# Traveling to England for the first time: advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 9, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959 "2012-01-09T19:45:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/101 "2012-01-11T14:53:20Z")
> [@Rayne\_Man](#): > > There are two UK owned coffee shop chains. These are Costa and Cafe Nero, both of which (in my opinion) serve better coffee than Starbucks. Agree re Starbucks but also give a shout out to the coffee from Pret, which is really good. ---
**Author:** ![glaeken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@glaeken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glaeken)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/102 "2012-01-11T16:31:10Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > In the US, what you call cream, we call…cream. The confusion is that we don’t put cream on desserts. If a dairy topping is called for, it is either whipped cream or ice cream. The notion of just pouring cream on cake or pie is pretty unknown to most people here. My late husband, who was from Yorkshire, introduced me to it. I loved it. That would explain the confusion as I was being looked at like I wanted to do something that made no sense. I tried to explain what cream was which did not help so it makes sense its not that you don’t call it cream but that you don’t use it in that way. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/103 "2012-01-11T16:32:58Z")
For coffee I prefer Cafe Nero. And the version most resembling what an American would think of ‘default coffee’ is called (perhaps unsurprisingly) ‘Americano’. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/104 "2012-01-11T17:21:19Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > …the version most resembling what an American would think of ‘default coffee’ is called (perhaps unsurprisingly) ‘Americano’. I beg to differ. In my experience from living there, American default coffee is weak-as-piss filter stuff that has often been stewed for quite some time. Whereas a good Americano is a fresh shot or two of espresso topped up with hot water. Or do you mean stuff from a barista rather than a 7-11 or office kitchen? ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/105 "2012-01-11T17:23:12Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/106 "2012-01-11T18:10:56Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I’ve never tipped bar staff but then I’m not a regular anywhere. And despite living here for umpteen years I’m still unclear on the etiquette of round-buying if you’re in a large group but not drinking (or only having one pint). It’s a minefield, I tell you. Just say [“No thanks, I’ll stay on my own”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxIEZ-gnFeE) Everything you need to know about pubs you can learn from Early Doors. @ **jjimm** , I was thinking more of home-made Mr. Coffee type stuff. It’s still filter, but you control the amount to get the strength you want. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/107 "2012-01-11T18:11:03Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Apparently, they spend a lot of time in England arguing over whether or not you tip the barman with a drink. Or so I’ve heard… No, it’s Australians misrepresenting what everyone’s said that causes discussion. Though not arguments, since we’re all saying the same thing. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/108 "2012-01-11T18:11:33Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > I beg to differ. In my experience from living there, American default coffee is weak-as-piss filter stuff that has often been stewed for quite some time. Whereas a good Americano is a fresh shot or two of espresso topped up with hot water. Or do you mean stuff from a barista rather than a 7-11 or office kitchen? Indeed. In the late 90s I had the joys of working for a couple of months in Atlanta. I got banned from making coffee in the office as apparently I just made it too strong. I do not like strong coffee. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/109 "2012-01-11T22:00:06Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > Remember in conversation that “football” is what Americans call “soccer”. The other one is really [handegg](http://www.nastyhobbit.org/details.php?image_id=1606). 😉 Oh, I’ve been wondering what to call it in an international context. Ta! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/110 "2012-01-11T22:53:58Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > No, it’s Australians misrepresenting what everyone’s said that causes discussion. Though not arguments, since we’re all saying the same thing. :rolleyes: Apparently they don’t have much of a sense of humor either. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/111 "2012-01-11T23:21:36Z")
Nor much grasp of the singular and plural. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/112 "2012-01-12T00:14:21Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Nor much grasp of the singular and plural. Poms. What do they know about the English Language! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/113 "2012-01-12T00:36:57Z")
Does one eat “toad in the hole” for breakfast luncheon, or dinner?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/114 "2012-01-12T00:59:31Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Does one eat “toad in the hole” for breakfast luncheon, or dinner?😃 I’m not sure. I’ve blanked out the memory. I do remember “spotted dick” though: it was a dessert. (It had custard on it, therefore it was a dessert. I mostly ate the custard.) ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/115 "2012-01-12T01:10:13Z")
If you put your hair dryer on the low setting and use a converter, you should be fine. Those hair dryers you see that are advertised as “dual voltage” just have a setting that makes it impossible to use anything other than the lowest setting. If you use a straight or curling iron, get a voltage converter (not just the plug–you’ll need something that converts the actual voltage) or it will heat up to near nuclear temperatures. Since you’re staying with a friend, this may not apply to you, but most B&Bs or hotels that I stayed at had hair dryers provided. As mentioned, Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere and you can use your ATM card at the cash points. You will find a couple people asking about swiping your card, but it shouldn’t be an issue. I was in Northumbria and Yorkshire a couple months ago and, other than one or two questions, I never had a problem with my cards being swipe only. It’s only been 5 years since they went to chip and pin. It’s not like you’ll be trying to pay with beads and furs! I’ve been to England many times and I’ve never figured out the tipping. For cabs and food service, I just tip like I do in the U.S. Most people aren’t going to complain about getting a tip. In the pubs, I just watch what the person ordering before me does. One funny thing is the definition of “salad”. I’ve ordered a “ham and salad” sandwich and figured it was a ham sandwich accompanied by a salad. Instead the “salad” refers to the lettuce and tomato (and usually onion) on the ham. But you get used to it. Just be prepared to occasionally be surprised at what arrives after you order! If you rent a car and want an automatic transmission, be sure to ask for one. The default is a manual transmission. If you can drive a manual, it’s not that difficult to shift with your left hand, but it can be an issue if you have to juggle a map and the stick. My left hand just isn’t as coordinated as my right at things like that! About maps and roads: the road signs don’t usually say north, south, east, or west. Instead they list the next town on the road. Fine if you want to go to that town, but if you’re just looking for “A5 North” you have to have an idea of the towns along your planned route. Surprisingly, I never found driving on the left to be a difficult adjustment. What was more difficult is that many of the roads are quite narrow (not the motorways or main roads, but a lot of the town and smaller roads) and there are often hedges, walls, or parked cars next to you. Trying to fit into a smaller space while simultaneously adjusting your spacial perception to having a lot of car on your left with nothing on your right but the door can be challenging. But never complain or mention that the roads are narrower or smaller. Never say anything is smaller. People take it as an insult although none is intended. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/116 "2012-01-12T02:16:17Z")
Oh, and as someone else mentioned, the speed limits in the UK are marked in miles per hour! (Road distances too, I think, though I’m less certain about that. I don’t know what units fuel is sold in.) I was completely not expecting MPH, being as the UK is part of Europe and therefore, I thought, metric. (I thought only us Canadians were allowed to be confused about metric.) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/117 "2012-01-12T02:32:54Z")
> [@MaddyStrut](#): > > If you put your hair dryer on the low setting and use a converter, you should be fine. Those hair dryers you see that are advertised as “dual voltage” just have a setting that makes it impossible to use anything other than the lowest setting. I would take this advice with a pinch of salt and double-check everything. > [@](#): > > But never complain or mention that the roads are narrower or smaller. Never say anything is smaller. People take it as an insult although none is intended. Can’t speak for other Brits, but if you say our roads are smaller I’ll go “yes, they are”, because they are. I may explain that many of them are ancient, plus we’re a small country and we have smaller cars too, but I wouldn’t be insulted in the least. I have heard a few tourists complaining that Stonehenge is too small, but I wasn’t insulted just bemused in a “what did you expect?” way. I mean, those stones are freaking huge! They weigh 25 tons and were quarried hundreds of miles away by people who didn’t have wheels! But then I also concede the way it’s portrayed in the popular “imaginary” does often overemphasize its grandeur, and the reality, particularly with a road running so near to it (which thankfully they’re getting rid of), could definitely be a little small and disappointing. ETA: road speeds, speedometers and odometers mph, distances in miles, but gasoline (which we call petrol) is sold in litres. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/118 "2012-01-12T04:02:55Z")
I can understand the “Stonehenge is too small” thing. I had the same reaction when I visited Mt. Rushmore. After seeing it on TV and film so many times, when you see it in person, it just seems…diminished. I actually don’t even own a hair dryer, so that’s fine. I am told that my laptop should be fine as long as I get the adapter for the UK-style plug. (My friend actually already has one, so that’s covered.) This thread has seriously been a wealth of information and is greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/119 "2012-01-12T04:23:16Z")
Ah, the salad sandwich. Yep, in the UK it means a whatever sandwich with salad (lettuce always, sometimes tomato) on it. What we would call a whatever salad sandwich (tuna, for example, mixed with mayonnaise and pickles, etc) is apparently called a whatever mayonnaise. And the bread will be buttered, no matter what. And you will like it!!! Just kidding. 🙂 Scones with clotted cream are lovely. Totally worth the calories. I am a girl who can put away some pastry, and I would say pretty much all of the baked goods I have had in the UK have been good to excellent. I am so jealous! I miss my trips to the UK. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/120 "2012-01-12T04:24:17Z")
> [@MaddyStrut](#): > > About maps and roads: the road signs don’t usually say north, south, east, or west. Instead they list the next town on the road. Fine if you want to go to that town, but if you’re just looking for “A5 North” you have to have an idea of the towns along your planned route. I drove courier trucks in the UK for about six months. The whole trick to navigating in the UK is (except for last few hundreds of yards to your microdestination) to forget towns and road names and just look up what route numbers you need, and then follow the route number signs. The courier truck company I drove for was based in North London so all us drivers knew it well but occasionally we had to deliver things in deep South London. I would look up the route in the AtoZ, memorise the route numbers (which probably just involved remembering say three numbers) and then follow the signs. I rememember a couple of times when my offsider (who was usually also an antipodean fresh off the plane) would see me look at the map for a few minutes, then drive a complex route, sometimes an hour or more long, down winding roads with dozens of turns without checking the map at all. Then they would turn to me in awe and the conversation would go: “So how come you know South London so well?” “I don’t” “But you hardly looked at the map at all” “Nup” “So did you memorise the whole thing?” “Nup” “So how do you do it?” “Aha!” I would say with a mysterious look. Actually I’d usually take pity on them and explain that all I’d done was remember say “A3, A349, B2046” (or whatever). I can’t recall any occasion when the signage let me down. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959.md?page=7)