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-   -   what comes to mind when you think of England? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-england-166232/)

meg Mar 2nd, 2002 08:23 AM

what comes to mind when you think of England?
 
Hi everyone<BR>I'm doing some research on what images come to mind when visitors from abroad think of England. What expectations do you have before you arrive?<BR>Thanks in advance for your contributions.

John G Mar 2nd, 2002 08:45 AM

When I think of England I always picture the Dicken's character, Bob Cratchit, carrying his son, Tiny Tim, through the the lamp-lit, damp streets of London. There is a light snow falling and the glow of the street lamps is reflected in the worn, shiny material of Bob's top hat. A chimney sweep with a face filthy of grime yelling, "Me mum's gonta skin me alive if I don't come 'ome wi' out two far'ings."

Judy Mar 2nd, 2002 09:45 AM

I always envision Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice walking down a lovely country lane...and Pemberley, of course. Lancelot and Arthur, Churchill, the Cliffs, Big Ben, My Fair Lady...all are part of my England images.<BR>Judy :-)

hmmm Mar 2nd, 2002 10:36 AM

Free associate...<BR><BR>England, England, English...<BR><BR>English Patient... the English Patient...<BR><BR>Juliette Binoche!<BR><BR>Give me another country and let me see what comes to my mind!<BR><BR>:)<BR>

Dina Mar 2nd, 2002 10:38 AM

When I think of England, I think of "Think of England" ala Queen Victoria.

biggest Mar 2nd, 2002 10:40 AM

An innocent query but it will flush a lot of trolls from under the rickery-rackety bridge, I'm afraid!

winchester Mar 2nd, 2002 10:42 AM

+<BR> -- Royal Family<BR> -- "stiff" upper lip<BR> -- all those wonderful actors (Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud ...)<BR> -- Upstairs Downstairs<BR> -- Tower of London<BR> --

janis Mar 2nd, 2002 10:47 AM

I have literally thousands of images to call upon. But the VERY first that came to mind was sitting on the lawn in a beautiful garden, drinking Pimms, eating cucumber sandwiches, scones/strawberry/preserves and clotted cream.

Larry Mar 2nd, 2002 10:49 AM

People that have no sense of style. Teeth that are in horrible condition.<BR>That's the first thing that comes to mind.

pam Mar 2nd, 2002 10:50 AM

Many images come to mind but the FIRST was 221B Baker Street and Sherlock Holmes' London.<BR>Second thing that came to mind were "The Beatles"<BR>Third thing was the beautiful countryside.

Ernesto Mar 2nd, 2002 11:17 AM

Cross dressing homosexual men.<BR>Bird-faced pale women with bad breath.<BR>Green teeth everywhere.

biggest Mar 2nd, 2002 11:21 AM

Don't say I didn't warn you. There'll be lots more Larrys and Ernestos I'm afraid until their mommies tell them it's time for bed.

bigger Mar 2nd, 2002 11:34 AM

Biggest-So what? I like reading the funny posts...it would be extremely boring reading without the off-the-wall and sometimes in your face posters.

biggest Mar 2nd, 2002 11:40 AM

Don't say I didn't warn you. There'll be lots more Larrys and Ernestos I'm afraid until their mommies tell them it's time for bed.

me Mar 2nd, 2002 12:00 PM

"How are you luv?" from chain smoking bosomy women wearing too much makeup in too-tight leopard print capri pants. Nearly every B&B has one.

Homer Simpson Mar 2nd, 2002 12:16 PM

Chain smoking boosomy women, hmmmmmmm.

Al Mar 2nd, 2002 12:20 PM

* Lovely children, ugly adults<BR>* Rickety public transportation<BR>* Mysterious pipes running down the outside of homes<BR>* Cold, cold, cold bedrooms<BR>* Tepid beer served in dank pubs<BR>* Conversation is still a lively art<BR>* Kindly people giving obscure directions<BR>* Cold toast served on little racks<BR>* Walks in the rain after lunch<BR>* Deserted churches<BR>* Doubledecker red buses<BR>* Tiny towns with funny names<BR>* The smell of coal fires<BR>* Looking right before stepping into streets

John G Mar 2nd, 2002 12:48 PM

Oh, I almost forgot--MARMITE!!

Tony Hughes Mar 2nd, 2002 12:51 PM

Al, those pipes collect rainwater!!!

c Mar 2nd, 2002 12:53 PM

England:<BR>fine misty rain walking through Hyde Park<BR>the Queens Guards exercising their horses<BR>the waitress at a pub calling me love and pouring my tea<BR>Baps and curry<BR>The West End<BR>pigeons in Trafalgar Sq<BR>the sound of the birds chirpping in Kew Gardens<BR>the smell of woodsmoke while waiting for a train in Richmond<BR>the kindness of everyone I met<BR> all the men seemed tall<BR> all the men seemed like gentlemen<BR> all the women seemed stylish and blonde<BR>Aaahhh to be in England~


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