# Why does England have such a Poor Culinary Tradition? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 10, 2001, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484 "2001-03-10T23:32:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Studoggie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@Studoggie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studoggie)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2001, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/41 "2001-03-16T07:35:26Z")
British food is really the worst. I spent two years as a kid in North Yorkshire in the late eighties when my father was stationed there. The food I remember brings chills to my stomach. Mushy peas, bangors (the most revolting sausage in the world), and even hamburgers (how did they screw that up?) The Brits, being a socialist country, have never really understood the concept of satisfying a customer. For instance, If something you order has been accidently burnt, they will serve it to you anyway. I was once served two slices of completely burned black toast onetime and the waitress seemed so puzzled that I wanted new ones. The only thing truly British that I reaaly liked was Yorkshire pudding, but even that wasn’t anything to write home about. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2001, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/42 "2001-03-16T09:01:30Z")
Blimey, when were we socialist? ---
**Author:** ![Katie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a4c791/32.png) [@Katie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katie)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2001, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/43 "2001-03-16T13:24:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Studoggie \* > \*\*British food is really the worst. I spent two years as a kid in North Yorkshire in the late eighties when my father was stationed there. The food I remember brings chills to my stomach. \*\* As you say, the late 80s - over a decade ago. Britain in general has got a lot better in terms of food over recent years. And you’re not likely to find the best places unless you’re a local, because you tend to hear about them by word-of-mouth… > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Studoggie \* > \*\* > The Brits, being a socialist country, have never really understood the concept of satisfying a customer. \*\* And I’m with mattk on this one - since when has Britain been socialist? Especially seeing as you were here during the late 80s when Margaret Thatcher was in power - one of the most right wing Prime Ministers in recent history! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Studoggie \* > \*\* > For instance, If something you order has been accidently burnt, they will serve it to you anyway. \*\* This has never happened to me, and I’ve lived in Britain for nearly 24 years now… Sounds like you had some bad experiences, but this definitely isn’t typical. ---
**Author:** ![Evnglion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f04885/32.png) [@Evnglion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evnglion)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2001, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/44 "2001-03-16T13:53:48Z")
I love the “Naked Chef” and “Two Fat ladies” on the Food Network. But I do agree, as a whole, The British simply have no food tastes. On the other hand, the Japanese are known for their culinary perfection. I love japanese food so much ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2001, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/45 "2001-03-16T19:13:55Z")
On a question of service.At least in the UK we do not have to suffer the “have a nice day” syndrome with its false smiles and equally false concerns for customers.You can tell it all comes from the script of a training course. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/46 "2001-03-16T19:39:03Z")
I’d also like to stand up for UK service. I was in Scotland recently and everyone I dealt with was unfailingly polite and helpful. I ate one lunch near a man who finished his whole meal including coffee, chatted up the waitress, ordered another beer, asked the waitress out and, when she courteously declined, informed her that he’d forgotten his wallet. She, still politely, went off to get the manager. I’d have stuffed his foul-smelling cigarette up his nose at that point. Most of the food I had was pretty good, too, except for the unidentified fried bits at breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2001, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/47 "2001-03-17T00:09:05Z")
I think any General Question this thread might have contained has long been answered. I’m going to shoot it over to IMHO for further deliberation as to whether English (or other places’) food is _actually_ good or bad. ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2001, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484/48 "2001-03-17T05:58:53Z")
> [@](#): > > On a question of service.At least in the UK we do not have to suffer the “have a nice day” syndrome with its false smiles and equally false concerns for customers.You can tell it all comes from the script of a training course. Amen to that. When I was over in England last year, I remember being delighted by the indifference the servers and waitstaff had towards me. I loved being scowled at when I asked for more ice. Yeah, you thought being rude to the Americans would make them go away, but we ate it up. It’s such a relief. Never have I felt so free from the gestapo-like happiness of TGI Friday’s and it’s ilk. Also, Theakston brewery over there was the only place I’ve ever had beer in my life where I could taste an actual correlation between the adjectives they use in beer commercials and beer I actually drink. I think they serve American beer ice-cold because that way you don’t have to taste it. -fh [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-england-have-such-a-poor-culinary-tradition/57484.md?page=2)