Tesco's outside my window I have been a self confessed Anglophile for a long time, I think even since I discovered the UK existed. I'd also like to think I know more then most about little cultural trivia then most Americans do (plugs, Clangers, oyster cards etc).
That said: Thank God for Anglotopia . It prepared me for lots of things in the guest columns about people living here. Reading about it doesn't quite prepare you for seeing things for your self though it does help keep you face from looking comical when you do encounter new things. Between Anglotopia and Qi (a game show about life's unknowns) I thought I'd have very few surprises...
EGGS
Let me start with thing that did nearly have me open mouthed in the store: eggs. Eggs are not refrigerated here.You read that right. When you go in the grocery store, or even the local equivalent of the dollar store you'll find the eggs sitting on the shelf with other products at room temperature (it think in the case of my local Tesco tit was with the jars of pasta sauce) . I stopped dead in the aisle when I saw it, because it just looked bizarre to me. I'll try and snap a picture the next time I'm in the store! After walking away I remembered that I had in fact known that was the case I had jut forgotten it. I finally got the courage to buy some yesterday (and promptly put them in the fridge upon getting home). I haven't tried cooking with them yet, although I've heard others say that they are hard to break. I'll let you know.
Bags
While we are talking about shopping, there is also a very different culture here about bags at the shops. For one you bag your own shopping, and the bags tend to be in a pile just behind the cashiers (who get to sit down by the way, dear Target). Most people seem to bring their own reusable bags with them. You really get the feeling they are doing you a big favor by providing the bags(and I guess really they are). I do have to say that no one is unkind or unpleasant about not having a reusable bag or needing a plastic one, I think it's just not the done thing. I do see lots of locals carrying the plastic bags around so it's not that undone. The reusable ones just carry more and last long enough to get home.
I only brought one reusable bag along and I can truly say that if I could do my packing over again that is one thing I would bring more of. They do sell them in the shops, and I'll probably buy a few or else have mum send over some of the ones I have at home (world market had awesome ones that fold up really small and look like french market bags).
Now one thing that may be more of a regional thing, I'm from Atlanta where we drive everywhere, I'm sure these are popular in large cities, but I now see the point in old lady shopping trollies they just make sense! And while I do see a majority of the being pushed by the over 70's I see many young people pushing them about too. My arms have nearly fallen off walking back and forth from the shops this weekend. My flat mate says I may use her's but I feel bad borrowing her things at every turn. I think I'll be trying to find a cheep one soon.
Sidewalks
In the US, you always walk to the right, you open the doors to the right etc. I figured here it would likely be the opposite, everything to the left. But to be honest I feel like I'm always on the wrong side of everything, even when I'm staying to the left. I starting to think there isn't a universally accepted place to walk here or for that matter which door you should open (push and pull seem to be on opposite side too). Maybe one of you can help me out with this?
Next Time
I think I''ll discuss the amazing amount of yoghurt and cheese products over here.
That said: Thank God for Anglotopia . It prepared me for lots of things in the guest columns about people living here. Reading about it doesn't quite prepare you for seeing things for your self though it does help keep you face from looking comical when you do encounter new things. Between Anglotopia and Qi (a game show about life's unknowns) I thought I'd have very few surprises...
EGGS
Let me start with thing that did nearly have me open mouthed in the store: eggs. Eggs are not refrigerated here.You read that right. When you go in the grocery store, or even the local equivalent of the dollar store you'll find the eggs sitting on the shelf with other products at room temperature (it think in the case of my local Tesco tit was with the jars of pasta sauce) . I stopped dead in the aisle when I saw it, because it just looked bizarre to me. I'll try and snap a picture the next time I'm in the store! After walking away I remembered that I had in fact known that was the case I had jut forgotten it. I finally got the courage to buy some yesterday (and promptly put them in the fridge upon getting home). I haven't tried cooking with them yet, although I've heard others say that they are hard to break. I'll let you know.
Bags
While we are talking about shopping, there is also a very different culture here about bags at the shops. For one you bag your own shopping, and the bags tend to be in a pile just behind the cashiers (who get to sit down by the way, dear Target). Most people seem to bring their own reusable bags with them. You really get the feeling they are doing you a big favor by providing the bags(and I guess really they are). I do have to say that no one is unkind or unpleasant about not having a reusable bag or needing a plastic one, I think it's just not the done thing. I do see lots of locals carrying the plastic bags around so it's not that undone. The reusable ones just carry more and last long enough to get home.
I only brought one reusable bag along and I can truly say that if I could do my packing over again that is one thing I would bring more of. They do sell them in the shops, and I'll probably buy a few or else have mum send over some of the ones I have at home (world market had awesome ones that fold up really small and look like french market bags).
Now one thing that may be more of a regional thing, I'm from Atlanta where we drive everywhere, I'm sure these are popular in large cities, but I now see the point in old lady shopping trollies they just make sense! And while I do see a majority of the being pushed by the over 70's I see many young people pushing them about too. My arms have nearly fallen off walking back and forth from the shops this weekend. My flat mate says I may use her's but I feel bad borrowing her things at every turn. I think I'll be trying to find a cheep one soon.
Sidewalks
In the US, you always walk to the right, you open the doors to the right etc. I figured here it would likely be the opposite, everything to the left. But to be honest I feel like I'm always on the wrong side of everything, even when I'm staying to the left. I starting to think there isn't a universally accepted place to walk here or for that matter which door you should open (push and pull seem to be on opposite side too). Maybe one of you can help me out with this?
Next Time
I think I''ll discuss the amazing amount of yoghurt and cheese products over here.
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