THAT SCOTLAND IS PART OF ENGLAND. If you do ..YOUR DEAD.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: GUEST,T-boy
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 08:10 AM

Oh, and learn to read and write the date with the day and month in the right order, or you will be saying 'Sorry' a lot, like HA said above.

And pronounce it 'Sorry', or they'll think you're saying 'Surrey'.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: harvey andrews
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 08:36 AM

And you can always tell the Scot from the Anglo, like Noddy they have an irremoveable huge chip on both shoulders!

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Grab
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 08:51 AM

Only women have a fanny over here, but everyone has a bum. And a bum over there is a tramp over here, and a tramp over there is a tart over here.

Service in restaurants in general isn't as good as in the States, but service in fast-food places is much better in Britain. I think we've got a better grade of minimum-wage burger jockeys. :-) In particular, you can often get decent fast-food at roadside burger/kebab vans (although this can be risky, as some are merely food poisoning transporters).

In general, American food tends to be sugary whereas English food tends to be salty - this applies particularly to bread and other savoury foods. We don't do "high-fructose corn syrup", but that's a good thing health-wise bcos it gives you diabetes. Oh, and the best peanut butter is made by Duerrs - again, peanut butter is less sweet than the US variety.

The US seems to have picked up many European foods such as pumpernickel. This kind of stuff is difficult to get. Some supermarkets (particularly more expensive ones) have selections of foreign food like that, but generally you can't get it.

As far as supermarkets go, there's a few big chains. Asda is the cheapest and nastiest. Tesco's is next up (cheap but OK). Sainsbury's is next in line (more expensive but better stuff). Top-end is Waitrose (expensive but good). There's also some other ones. The Co-op is variable depending where you are (some are good, some are bad), but generally tends to be smaller local shops. Spar is another one you generally find as smaller local shops - it used to be the only one open late hours, but most supermarkets are open late now. Morrisons is a north England one which is coming south.

Wine isn't expensive over here - you can get a good bottle of wine for £4-5, and cheaper rough stuff for £3 or less. Waitrose generally has a better quality of wine for the same price as other supermarkets. Oh, and liquor stores are called "off-licenses" (or "offies") over here (so-called bcos they're licensed to sell you alcohol to be drunk off the premises, unlike a pub).

There are very few brewpubs over here, in fact the term simply isn't known. Most pubs have a single main brewery that they get their draught beer (bitter) from, plus sometimes guest beers from local small breweries. Plus Guinness, and lagers could be from anywhere, and there'll often be stuff in bottles as well. There are some beers that are nationwide bcos the big breweries have pubs all over, but smaller or medium-size breweries will often have the trade sewn up in the area around where they are.

Re the date thing, if you always write the month in words (or three letters) then you're guaranteed to be OK whichever way round you write it. After working on a project for a US company for 3 years, I do that automatically now.

Any paper with a red top (Sun/Star/Sport/etc) is only suitable for wiping your arse on. The Mail is for ppl who want to read a red-top paper without looking dim. Telegraph and Observer are for Conservatives (right-wing), Guardian is for Labour (left-wing). You can still get decent news from the latter three, so long as you know the political bias to expect.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Bassic
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 09:04 AM

From all accounts if you carry on being "you" then you will fit like a glove! A big warm WELCOME from Hull and get yourselves up here SOON and visit all your Yorkshire Mudcat friends again. A weekend that fits round the first Sunday of the month is a good time to catch the Hull crowd "en mass" at the session in the Sun in Beverley, East Yorks. Which is also an excellent place to start acquiring a "taste" for the northern variety of what we call beer over here. I am sure "Sir Roger de Beverley" will personally want to supervise your apprenticeship on that score! Have a look for yourself.

See you in Banbury.

(You are excused learning to speak and spell in "Hullish" for the first 12 months but after that you need to have a note from a parent or guardian :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 09:27 AM

Not only does our press not represent the views of the people, neither does the government, but then with Jeb Bush and his hanging chads you'll be used to that. We never elect 2nd rate actors to high office, we elect their children and in-laws instead. The reason we don't say London England etc. here is because usually there is only one town with that name in the UK, and it's usually the originator of the name, we didn't name it after somewhere back in the old country.
If you stop somebody in the street to ask for directions they are always strangers.
AND. If you're up in Scotland come visit.
Welcome....Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 09:44 AM

well, I believe I have learned a lot from reading this! I do know that that "thank you" and "sorry" bit seems to be a major cultural difference,*big grin*..in certain parts of America, (south, mostly), there ARE lots of built-in politenesses, but not in most bigger cities. I am sure that shopping and food will be an interesting change for you, Alan, but then you have lived in both city & rural areas here, and will no doubt adjust fine. I do note with interest that there DO seem to be more 'national' brands, store chains and newspapers than in the US, where there are lots of regional differences.

I think I will re-read some of those England/America threads noted above, and see if I can absorb more of the 'flavor' of what the differences really are. I think that Great Britain, having many hundreds of years more continuous history, has a few more cultural 'rules' than this big, new frontier in "The Colonies" (though those rules vary in different areas, most everyone seems to be aware of what they are when moving from Yorkshire to Hull to ...even Scotland.)

I, for one, will certainly look forward to reports, like Naemanson's reports from Guam...

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 10:54 AM

"Telegraph and Observer are for Conservatives (right-wing), Guardian is for Labour (left-wing)." I think Grab might have typed Observer where he mean Times. The Observer is a Sunday paper, and basically it's the Sunday edition of the Guardian. Sort of Labour/Liberal.

If you find some English people to be less than friendly, it isn't because you're American. It's how they are, and it's mostly intended in a sort of friendly way, on the assumption that people would sooner be left alone. It's called "reserved".

If you ever read Fungus the Bogeyman you'll understand the way of thinking better. Sadly, I get the impression that things are changing in the direction of people trying to be bright and cheerful, and that doesn't really suit the English temperament too well.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Morticia
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 01:21 PM

I 'spect we'd like to take you up on that sometime,Bassic and Noreen....we can talk about it more when you and RC take your turn on the Hangover Helper Squad in Banbury *G*....( I did mention you were Duty Back Up, didn't I?)

By the way,LadyJean, I went to university in Oxford where, to my knowledge, American tourists are treated with the same courtesy and respect that they might expect anywhere else in the British Isles or at home, come to that. I simply don't believe that any visitor is refused service, especially in a city that is accustomed to mad and the worse for drink students. If you really were,I shudder to think what you were doing to cause such offence.

Subject: RE: BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English
From: Bassic
Date: 09 Oct 03 - 01:33 PM

Morticia! I thought you said we had the first places on the ER...I mean (N)HS waiting list!! No one mentioned shift work........ is it time and a half btw? (Time = 11.00pm, half of 11 is 5 and a half, 11pm + 5 and a half hours is 4.30 in the morning. Hope this is Mudcat time!!!)