# Uniquely American **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 30, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640 "2004-07-30T20:47:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/41 "2004-08-01T00:30:37Z")
> [@Lok](#): > > You might want to check, I think that jelly there is more like our Jello. Or the gelatin that is used in some things here. Tell them to try PB and jam. Ah…yes true 🙂 (and I was going to mention, they don’t have Jello here!!!) but Englishboy knew what I meant…PB and jellyintheamericansense/jam/preserves, and such like, and was still freaked out. And this is the guy who **does** eat Marmite. And PB and chicken flavoured crisps… \*bete now contemplates a peanut butter an Jello sandwich :eek: \* ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/42 "2004-08-01T02:28:02Z")
I will second the beef jerky; I have a friend in London who is mad for the stuff. Grape jelly is practically non existent in the UK. I have another friend in London who adores Tastikakes. Cannot get enough of them. Now as for my list of what can be sent to \*me[\i] from the UK… ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/43 "2004-08-01T07:47:39Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > Ah…yes true 🙂 (and I was going to mention, they don’t have Jello here!!!) but Englishboy knew what I meant…PB and jellyintheamericansense/jam/preserves, and such like, and was still freaked out. Then obviously the British are not as civilized as they want us to believe. 😛 Lok ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/44 "2004-08-01T13:25:13Z")
Another candy idea is anything with peanut butter and chocolate. My British sister-in-law stumbled across Reese’s cups and fell in love and my husband’s favorite chocolate (aside from expensive imported Yorkie bars) is the Reese’s Fastbreak bar. I don’t think they have Twizzlers, either. ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/45 "2004-08-01T14:35:18Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > My sister married a UK fella she met online, after his first extended visit here he took back armfuls of koolaid packets to share with his family there. Koolaid, who’da thunk it? He also requested Jelly Belly jelly beans be sent in care packages, said he could get them over there, but they were crazy expensive. > > A pal from Scotland was fascinated by the availability of beef jerky when he was visiting me, said it was very much a specialty item back home. My Dad took him to a hunting/sporting goods place, Cabela’s or something, where they had a ginormous selection of jerkies made from different types of game and the guy about died. What about sending venison jerky, since deer-hunting’s not uncommon in Ohio? > > My BIL thought I was crazy when I asked him to bring me back a particular brand of mentholated chewing gum I found on a trip to London, we have nothing like it here. I think it was made by Wrigley’s, I wanted gum and grabbed the only familiar name in the selection by the register, but this stuff is like combining the strongest Dentyne Ice chewing gum with Hall’s mentholated cough drops, it’s mint that you _feel_ up to the roots of your hair! Great fun to offer a piece to unsuspecting gum moochers. 😃 Ditto on the jerky. My step kids in Scotland always request jerky. And Reses PB Cups, a jar of Goober Grape, Lucky Charms, Oreos, complete pancake mix with a bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup. Send a bottle of your favorite barbeque sauce. Or maybe some Six Gun Chili Mix. And that mentholated gum is called Airwaves. I love it (especially the black currant flavor) ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/46 "2004-08-01T16:08:40Z")
Advil? Maybe I missed it, but whenever I get a toothache, headache or body ache I reach for Advil because it seems to get rid of any pain. I couldn’t find Advil overseas to save my life. I ended up getting some weird aspirin, and needless to say it was not the same. Do they call Advil something else, or did I just miss it? ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/47 "2004-08-01T16:08:56Z")
My English cousin brought back “Darwin Fish” and those little plastic clip things that re-seal coffee bags. Wild rice may be an idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/48 "2004-08-02T00:26:00Z")
> [@Boscibo](#): > > Advil? Maybe I missed it, but whenever I get a toothache, headache or body ache I reach for Advil because it seems to get rid of any pain. I couldn’t find Advil overseas to save my life. I ended up getting some weird aspirin, and needless to say it was not the same. Do they call Advil something else, or did I just miss it? You can get ibuprofen at any Boots in the UK; I had to ask the chemist directly for a fairly large bottle (100 tablets), but there are smaller packets on the shelf. ---
**Author:** ![jay-c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@jay-c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jay-c)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/49 "2004-08-02T14:51:38Z")
Good suggestions everyone! I’m working on the first package. This is what I plan on sending: [ol] [li]Foam finger. I have one from a Cincinnati Reds/ Atlanta Braves game last year. I went early to batting practice, so I managed to get some autographs from the players. I’ll send those too.[/li][li]Beef jerky. There’s a brand made locally (Bob’s) that you can pick up in gas stations and convenience stores. I think I’ll go with that.[/li][li]Small Velvet Elvis (if I can find one).[/li][/ol] **ticker** - I actually asked for some Marmite. I’ve read enough about it here on the boards that I have to try it, even if it is nasty. **Celyn** - I must confess I’ve never seen “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, but I seem to recall that the main characters DON’T end up together, right? That’s most definitely not where we want this to go. In fact, I’ve been invited to visit him across the pond, and will be doing my darndest to woo him while there. I may have to go back and watch the movie, though I harbor an intense dislike for Hugh Grant. Something about his simpering countenance drives me batty. Rupert Everett though - mmmm. What a shame he plays for the other team. Keep the ideas coming! ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/50 "2004-08-02T15:17:53Z")
Seconding the suggestion to be careful when posting plants…or food, for that matter. Story time: When I spent a semester in Australia, my beloved back in the States attempted to send me some Kraft Mac -n- Cheese. Yes, they had it in Oz, but it was decidedly different than the blue package to which I was accustomed. Their cheese is different, sweeter somehow. Not as good, to my Merkin tastes. However, the package was intercepted at the border - not allowed thru customs. Something about the powdered cheese. It’s not even real cheese! Still couldn’t come through. I could send them $50 to send it back to the States, tho. So be careful, especially with heightened hoof & mouth or mad cow concerns. Powdered, floured, or chocolate goodies may not make it past customs - read their guidelines carefully. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/51 "2004-08-02T16:30:42Z")
> [@Celyn](#): > > Look, I am honestly NOT trying to go off topic, but I just learned about Mallomars, and, amusingly they sound awuflly like what I thought was only one of OUR biscuits. (Our version is called Tunnock’s Tea Cakes, though what they are, of course, is a biscuity base, marchmallow, then choccy) Hmm, somebody’s been ripping off somebody’s trade secret, I think darkly. I think you’re right, **Celyn**. I noticed the similarity myself when I lived in the UK. I don’t know which came first, though. (Incidentally, I would steer any US Dopers away from Tunnock’s Caramel Biscuits, which never go stale because they are already stale. But I have to admit that I actually liked them, partly because they were cheap.) Sports have already been covered, but I would suggest something with a college football logo, too. Preferably something with an obscure slogan touting the superiority of the program. Brits know some things about baseball, but nothing about the sub-culture of college football. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/52 "2004-08-02T22:15:18Z")
I like the college football logo idea. How about something from the college with the world’s greatest [mascot.](http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/ePOS?this_category=8&store=721&level1_category=8&form=shared3%2fgm%2fmain%2ehtml&design=721) No I didn’t go there I just love the mascot. ---
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/53 "2004-08-02T23:27:14Z")
I don’t suppose there’s any easy way of getting boiled peanuts over to Britain… Wait, does Ohio even have boiled peanuts? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2004, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/54 "2004-08-03T04:32:49Z")
Cowboy hat or boots? Sports stuff- like minor league baseball or college baseball hats, or other paraphrenalia. ---
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2004, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/55 "2004-08-03T06:07:01Z")
Fun idea! Send him some little reminders of your past or being a kid here: - a MatchBox replica of your first car - a Bolo Bouncer - a set of jacks - a harmonica or a kazoo - and for God’s Sake, the Mallomars Oh, and send him a bacon crisper for his microwave. I remember when I was there I was always asked if I wanted my bacon “burnt”…of course I did, who wants floppy bacon? Books: - American Poetry - Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee - Fodor’s USA Have fun with this! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/56 "2004-08-03T21:04:42Z")
The obvious suggestion, which hasn’t even come up yet, is to send the young man some of you panties. Over there they just have knickers. Now I can relate something that I wanted to start a pit thread over but never had the energy. At my grocery store they have seasonal items. You know, Halloween stuff (in august) Christmas stuff (Setember) and in May and June they had patriotic stuff for I guess Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July. They had a series of T-shirts in this stuff. Each shirt had an ‘item’ named and then the words “An American Tradition”. There would be a photo of the item and it was colored red, white and blue. So you had shirts like HOT RODS (photo of RW&B Hot Rod) An American Tradition Fair enough but they had some other American Traditions shirts. For example: Guitars (photo of an electric guitar) Fishing Going to the Beach (picture of a sea shell) and finally Puppies (photo of red white and blue Labrador Retrievers) Yes, other countries are copying us when they fish or go to the beach or play with puppies. ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2004, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/57 "2004-08-03T23:03:20Z")
How about something like a photo book on the American West, or Motor City, or Graceland, or other uniquely American times and places? Or maybe a guide to our [National Parks](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764565605/qid=1091573788/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-3773994-8290329?v=glance&s=books) or Monuments? Maybe a book by [Ansel Adams](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0762413905/qid=1091573854/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/104-3773994-8290329?v=glance&s=books)? I was thinking beef jerky too, but that’s been well covered. Are Corn Nuts universal? What about a classy american cheese, not that processed junk, like a [dry Monterey Jack](http://www.vellacheese.com/pages/jack2.html)? Or a [California Olive Oil](http://www.sciabica.com/) or [honey](http://www.beekmanandbeekman.com/)? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/58 "2004-08-04T03:29:10Z")
You’re from Columbus; send buckeyes! (Going along with the chocolate and peanut butter theme.) How about a Longaburger/berger? (I live less than twenty miles from the damned giant basket and I still can’t spell the name.) Something Amish would be fitting. There are lots of books about them, but you can also find crafts and foodstuffs. Honey allegedly tastes different when it comes from different bees using different plants. So Amish honey would taste different than UK honey. Maple syrup. Maple butter. Apple butter? So many salsas; so little time. I’m sure you can find one that’s off the beaten path. Local wines! Some of them are said to be pretty darn good, though I wouldn’t know. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/59 "2004-08-04T04:44:52Z")
Canned medium New Mexico Green Chile like Hatch. Or some good Chimayo Red Chile powder from New Mexico. Or some of Tabasco’s products ( a whole family of small bottles perhaps ). ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/60 "2004-08-04T05:52:54Z")
A Shaker box A Southern cookbook, but don’t forget to send the measuring spoons and cups with it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640.md?page=4)