An American tourist's view of England

[Pompey Family]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...urists-random-observations-about-England.html

I can't agree with some of the observations but spot on with many.

 

[x3 skier]

After over twenty trips to the UK over the years and a stint working in Derby with Rolls Royce Engines, I agree with all of the observations, especially the one about pudding which I have never understood.

Cheers

 

[Conan]

Full list here - - very well done.
https://www.facebook.com/iScottFL/posts/10207706696650031

But shouldn't the reference to napkins be to "serviettes"?

 

[Pompey Family]

Full list here - - very well done.
https://www.facebook.com/iScottFL/posts/10207706696650031

But shouldn't the reference to napkins be to "serviettes"?

Napkins.....serviettes, same thing!

Facecloths are what we use to wash our faces with when we bathe or shower, nothing to do with eating so I think he got his wires crossed there.

 

[x3 skier]

Facecloths are what we use to wash our faces with when we bathe or shower, nothing to do with eating so I think he got his wires crossed there.

But they are seldom provided in hotels.

Cheers

 

[Weimaraner]

We've had discussions on Disney FB boards about wearing Fanny Packs (a belted bag for valuables) in the park and our FB friends from England have always had a laugh at the difference in meaning. I had to google it and now know why they think a Fanny Pack is offensive and not because they are so 1980s. Haha

I personally have found people from the UK are a bit more courteous and thoughtful of others like the author did.

 

[Pompey Family]

But they are seldom provided in hotels.

Cheers

I don't get that one. In every hotel I've stayed in in the UK (admittedly predominantly Marriott so that may be a factor) facecloths have been provided.

 

[isisdave]

I don't get that one. In every hotel I've stayed in in the UK (admittedly predominantly Marriott so that may be a factor) facecloths have been provided.

You mean "face flannels" of course. We never see them in Europe and so carry our own, although used for more utility things like gripping wine bottles while (whilst) opening them.

I'm old enough to remember when these things were worn in the rear; hence their name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_pack

 

[Pompey Family]

You mean "face flannels" of course. We never see them in Europe and so carry our own, although used for more utility things like gripping wine bottles while (whilst) opening them.

Yes, I call them flannels as well although it seems the current trend is to refer to them as face cloths.

As for gripping wine bottles, surely that's what your knees are for?

 

[Weimaraner]

The only reason I know they are called flannels is the song Tempted by Squeeze. The international language of music

 

[x3 skier]

I don't get that one. In every hotel I've stayed in in the UK (admittedly predominantly Marriott so that may be a factor) facecloths have been provided.

I must admit I've not stayed in UK Hotels much at all recently since I used my unit at The Allen House when visiting. Things may have changed but face cloths have been as rare as hen's teeth in the hotels I've stayed in on the Continent.

I'm enroute to London today for a visit so I'll see if Hilton has them, also called wash cloths.

Cheers

 

[Passepartout]

Funny, the direction this thread has wandered. DW is a big face cloth user. Me, not so much. We noticed a long time ago that they are not universally available in Europe, so when I found a pack of 10 for about $3, I bought them. DW tucks a couple in a ziplock and tucks it in her suitcase. They're cheap enough to be considered disposable.

Jim

 

[Pompey Family]

Funny, the direction this thread has wandered.

Isn't it just! I've never really noticed the lack of face cloths/flannels in the UK or Europe but that's possibly because I tend to stay in American owned hotels.

I grew up using a flannel however my brother no longer uses them as he considers them unhygienic.

I do recall many years ago staying at a cheap hotel with a girlfriend at the time and we only had the use of a shared bathroom. For some strange reason the hotel provided a 'communal sponge' which, by the looks of it, had been used many times!

 

[taterhed]

FWIW...

those plastic 'pouf sponge' scrubber balls (no pun intended) work better than flannels and dry quicker for travel.
also has handle/loop to hang.

plus, they are cheaper than 'wash cloths' as well.

 

[x3 skier]

The Waldorf Hilton had two face cloths in the room but strangely, they were not replaced after we used them the first day. A couple days later, they reappeared.

Cheers

 

[cotraveller]

When we visited London for the first time we were told that in the United States we drive on the right side of the road and in England they drive on the proper side.

Two countries separated by a common language was another phrase we heard a few times.

 

[Pompey Family]

When we visited London for the first time we were told that in the United States we drive on the right side of the road and in England they drive on the proper side.

This is an interesting article...http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/driving-on-the-left/

Therefore driving on the left is the proper way