Yes, just a few.
("there's more?" you say. "good gracious, girl.")
Also, I've included some new habits I brought stateside.
Here they are, in no particular order.
I have used yahoo! as the epicenter for my e-mailing needs for quite a while. Not the best service, for sure, but I am too lazy to transition to the holy grail of mail (you know what I'm talking about) just yet.
Anyway....whilst in the UK, when you connect to Yahoo on the internet, it is automatically rolls you to the UK version of the site.
And, since coming home, I have kept it that way. It sure is swell to have the UK & Ireland site as opposed to the United States one.
Why?
You see, if I'm going to have to be bombarded with mainstream media taglines and images when I sign in, you'd better believe I'd rather look at the story regarding the latest win for the Wigan football team or Russell Crowe's newfound affinity for Staffordshire Pottery Teacups. Or, better yet, the story on Will and Kate's recent purchase of a mattress (yes, even their mattress purchases make news) containing no less than 4,200 springs.
While not perfect (they still have their fair share of odd/grotesque news stories) it is infinitely more interesting than the same old Kardashian-esque
2. Millitary Time
MT is used almost exclusively in the UK, and I've stuck with it since returning stateside. There's just something about it. I mean, let's be real, it's British and millitary, what could possibly be lacking if both those admirable entities rely on it?
It can, however, present some unforseen difficulties. For example, if you are out in public and someone asks you for the time and you respond "oh, it's 13:34," you can look cool whilst the other party either stares confusedly at you or, better yet, stares after the mysterious personage that is you as you stroll coolly away, your coat collar turned up Sherlock-style. Be advised that the latter only works properly if you are smart enough to make the escape before they ask "wha?" and you have to 'splain yourself.
The other problem posed is when your little sister, only just beginning to fathom the meanings of the wonderful two-faced beast of the world of Time, becomes greatly confused at your usage of all these strange numbers that are clearly not visible on the clock face.
It all started when I was standing at the Chemist's shop, King's Cross St. Pancras, London. Waiting for our train, the 0845 to Edinburgh. Foggy, grey day. This particular shop was one of a British chain called Boots. We stepped inside and as I was waiting on my fellow travellers to complete their purchases I happened upon a display case of travel size toiletries. A bright pink bottle caught my eye, and I read the tagline, "The MOST astonishing Hand Cream EVER?!? YOU decide!"
Hmmm. Intrigued, I picked it up and read the following.
What it is:
A non-greasy hand cream with shea butter, macadamia oil, and marshmallow.
What it does:
This hand cream softens, smooths, and soothes dry, chapped, or otherwise hampered* hands.
Ever the careful purchaser, I turned away and considered adding it to my arsenal while I browsed the Deodorant aisle.
Behind me, I heard the voices of two young schoolgirls on their way to Academy stop by the display. Thus, the below conversation ensued:
Schoolgirl #1
"Oooh, look! They got hand food in a travel bottle!" *picks up bottle*
Schoolgirl #2
"Well, what's so great about hand food? I hear the girls on about it all the time."
Schoolgirl #1
"Wha? Oh, Only Ev-ry-thing! It's the best ever and all the gals use it!"
They meandered off.
And, I bought some. Remember my little quickbit on what British people smell like? (scroll to the bottom of that post.) Well, the ladies smell like this in addition to the Surf smell. The scent is delightful, and yet difficult to explain. According to my Mom's description, it smells akin to "watermelons, roses, cherries, cotton candy, and more floral."
That really narrows it down.
*I love this word. I will, henceforward, not permit modern vocabulary to hamper my usage of it.
4. Irn-Bru
Now, while not technically British in origin, I feel compelled to include it here. Do I really need to say anything about this liquid Scottish-ness? If you haven't read my post that includes a short disquisition on this remarkable substance, you should do so, post haste. Then, read this actual review taken from Amazon.com, written by one (very) satisfied customer:
"So there A was, sure as sure, hangin by ma wee fingertips from the edge of a heilan peak. A thocht it was the end of me, so A did. Niver again wad A see ma wee dug, Jock. But then A minded A had an Irn-Bru in ma pack. An I minded the adverts on the telly... "Irn-Bru gets yi through." So A twisted roond an freed the boattle from ma pack, an in a single swally A had consumed the iconic fizzy drink, made of iron girder scrapin's. An then it was that new life filled ma muscles an A scrambled tae safety. Niver will A go hill-walkin in future withoot at least wan boattle o Irn-Bru in ma kit. It's approved by Jock as well, just so yi've got the dug's opinion. True to the telly, Irn-Bru got me through. Saor Alba!!!" ~Gwyn MCVay
5. My London Underground "Tube" Socks.
Yes, I am obsessed. I grew quite fond of the ol' transport system whilst in London and did the only appropriate thing by purchasing myself a pair of socks with the map printed on them.
Yes, I am a goon.
(British term for dork.)
Did I mention that I also have in my possession a tea towel with the same map printed on it?
Double-goon.
Side note: the station nearest our flat was the Marylebone (pronounced mar-lee-bone.)
6. Earl Grey Tea with Lemon and Cream
Okay, so I drink tea here in the states, but I had never had the pleasure of taking a *proper* Cream Tea. The above picture is from our tea we enjoyed on our last day near the little southern English town of Hastings. First, they bring your tea pot with the teabags steeping away in the hot water. You remove them when the tea is at the strength you wish, then pour into your cup and add cream, sugar, and, the kicker, whole lemon slivers. I'd never done this with hot tea, and the effect was very refreshing and delicious. Just the thing after a trot through an ancient battlefield. I have taken my tea with lemon ever since. You can also get a glimpse of an English scone on Galen's plate in the picture. You'll also notice that my plate has been, well, devoured.
The scones were drier and less sweet than the variety I make, but the clotted cream and raspberry preserves made up for it. I think clotted cream should be England's national condiment (perhaps it is already.) Anyway, the stuff is divine, and I am of the opinion that the inventor of said substance should, with due celerity, be granted knighthood. Or at least the Nobel Peace Prize.
