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.

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."

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 :-)

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>

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

Chain smoking boosomy women, hmmmmmmm.

* 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

Oh, I almost forgot--MARMITE!!

Al, those pipes collect rainwater!!!

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~

Ben Haines, of course.<BR>

The view of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.<BR>The gorgeous houses on Eaton Square.<BR>Lilacs in the misty rain near the Dickens house on Doughty Street.<BR>St. Ives under a bright blue sky.<BR>Bits of Hadrian's Wall at Heddon-on-the-Wall.<BR>Cathedrals in Canterbury, Winhcester, York.<BR>Moors, Stonehenge, Stratford-on-Avon.<BR>Can I go back soon?

Looking out at acres of chimney pots and catching the smell of gas "cookers" and very thick bacon cooking in the morning.<BR><BR>One perfect rose glowing in the soft light of late afternoon, growing next to a stone wall.<BR><BR>Stupid 60s song "Engalund Swings Like the Pendle-um Do."<BR><BR>Roast beef on plates and cheeks.

The first thing I think of (and I actually thought everyone did) is small villages surrounded by lovely, rolling green hills. Also thatched-roofs, brick and stone buildings, hedgerows, rock walls, beautiful doors and curtains, interesting window panes, cottages with names, mansions that look like they grew out of the ground, sweeping lawns and, yup, those toast racks.<BR><BR>My expectation before I arrive is to feel more at home than anywhere in the world.

I think of the old gang, Humphries, Mrs Slocum, Hyacinth, Onzlo, Dianna and so sorry if I left out any of my old friends.

Mimi, I have to add to your list Lady & Lord Bellamy, Hudson, Mrs. Bridges and Rose. I guess Jean, Lionel, Judy, Sandy & Alistair also.

I also think of Peter Sellers in London starring in "The World of Henry Orient" with those two teen agers following him all over town.

I must admit that I spent my University Years and those inquisitive years right after as an unabashed Anglophile. It was amazing to me that this tiny Island Nation could weild such influence throughout what was the civilized world. The way in which she maintained peace in that world by consistantly throwing her support in with weaker nations so that adventuresome aggressors would have second thoughts about expanding their "empires still amazes me. Then, and certainly her finest hour, the way in which she almost singlehandedly stalled the European aggressors during the early years of the Second World War at a great price to her own welfare while we made ready for war. The knowledge of what her people went through during that time brings tears to my eyes. I shall be ever grateful to England. She truly is a staunch ally.

Before we went, I pictured rain, dreariness, bad food.

Red double-decker buses, the zebra crossing at Abbey Road, Covent Garden, Big Ben (Haines), warm beer, Devonshire cream, Rupert Bear, Stonehenge, the Hound of the Baskervilles. Aston Martins, Rolls Royces, and Morris Minors zipping down the left side of the road. Liverpudlian, Yorkshire, and plummy London accents. Rosy-cheeked children in school uniforms. British aplomb:<BR>"Nanny, what's that noise?"<BR>"Bombs, dear. Elbows off the table."

Joe, sweet as your recollections are, the "ally' to which you are referring is "Britain' not England. Many Scots, and others, took part in the events to which you refer. Some of my Scottish family were among them.

Beatles<BR>Rolling Stones<BR>Brother Cadfael<BR>Agatha Christie<BR>Basil Rathbone<BR>Union Jack<BR>Cold pubs and warm beer<BR>Monty Python<BR>the moors<BR>God Save the Queen<BR>beautiful gardens

Well said, Barbara.<BR><BR>

Barbara, Emily: Acknowledge fully and respectfully the part "Britain" played, but the question in this thread refers to England. I stand by my comments.

This morning?<BR><BR>France 20- England 15!!

Sheila, I expect your last message was supposed to be lighthearted but I agree with the Scottish nationalist who said that Scots should get over this sort of nonsense. I'm half English and half Scot so can cheer on both teams, but it's sad when one section of the British Isles is so lacking in self confidence and maturity that it can't support the other.

Absolutely. Couldn't agree more.<BR><BR>(I start the therapy on Monday)<BR><BR>Seriously, I do agree, but I just can't help it. Did you see the newspapers? Listen to the commentary? When the only question is how many points England is going to win by; what record Wilkinson is going to trash; how many points Robinson will score (and his WAS the best try of the game, no question), those of us who don't get that sort of coverage are allowed to be a bit smug.<BR><BR>And, anyway, don't forget the Auld Alliance.

Joe, listen up. When I think of Rhode Island, I think of their victory in the civil war. Ok so technically there were a few other states involved but really rhode island really did all the running, they deserve respect from everyone from saving USA from self-destruction. Am I being silly? Yeah, but you are if you think your comments are worthwhile. <BR><BR>hybrid, what have we to get over? Do some british history (and dont tell me you know what you're talking about as from your comments you dont) and you'll maybe change your opinion. We dont get any support from England (quite the opposite) so why we should support England is beyond me.

Once again an angry reply to a potentially wonderful question!<BR>I got to go to England, Wales and Ireland last year, just so I don't misspeak country-wise, and I can't wait to go back!<BR>First thoughts?<BR>St. Paul's Cathedral (I looked for the bird woman from Mary Poppins, but she wasn't there...)<BR>Trafalgar Square<BR>The Changing of the Guard and all that lovely stomping<BR>Richard Briers<BR>Notting Hill<BR>Dancing in the Queen's Ballroom in Windsor Castle<BR>The cheery and off-the-cuff travelogue delivered by the taxi driver<BR>Oxford, scones and clotted cream!<BR>I'd like to go back, too, please....

The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew<BR>The Thames at Hampton Court<BR>The Deer in Richmond Park<BR>sitting in an outdoor cafe with friends and having tea in the late afternoon<BR>Cheese and pickle sandwiches in a pub behind Selfridges<BR>Soho on a Saturday night<BR>going to the cinema in Knightsbridge<BR>Searching for antiques in Camden Passage in the rain