#culture #us #unitedkingdom
I love people watching -- and when I'm in a pub, that's almost inevitable.
I recently watched a table opposite me of US Americans, who were clearly here in the UK for the first time, as they seemed rather bewildered. I can completely understand why -- if you're in a foreign country -- even one which speaks native English -- it doesn't make it any easier.
I suppose British pub culture is unique unto itself -- and if you're not used to it, it's going to be weird. A pub isn't a restaurant and therefore some of the expected "rules" don't apply -- at least not consistently.
Take, for example, whether there was table-service or not. In this pub, there isn't -- it's expected you take your order to the bar, and pay for it at the same time. This seemed confusing to the Americans -- and I can understand why if you're always used to being waited on.
Of course -- most of them ordered Fish And Chips, a rite of passage for anyone who's never tried them. I can think of many other places besides this one which do them far better. They neglected to try them with malt vinegar, a missed opportunity!
It was interesting to watch -- I wanted to go up and "help" them, but did not, obviously. I just feel for their situation -- I just hope they weren't under the illusion they were getting the "British" experience, they definitely were not.
I suppose this is the "danger" of travelling -- without the knowledge necessary to work out what the locals do -- you'll fall into these "traps".
I daresay I did exactly the same with with my recent trip to #paris -- c'est la vie, and all that.
I understood the Americans were travelling down to Cornwall, so I hope they enjoy that, and at least eat a #cornish #pasty!
