So British

View from my window this morning: English snow.. just as miserable as snow in Vancouver!

Some of my friends here starting using the phrase “so British” a while back to refer to something that was typically British, or for something they perceived was typically British.  I wasn’t there when it started but in theory I like it, except when it is used in a negative way or as a put down.

Part of why I chose to come to England on exchange was to have the opportunity to discover a new culture without the challenge of learning a new language.  Some say it’s debatable that Canadians and Brits speak the same English but that is another argument entirely.  Without a language barrier one can jump into another culture that much quicker.

One of the things I learned while on exchange in Sweden was that 5 months is not enough time to properly learn a language and not knowing the language can prevent you from learning some of the nuances of the culture.  Not speaking the language of your host country can also pose a challenge to developing strong relationships with the locals.

I am very thankful to have met and become friends with some lovely British people.  Who better to learn about the country and the culture from then those that live here?  Now I almost never refer to the garbage as garbage anymore.  It’s rubbish.  Probably not the best example but it is the one that came to mind.

This week I did a bunch of things that could be called “so British.”  But to save time I’ll just mention a few.

First off on Tuesday I went to a pub to watch the football match – Real Madrid vs. Manchester United.  Watching a football, or soccer match, is not just a British thing but it is not something I would typically do in Canada.  My Mom might disown me for saying this but I find football much more interesting to watch on TV than hockey.  For me I find it much easier to follow a white soccer ball on a green field than a small black puck on a sheet on ice.  Plus the atmosphere while watching was electric. 

We watched the first half of the match in a large pub in town called the King & Queen.  Despite being so big it was packed and there was standing room only.  It was annoying to be bumped by people trying to pass through the crowd but kind of cool to be surrounded by people who actually care about the outcome of the game, who would grunt, yell or cheer at the giant projector screen.  For the second half we went to a small pub where the guys typically watch matches and where we could sit with room to breathe.  Overall it was cool experience.

Saturday I went for proper English tea with Melissa and Justine.  We went to a cute little place aptly named “That Little Teashop in the Lanes.”  Tea, scones with jam and clotted cream, and small sandwiches – you can’t get much more British than that.  It was delicious!  Justine was pretty excited when I told her that I know how to make scones so that will be our next baking endeavour.  Justine is passionate about learning to bake and I love baking so teaching her gives me an excuse to make delicious treats.

Yesterday I had my first visitors from Canada – Katherine and Gord.  They are travelling around Europe for two months and came down to Brighton for the day.  Katherine and Gord were some of my mentors from my first exchange to France with Rotary International.  We couldn’t remember how long it had been since we last saw each other but it has to have been at least 5 years.

It was so lovely to see them and catch up.  Unfortunately the weather was pretty miserable, not as bad as it is today but still quite cold.  We spent some time wandering around the Lanes and the Pier but mainly we spent time in restaurants and cafes.  It was almost nice to have an excuse to spend more time inside just chatting.

I learned from Katherine that mushy peas are a very British thing and also a favourite of hers.  Mushy peas is a side dish made from a specific kind of pea that is first dried then slightly rehydrated and mashed.  Having never heard of them before I wasn’t sure where to take her where they are served.  We tried a couple pubs that I think of as typically British but alas no mushy peas on the menu.  At the second pub the staff recommended we try Harry Ramsden’s.

Harry Ramsden’s is a very popular fish and chips restaurant directly across the street from Brighton Pier.  According to the sign Harry is the uncrowned king of fish and chips.  When you go to a restaurant like that you just have to get fish and chips with mushy peas.

While we were there it occurred to me that since my arrival in England I had yet to eat fish and chips.  Let me tell you it was so good!  It was some of the best fish and chips I’ve ever had.  The mushy peas were pretty good too but I think I still prefer good old plain peas.

That is a snapshot of my week and my attempts to do more things that could be deemed as “so British.”  I am really enjoying my time here in England!  It is hard to believe how quickly time is flying by.  I am determined to make the most of it.

This coming weekend I’m off to Dublin, Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day.  I have always wanted to experience St. Paddy’s in Ireland and I’m so excited that I finally will be able to.  Then once I get back my little sister Amanda arrives for a two-week visit.  We will be spending her first week in England and then making quick stops in Paris and Lisbon.  In Lisbon we will be staying with Claire, a former Rotary exchange student to BC from Belgium, who I haven’t seen in a few years.  I’m really looking forward to seeing her.  So good things happening in the weeks to come…

That is all.  Hope your week has been as good as mine!