# Damn you Brits! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127 "2009-02-16T18:04:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/61 "2009-02-18T02:39:26Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > [ETA] Oh, and remember to butter the toast. I recall that you Americans have that weird thing about not buttering bread.[/ETA] What are you talking about? Toast is nearly inedible without butter, and butter is the most common condiment. What we don’t do (in general) is butter bread that has anything else on it. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/62 "2009-02-18T02:46:10Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > What are you talking about? Toast is nearly inedible without butter, and butter is the most common condiment. What we don’t do (in general) is butter bread that has anything else on it. You see, that veers dangerously towards Communism, IMHO. 😉 Bread _MUST_ have some kind of spread on it when being used as part of a sandwhich- Butter, Margarine, Olive Spread, Cream Cheese, _something_. Without the spread, it’s not a sandwich, its two bits of bread with random stuff between them. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/63 "2009-02-18T02:59:14Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > You see, that veers dangerously towards Communism, IMHO. 😉 > > Bread _MUST_ have some kind of spread on it when being used as part of a sandwhich- Butter, Margarine, Olive Spread, Cream Cheese, _something_. Without the spread, it’s not a sandwich, its two bits of bread with random stuff between them. Well, yes, but my preferred spread is mayonnaise/ranch dressing (the latter is not usually available unless I make the sandwich myself). Butter just seems wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/64 "2009-02-18T03:03:01Z")
> [@not\_austin](#): > > The Scots also do a fruit pudding (and I’m trying not to even think about deep fried Mars Bars!) as well as square sausages. > [@Lungfish](#): > > [Deep-fried Mars Bars](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-fried_Mars_Bar) are not as popular as some people seem to believe. Not everything we eat is deep-fried either. I’ve never seen crumpets in Thailand, although I admit I’ve not actively looked for them. (Have seen quite a few strumpets, though.) But deep-fried Mars bars are actually served here. At the Oh My Cod! fish and chips shop. They’re quite good. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/65 "2009-02-18T03:56:41Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > Blessings to you (and my wallet is cursing you as we speak)…and my original question remains unanswered. Are they considered good, so-so, or the UK equivalent of Spam or Velveeta cheese? I’d say “so-so”, insofar as they are the _very_ mainstream brand and are better than the cheapo versions, but there are better pickles around. I suppose Branston is sort of the “classic” one, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/66 "2009-02-18T05:28:31Z")
> [@Lungfish](#): > > [Deep-fried Mars Bars](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-fried_Mars_Bar) are not as popular as some people seem to believe. Not everything we eat is deep-fried either. > What Scottish foods do you consider to be disgusting? Sorry- missed the reply. I think you misunderstood what I said- I never said Scottish food was disgusting. I said you could find most disgusting foods in Scotland. As for the penchant for deep fries, vegetables boiled until they are soggy- you don’t have too look too hard. In Castletown I ordered a take away hamburger. I should have been alerted when they asked if I wanted a roll (bun) with it. Naturally I said yes. So, when I took it back home there was a bread roll (unbuttered) and a deep fried mince patty. No sauce, no tomato or lettuce - no nothing. I won’t mention the take away fish. And that was not in isolation. That aside, I don’t think I have encountered the hearty soups that are prepared in the UK that are anywhere as nice. They are superb. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/67 "2009-02-18T05:39:38Z")
> [@Celyn](#): > > I’d say “so-so”, insofar as they are the _very_ mainstream brand and are better than the cheapo versions, but there are better pickles around. I suppose Branston is sort of the “classic” one, though. Ooo, I don’t suppose you could provide some recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![Dublin11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/68 "2009-02-18T10:19:43Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > Ooo, I don’t suppose you could provide some recommendations? See [here](http://www.baxters.com/products/category-8-Chutneys.html), for a brand you might be able to get outside the UK; Baxters. Picallili is another traditional chutney/pickle that you should try. It’s fairly sublime with all sorts of cheeses and cold meats. As for a brand, Heinz make one, though I am not so keen on theirs, because I have been spoiled by the one I get from the lady on my cheese stall in the market. Unfortunately you won’t be able to get that because she gets hers from a very small local company who don’t ship anywhere. Sorry about that. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/69 "2009-02-18T12:30:11Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > I must ask…are branston pickles considered good in the UK, or are they rubbish that you’ve convinced us to eat? 'cause I adore them, and they’re hard to find over here. I love Branston Mustard Pickle. I think it’s a variety of picillili (spelling?) but I’m not sure. Either way, it is lovely on cheese on toast. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/70 "2009-02-18T17:30:25Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > So, when I took it back home there was a bread roll (unbuttered) and a deep fried mince patty. No sauce, no tomato or lettuce - no nothing. I won’t mention the take away fish. And that was not in isolation. …you would actually _want_ your hamburger roll to be buttered? :pukey smiley: ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/71 "2009-02-19T02:21:29Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > …you would actually _want_ your hamburger roll to be buttered? :pukey smiley: Buttered/Maragarined/Olive Spreaded burger buns are very nice. Have you actually tried a sandwich made with butter or another spread, or do you just find the whole thing too alien to be game for? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/72 "2009-02-19T02:23:31Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > …you would actually _want_ your hamburger roll to be buttered? :pukey smiley: Yes, of course. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/73 "2009-02-19T03:24:56Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Have you actually tried a sandwich made with butter or another spread, or do you just find the whole thing too alien to be game for? 🙂 It’s a very American thing. My wife is American, and she always thinks i’m crazy when i begin my sandwiches with butter or margarine. For her, the first thing that goes onto the bread is mayonnaise. I have no problem with mayonnaise, and i have it quite often, and i’ll even sometimes use it in place of butter, but she refuses to put butter on regular sandwiches, whether or not she’s having mayonnaise. For her, butter is for things like toast, scones, etc. I always think that American burgers, when served open faced, look very unprofessional with a dry half-bun sitting there staring at you. Yes, i know people are going to put ketchup or whatever on it, but i still think it’s better buttered. One buttered sandwich that my wife doesn’t mind is the good old chip butty - a white bread roll or slices, butter, and chips. I introduced her to it at an English-style fish and chip shop in the West Village in New York. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/74 "2009-02-19T03:25:09Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Digestive biscuits (which is a horrible name for such a wonderful thing) If you do get to Spain, I almost swooned when I discovered Digestives because they are similar to Spanish “old style” galletas (i.e., the ones from before every single brand got bought by a foreign multinational). Give Príncipe (Beukelaer are the originals, Lu makes them as well), Marbú (sp doradas) or Marías Fontaneda a try. Of those, the ones with the smallest packs (they even have “snack size”) are the Príncipe, which are basically two round marías tostadas with chocolate in the middle. Doradas (“golden”) are the same as tostadas (“toasted”), with a brush of oil to glaze them. Excuse me, I made myself hungry. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/75 "2009-02-19T09:08:29Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > They have variants of pasties everywhere where men needed to go underground all day 🙂 And in many places influenced by the Cornish - like Mexico > **[BBC News | From Our Own Correspondent | From Cornwall to Mexico](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/413689.stm)** > > The BBC's John Egan reports on the unusual relationship between the silver mines of Mexico and the tin mines of Cornwall. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/76 "2009-02-19T14:49:14Z")
Re: buttered bread on a normal sandwich – my Grandma Weinke (whose first husband was a Brit – and who taught me to brew a proper cup of tea) always did that. It freaked me right out to make her a ham and cheese sandwich with butter and mayo, but that’s how it had to be made. I decided I would try it one day – YUCK! I am not a big fan of butter/margarine in the first place, so there ya go. FWIW, she was born in 1890-something, in the US & lived in Michigan most of her life. Re: Spain. If we manage to get that trip in order, I shall be fed well. My brother is a fantastic cook – and knows that I love me some Spanish food. I will be packing home as much saffron and olives as I can 😃 Re: Pasties – aren’t those the food of the gods? Honestly, I have made mini-pasties before that were a huge hit with the family. They’re just a bit labour-intensive for some days. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/77 "2009-02-19T14:57:28Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Of the cheeses, I can recommend Stilton. Stilton and cheese biscuits, with a glass of port is heaven. Damn you! Don’t remind unsuspecting people of the glorious combination of stilton and port. It’s too early in the afternoon for that. Also: scones with clotted cream and milky tea. _drool_ ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/78 "2009-02-19T15:21:40Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > What, not a mention of potato cakes? > > Toasted or fried, plenty of butter and not forgetting a fried egg on top. > > I can feel my arteries hardening as a I type I can’t seem to find them in Scotland (I think it’s the Irish influence as to why they’re common in the NW). All my Scottish friends have never heard of them, and I have to wait until I’m back home to get a load from Greenhalgh’s. Same with parkin and real Lancashire cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/79 "2009-02-20T06:40:47Z")
> [@Litoris](#): > > Re: Pasties – aren’t those the food of the gods? Honestly, I have made mini-pasties before that were a huge hit with the family. They’re just a bit labour-intensive for some days. [Pasties](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasties)are delicious, but typically not edible, and definitely not for the whole family. (Warning, link potentially NSFW.) ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127/80 "2009-02-20T08:19:13Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > I can’t seem to find them in Scotland (I think it’s the Irish influence as to why they’re common in the NW). All my Scottish friends have never heard of them, and I have to wait until I’m back home to get a load from Greenhalgh’s. Same with parkin and real Lancashire cheese. Try making your own and for an extra zing, grate. half an onion into the mix. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-brits/486127.md?page=5)