# Things I missed from England **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037 "2003-08-18T20:27:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/21 "2003-08-19T10:04:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndrewT \* > \*\*\>Please. If an American went to England and left it saying they were sick of hearing about English history they would be roasted. > > Not at all, they would understand perfectly and not be offended in the slightest.\*\* :dubious: There are polite ways of expressing one’s nostalgia for one’s home country, as plenty of other posters in this thread have shown. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/22 "2003-08-19T10:11:47Z")
Bingo halls! Trousers! Lionel Blair! ---
**Author:** ![frookah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@frookah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frookah)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/23 "2003-08-19T10:13:04Z")
The weather here is lovely and mild and civilized. Very rarely can the weather on this island kill you. Having lived in GA, FL and NC, I can tell you one thing, and that’s that rain and fog beat the hell out of Meteorological violence. The weather in the SE of England is ideal. The summers are lovely and the winters are gentle but asmospheric and cozy. The area is verdant and amazingly lush and it’s due to the beautiful English weather. If one were ever to spend an August afternoon in Windsor Great Park or a May morning being whipped round on a Scottish hillside, of even a November evening swimming to the pub 🙂 I reckon one’s attitude about what constitutes good weather might shift slightly. SO THERE! (Pre-emptive-I mean whipped by the wind, not being whipped by a fine figure of a Scotsman. )😛 ---
**Author:** ![frookah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@frookah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frookah)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/24 "2003-08-19T10:15:16Z")
Although, should I ever leave these lovely isles, I would indeed miss being whipped by fine Scotsmen. God save all here. _Drifts off into a reverie, A rainy night in Edinburgh…_ ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/25 "2003-08-19T10:16:01Z")
Being charitable re. the “history” controversy, perhaps the overemphasis on American history was a facet of her individual holiday/trip, rather than the country itself. I have to say, in my comprehensive experience of the US, I’ve always had to seek out historical detail - it’s not the kind of thing that is shoved down one’s throat (flag-waving patriotism’s a different matter). 😉 (Personally, I would understand if an American tourist got a bit bored of English history - it’s kind of in-your-face, what with the ancient architecture everywhere.) What I miss from England: the health service, people obeying traffic laws, toasted teacakes, Frank Cooper’s thick cut Oxford marmalade, somewhat cheaper cost of living, the countryside (Ireland’s got lovely countryside, of course, but it’s different). ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/26 "2003-08-19T10:32:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndrewT \* > \*\*Fair enough, surely. You yanks are so hypersensitive. \*\* And poms are such whingers. :: d & r :: ---
**Author:** ![frookah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@frookah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frookah)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/27 "2003-08-19T11:01:19Z")
Warick Castle. St Augustine, Florida. Which is worse? ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/28 "2003-08-19T11:15:29Z")
Well nice one, **thumbupmybum** , now you made me go and defrost a pastie! And **ruadh** , you made me go pppprrrrrrr and click my teeth. Stop being so silly. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/29 "2003-08-19T11:39:08Z")
Well it’s not as ugly as I feared, but it’s heading in that direction. **AndrewT** , **Niggle** , **fizzygoodmakefeelnice** – when you’ve been here a bit longer you’ll find that **ruadh’s** comment about the “ugly American” tourist is correct. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > Jumpers for goalposts! Bunting! Matrons knickers! She’s not going to like being third in that list is she? You’ll need an exercise book down the back of your trousers if she sees it. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aesiron \* > Blackcurrent? Is that like licorice? No, [these are blackcurrants](http://www.cornhillnursery.com/images/fruit/blackcurrant.jpg). They’re used for the standard “purple” flavour in sweets (candy) over here. Other than juice and wine we rarely have anything grape-flavoured. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > Bingo halls! Trousers! Lionel Blair! I’m Lionel Blair; my trousers flair; I favour women’s underwear :). Personally I’ve never missed anything about England when I’ve been abroad, but am always happy to be home when I am. To me the whole point about being in a foreign country is finding out what it’s like there and what makes the people tick. ---
**Author:** ![Dawne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Dawne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dawne)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/30 "2003-08-19T11:54:26Z")
Very sorry if i offended anyone, which i clearly have. (This answer may not say what i first intended it to, i somehow managed to delete my first version a minute ago now I’m having to write the whole damn thing again so it’ll probably be shorter. Grrr) ruadh, I only meant that much of the holiday felt like a field trip because i didn’t choose where i was going at all because the whole thing was a guided tour. They didn’t mention in the information they sent us that we’d be learning about American history so often and i just can’t help finding it dull. I would totally understand if an American complained about being forced to visit endless English historical sites, i probably would myself. As somebody suggested, i enjoyed the rest of the holiday. As for missing the weather, i like my summers cold and my winters freezing. I felt very ill in the heat some days. And cold toast - I ate breakfast in cafes everyday and it was served cold everyday. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/31 "2003-08-19T12:09:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frookah \* > \*\*The weather in the SE of England is ideal. The summers are lovely and the winters are gentle but asmospheric and cozy. The area is verdant and amazingly lush and it’s due to the beautiful English weather. > > If one were ever to spend an August afternoon in Windsor Great Park or a May morning being whipped round on a Scottish hillside, of even a November evening swimming to the pub 🙂 I reckon one’s attitude about what constitutes good weather might shift slightly.\*\* Extremely doubtful. The weather was the one thing I absolutely hated when living in England (Winchester and London). It was never sunny in the summer - and by sunny I mean, perfect blue sky and warm enough to lay out in. Perfectly miserable. And drizzly. In the summer. What’s up with that? Now after growing up in Southern California - that is perfect weather. Never too hot in the summer, never too cold in the winter. Not really humid. Doesn’t rain between May and November. Just perfect beach weather all summer long. _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/32 "2003-08-19T12:17:05Z")
Yeah well Irish weather is better than everyones elses. Infact Irish EVERYTHING is better so HA HA ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/33 "2003-08-19T12:36:59Z")
Fair enough Dawne. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/34 "2003-08-19T13:09:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yojimbo \* > \*\*Infact Irish EVERYTHING is better so HA HA \*\* Except the Yorkshire Relish apparently ;). **Dawne** : cold toast is one of the things Americans have complained about finding over here. It must be a hotel/café thing. **Neurotik** : you should’ve been here this summer; the temperature crept over 100F a week ago and there has been more blue sky than you could shake a stick at. It’s currently 72F in London, but a little cloudy. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/35 "2003-08-19T13:54:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by everton \* > \*\ ***Neurotik** : you should’ve been here this summer; the temperature crept over 100F a week ago and there has been more blue sky than you could shake a stick at. It’s currently 72F in London, but a little cloudy. \*\* Yeah, I heard. A friend of mine from England was out here for the summer. 100F is a bit much, though…I’m thinking in the low 90s. Mmmmmm…SoCal weather. On a related note, the weather here in DC sucked this summer. It rained a lot. Which is crappy. I had to cancel a few bike trips. And it didn’t get that hot at all - which was actually nice compared to the usual DC summer temps. But yeah, I think you guys stole our weather. You can keep the heat, but give us back our pleasant sunshine. ---
**Author:** ![Dawne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Dawne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dawne)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/36 "2003-08-19T13:54:20Z")
Another thing i missed was the tap water. Sometimes when i drank some in America it had quite a strong taste. On a good day over hear it almost tastes of nothing at all. There is one thing I’ll really miss about America - a great clothes shop called American Eagle Outfitters. I found it in New York but it seems like the kind of shop that would have some in other places, i spent most of my money in there. Hmm, i wonder if they deliver things to England when you order off the website… ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/37 "2003-08-19T14:05:40Z")
Well, I haven’t been to England in far too long, but I really miss cheap Indian takeaway and all the different varieties of curry paste in the supermarket, especially the tikka masala and korma. We get mild and hot here, if we’re lucky. And proper-sized pint glasses. I would love to have a few of those at home. And the secondhand book shops in the UK are _much_ more intriguing than the ones we have here. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/38 "2003-08-19T16:16:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neurotik \* > \*\* > > Now after growing up in Southern California - that is perfect weather. Never too hot in the summer, never too cold in the winter. Not really humid. Doesn’t rain between May and November. Just perfect beach weather all summer long. _sigh_ \*\* All summer long? Hah! Before mid July we’re lucky if the sun manages to peep through the clouds for a couple of hours in the afternoon. The term “June Gloom” is well-known to Southern Californians and refers to prevalence of overcast skies along the beach from May to July. Though I have to concede that the late summer usually makes up for it. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/39 "2003-08-19T17:01:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Blackcurrent skittles. I had a nasty shock when i ate a vile grape one. Pfft! _Skittles_. > [@](#): > > English accents. I was beginning to get sick of hearing American accents and odd phrases Yes, English accents are quite amusing (understatement) and are well worth the trip there. > [@](#): > > Real chocholate - Hersheys is bland and tastes a bit like mud, although the cookies and cream one was ok Hello! We do imports! U.S. chocolate lovers can avoid Hershey’s just like anyone else in the world. > [@](#): > > Chips. As in fish and chips, only without the fish. Fries just aren’t the same, especially without my beloved vinegar. Also chip cobs. Uh, we _have_ vinegar. We also have vegetable oil; so you can dump some on your fries to make them more like “chips”. > [@](#): > > British weather, although it was much hotter over here while i was away. We have all sorts of climate control solutions. > [@](#): > > My best friend (who just signed into msn and is screaming with joy) America is full of best friends. You could have easily found one here. > [@](#): > > warm toast Most perplexing one of all. You didn’t realize that toasting-machines existed in the U.S.? > [@](#): > > A room to myself I have a room to myself too. > [@](#): > > Sizing i understand in shops Now you’re just being lazy. Anyone can learn. Besides, we’re thoughtful enough to supply UK sizing info on our garments too. > [@](#): > > Money that looks like money with coins that jangle at the right pitch Our money does look like money. That’s why “green” is synonymous with “money” - everywhere on Earth. > [@](#): > > There is one thing I’ll really miss about America - a great clothes shop called American Eagle Outfitters. I found it in New York but it seems like the kind of shop that would have some in other places, i spent most of my money in there. Hmm, i wonder if they deliver things to England when you order off the website… American Eagle Outfitters, huh? Say, I think I’ve heard of that. You found that quaint little shop all by yourself? You must have quite a sharp eye. Reminds me of that time I discovered a hip little underground boutique in London called Next. ---
**Author:** ![Washte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Washte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washte)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037/40 "2003-08-19T17:23:41Z")
Things I’m happy for when returning to the UK: pickle, English brekkies (Irish ones are brilliant, too!), squash, decent bread, chocolate… golly, the list just keeps growing… Things I miss from the US: proper pickles (gerkins), Gatorade, Mexican food, Wendy’s Just a quick word about the money… even being American, after living here (UK) for so long, American money catches me off guard now. I have to look at each note and think about the coins. What a dweeb! :rolleyes: Not even going to get into some of the other things mentioned, as obviously there are some who are quite sensitive and eager to defend everything American. Why go there? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-missed-from-england/196037.md?page=3)