UK Tourist Board Suggestions
Jun 3rd, 2003, 09:18 AM
#21
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EnglishOne....they even took me to the Royal Ascot (within the enclosure...but that is another long story).
I like the idea of queuing up for a taxi in London. I thought that was a great way to handle who got what cab...
I like the idea of queuing up for a taxi in London. I thought that was a great way to handle who got what cab...
Jun 3rd, 2003, 04:13 PM
#24
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I would suggest to the Tourist Board that they remind the population that it is now okay to bathe...there is such thing as soap. Use it. Please.
After you use the soap there is something called deoderant. That would also be nice if you used that as well.
After you use the soap there is something called deoderant. That would also be nice if you used that as well.
Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:37 PM
#25
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This thread was too cute. Very funny lists, both of you.
EnglishOne, take comfort that Australians get the same stuff going the other way here in the US.
My wife has heard some of the strangest comments on her Aussie accent. Constant of course is the question about being from London.
Or South Africa...
Or Boston...
Or Alabama?!?! (multiple times.. I don't get it)
Then there was the guy
Him: "Say, you're from Boston, aren't you? That's a Boston accent"
Her: "No, I'm from Australia"
Him: "No, that's not it..."
Finally the lady for whom we must all someday help house, feed and clothe -
Lady: "oh, aren't you from England?"
Wife: "No ma'am, I'm from Australia"
Lady (long pause, sympathetic look, encouraging voice): "Well, you speak English very well!"
PS, she gave up after day one trying to explain cricket to me. It's now "pretty much like baseball.. close enough"
EnglishOne, take comfort that Australians get the same stuff going the other way here in the US.
My wife has heard some of the strangest comments on her Aussie accent. Constant of course is the question about being from London.
Or South Africa...
Or Boston...
Or Alabama?!?! (multiple times.. I don't get it)
Then there was the guy
Him: "Say, you're from Boston, aren't you? That's a Boston accent"
Her: "No, I'm from Australia"
Him: "No, that's not it..."
Finally the lady for whom we must all someday help house, feed and clothe -
Lady: "oh, aren't you from England?"
Wife: "No ma'am, I'm from Australia"
Lady (long pause, sympathetic look, encouraging voice): "Well, you speak English very well!"
PS, she gave up after day one trying to explain cricket to me. It's now "pretty much like baseball.. close enough"
Jun 4th, 2003, 05:06 AM
#26
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Zedoggy - you are obviously not moving in the right circles, my sweet. 
..either that, or you have been watching too much of the 'Trisha Show' while you were here. Just where DO they drag these people up from on this show? (Like Jerry Springer Show, but worse..) You can almost smell them through the TV screen!
amp;
..either that, or you have been watching too much of the 'Trisha Show' while you were here. Just where DO they drag these people up from on this show? (Like Jerry Springer Show, but worse..) You can almost smell them through the TV screen!
amp;
Jun 4th, 2003, 07:03 AM
#27
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LOL!
zedoggy, a few years ago I read that the British use more soap per person than anyone in Europe, so unless that's changed in the last few years ...
Personally I've never noticed any problems in any of my 6 trips to the UK and I live in the USA, land of the (mostly) clean and deodorized.
I am also reminded of a scene in "I Love Lucy" where Ethel and Lucy are trying to see the Queen and Ethel quips to an unintelligible Englishman: We're Americans, we don't speak English.
And then there is Professor Higgins' lamentation on the state of the English language:
There are places where English completely disappears. Why in America they haven't spoken it in years!
zedoggy, a few years ago I read that the British use more soap per person than anyone in Europe, so unless that's changed in the last few years ...
Personally I've never noticed any problems in any of my 6 trips to the UK and I live in the USA, land of the (mostly) clean and deodorized.
I am also reminded of a scene in "I Love Lucy" where Ethel and Lucy are trying to see the Queen and Ethel quips to an unintelligible Englishman: We're Americans, we don't speak English.
And then there is Professor Higgins' lamentation on the state of the English language:
There are places where English completely disappears. Why in America they haven't spoken it in years!
Jun 4th, 2003, 07:11 AM
#28
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Rebecka - us Brits do quite a good job in ruining our own language, before its even left the shores 
Having said that, I enjoy listening to all the regional accents in Britain. It all makes up lifes rich tapestry. But I do have a funny little story about our South African friends.
I had an embarrassing experience talking to a South African friend a little while ago at a party. He was discussing work and said (or so I thought) "I want a bit of celery". I said, "well there's plenty of food here, but no celery, I'm afraid". He replied "No, he said, I want a BETTER SALARY"! My face burnt. He thought it hilarious.
Having said that, I enjoy listening to all the regional accents in Britain. It all makes up lifes rich tapestry. But I do have a funny little story about our South African friends.
I had an embarrassing experience talking to a South African friend a little while ago at a party. He was discussing work and said (or so I thought) "I want a bit of celery". I said, "well there's plenty of food here, but no celery, I'm afraid". He replied "No, he said, I want a BETTER SALARY"! My face burnt. He thought it hilarious.
Jun 4th, 2003, 07:16 AM
#29
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Which would be better, living in the land of perfect diction, or living in the land of perfect plumbing? I honestly don't know which I'd choose! Those separate hot and cold taps on the sink drive me batty! But, then again, if I hear the word 'like' one more time I think I'll like, scream!
Jun 4th, 2003, 07:34 AM
#31
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I'd gladly sacrifice some ease of communication for a shower stall that's actually wider than my shoulders. And one that doesn't randomly switch between 12C and 50C repeatedly.
Upon returning home from vacation, some people probably look forward to sleeping in their own bed, or catching up on the news, or talking to their friends. I look forward to taking a shower that isn't predestined to incur physical pain and emotional suffering.
Still, I keep going back to Britain year after year, so obviously it's worth it.
Upon returning home from vacation, some people probably look forward to sleeping in their own bed, or catching up on the news, or talking to their friends. I look forward to taking a shower that isn't predestined to incur physical pain and emotional suffering.
Still, I keep going back to Britain year after year, so obviously it's worth it.
Jun 4th, 2003, 12:33 PM
#33
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One of the world's best? I don't think so. Yes, one of the best footballers in England, but Mr. I'm-Off-to-Barcelona (and I don't blame him one bit) can hardly be talked in the same sentence as men such as Zindane, Ronaldo, etc.
Remember, England only did as well as the US in the last World Cup!
Remember, England only did as well as the US in the last World Cup!
Jun 4th, 2003, 02:40 PM
#34
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Hi, I'm 20 years old from New York and my friend and I are planning a trip to London for January 2003. I've just begun researching what to do and see and was hoping anyone from here had any suggestions to offer me? I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks
Jun 5th, 2003, 03:44 AM
#35
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Marisa,
Your question may get lost at the bottom of this long post, so it would be best if you create a new thread.
As for London in January, there are all the tourist attractions of course (Tower, Parliament, St Pauls, etc). Plenty of museums also, many of which are free. I'd suggest at least visiting the British Museum and the National Gallery, plus one or two of the more specialized museums depending on your interests.
Then there is the theatre - almost an infinite variety to choose from. And the opera - the English National Opera, just off Trafalgar Square, does everything in English. Plus concerts or choral services at St Pauls, Westminster, St Martins and others.
If you get a day or two of nice weather, I would strongly encourage getting outside of central London. Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, and Hampstead Heath are all within an hour or so of central London and offer a very different perspective. You could go further afield, but in January it will get dark VERY early, so you won't have nearly as much time for day-tripping as you would in the summer.
Your question may get lost at the bottom of this long post, so it would be best if you create a new thread.
As for London in January, there are all the tourist attractions of course (Tower, Parliament, St Pauls, etc). Plenty of museums also, many of which are free. I'd suggest at least visiting the British Museum and the National Gallery, plus one or two of the more specialized museums depending on your interests.
Then there is the theatre - almost an infinite variety to choose from. And the opera - the English National Opera, just off Trafalgar Square, does everything in English. Plus concerts or choral services at St Pauls, Westminster, St Martins and others.
If you get a day or two of nice weather, I would strongly encourage getting outside of central London. Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, and Hampstead Heath are all within an hour or so of central London and offer a very different perspective. You could go further afield, but in January it will get dark VERY early, so you won't have nearly as much time for day-tripping as you would in the summer.
Jun 5th, 2003, 01:57 PM
#36
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VERRRRY Funny! As an American who grew up overseas, I think most US tourists could use a "guidebook" produced by the locals. It is amazing the things you see American tourists do in foreign (to them) countries. Some that I have seen include, but are not limited to, 1. sitting on priceless works of art (my sister saw this occur in the Louvre!), 2. loud obnoxious discussions on how much their luggage cost(!), & 3. their immense knowledge of local culture (usually wrong...). I know ALL Americans aren't this way, but some are and it is a little embarrassing! I enjoyed your post.
Jun 5th, 2003, 04:59 PM
#38
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Marisa,
Here's a link to my list of websites for London. I put it together while researching my own trip last November, so these should be fairly current. Includes museums, churches, theatres, transport, etc.
http://pages.prodigy.net/drsawyers/London.doc
This is a MSWord document; hopefully you will be able to read it.
Here's a link to my list of websites for London. I put it together while researching my own trip last November, so these should be fairly current. Includes museums, churches, theatres, transport, etc.
http://pages.prodigy.net/drsawyers/London.doc
This is a MSWord document; hopefully you will be able to read it.
Jul 23rd, 2003, 12:20 PM
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Hello,
I was planning my first trip to London for January and now my friend and I are considering going in May because of the Jan weather we are being warned of.We were wondering if anyone from this board could offer us advice of which month to go? Thanks.
I was planning my first trip to London for January and now my friend and I are considering going in May because of the Jan weather we are being warned of.We were wondering if anyone from this board could offer us advice of which month to go? Thanks.
