Proper Dining Manners for England, & Jolly Travel Stories & Tips!

Perhaps it's the romance of Royalty and their accent, or the elegance of Afternoon Tea, or the Elevenses tradition, or that our family is Mayflower from the Huntingdonshire District (now Cambridgeshire), but England was always fascinating to me. The White Cliffs of Dover, the horse-drawn carriages, the Universities and literature, the Centuries old customs, the roses and the Royals! The land where muffins and biscuits and biscuits are cookies! I studied long hours and saved up babysitting and waitressing money all throughout High School so that I could attend a semester abroad in college.

Luckily, I attended my 1981 Summer semester abroad at St. Anne's College, Oxford, during Princess Diana's wedding celebrations. The London crowds were enormous, and enormously polite. I pardoned my way through the massive audience attending the fireworks the night before the wedding, made my way up to the front row where there was a fence, snapped a few photos, turned around and was claustrophobic for the first time in my life as the crowd was huge. People were so nice to allow me up front. The British are extremely kind and lovely souls. 

School was the most fabulous learning experience, however, the British educational system teaches subjects differently. Learning is not taught in the "parrot" style system like in the US. Four small paperback books a week we read in my British Literature class. Then, we listened to a lecture each day in class by the author, and one was expected to form one's own opinion about the subject at hand, but you MUST back up your opinion. As well, the professor calls on each student in turn to participate in discussions during the twice week afternoon "Tutorials", which are comprised of basically sitting on the floor in the small office of the professor, so you better have studied up. You may also be served tea, so be prepared to exhibit your best tea manners. Breakfast at school was different but good! Simple bran cereal and room temperature milk in pitchers. Dry toast in toast racks and soft butter. Scrambled eggs and sausages. Then there are the pitchers of warm custard at breakfast, lunch and dinner. YUM!    

The first thing to know about England is the British are very proper, polite and mannerly. Use your best  "Old European Manners" (see the post on August 12, 2020). Be exceptionally polite and use your softest voice and all your 'magic words' all the time. The Brits love their afternoon Tea and Sherry, their flower gardens, and punting. The famous "pick up put down tea" was introduced in chic Belgravia at the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars. Talk about the weather and  rather than politics or "American Independence Day", (July 4th). Don't say the word "charming." They've heard it a million times. Say the word "lovely" (closer meaning to the word 'wonderful') instead. You will be thanked! Also, a pair of good walking shoes (NOT white sneakers) are a must!

Here are a few jolly travel tips:

• England has a population of 56 million (UK = 68 Million) and the island itself is about the size of the State of New York. The Capital is London, with a population of 9 million and which is 5 x the size of New York City. 
• GDP of the UK per capita is $42,500 USD. 5th richest country in the world, but do NOT expect your accommodations to be spacious and luxurious like America. Many families, as well, live in multi-generational homes.
• England is an island, so it is windy and does rain. Temperatures are wet and cool at 40 - 70 degrees F. Bring a travel raincoat, umbrella, and rain shoes.
• England is known for Wedgwood Jasperware China, Staffordshire quadruple plate silver hollowware, their wit & puns, Edwardian and Empire movies, and hedges. Take your walking shoes (NOT white tennis shoes) and enjoy the outdoors!
• Culturally, England is the land of Gainsborough, Constable, J.M.W. Turner, Alfred Munnings, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Keats, Yeates, Shelley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, and The Clash. Google up the museums, sites and tours and go! 
• The British also know the history of and honor their war monuments. These structures are everywhere. Read the engravings/plaques, learn & enjoy. 
• Plays in London, the land of Shakespeare, are everywhere and students get discounts. GO!
• "Elevenses" is tea at 11:00 am. A nice morning break!
• "High Tea" is NOT more formal than "Afternoon Tea." "High Tea" traditionally is held at 5:00pm  because the miners and laborers had not eaten much all day and it includes meats, cold cuts and cheeses, fish and eggs. Think of High Tea as a light supper.
• "Afternoon Tea" is the more formal tea! It is held around 3:00pm - 4:00pm and includes many teas, and the famous scones with clotted cream and jam. Afternoon tea also includes cucumber and egg salad sandwiches (crust off, of course), chocolates, sweet pastries, fruit tarts, meringues, hot chocolate, and champagne! Remember to first break a bite sized piece off of the scone, then spread the clotted cream onto your piece of scone, THEN the jam, otherwise you will have a mess! True old fashioned British do not take milk with their tea, but if you do take milk, put it in after the tea is poured. The person chosen to pour the tea is referred to as "Mother." Never use half & half in your tea as it disguises the flavour. Afternoon Teas are popular and a huge treat, so be sure to make reservations, dress up, and tip well. You will be full and happy! 
• Dress code in the UK is "City Chic." Black, black and black. Goes with everything and is east to pack. Bring a lightweight travel raincoat and foldable umbrella and skimmer rain shoes too. You will be glad you did. NO white tennis shoes. NO fanny packs (they scream 'tourist'). Travel web sites have travel clothing with hidden internal zippers. Put a few pounds in your shoes too. 
• When out in public, mind the gaps on tube and train platforms, speak quietly, look RIGHT when crossing any street, and DO NOT eat, drink or chew gum while walking down the street or while on public transportation. Rude!
• Catch phrases are: "Well done", "Brilliant", "Cheers", "Lovely", "Right", "DoneThen", "Fancy a Cuppa?" 
• The Restroom is the "Toilet", "W.C." or "Loo." The elevator is the "Lift." DO NOT say "ride" when referring to an elevator or taxi. "Ride" has a completely different obscene meaning. French fries are "chips." Cookies are "biscuits." Waiting in line is a "queue." "Pants" are underwear. The pharmacy is called the "Chemist." 
• Hand shaking is a firm 2 shakes, then down. Eye contact is square in the eyes, and smile.
• Introductions are "Old World" formal. Use proper titles and say: "How do you do." Women extend their hand first. 
• The British are friendly and very helpful, but reserved and cool.
• At the Pub: Men order a 'Pint", women order a "Half pint." Use your beer brand/logo coaster, and sometimes you can even keep it! 
• The Brits love talking about how they've seen "The Queen", Queen Elizabeth II, & other Royalty, as the Windsor's are always out and about with their charity and Church works. Listen to their stories. Everyone has one! 
• Traditional British Cuisine is Lamb, "Fish & Chips" (Fried fish and french fries), "Bangers & Mash" (sausages and mashed potatoes), great curried anything, tomatoes with every meal, teas, scones and double creams & jams. 
• Table tipping is 10-12%. Hand the tip to the server. Give an extra 5% if the service is excellent. 
• Eat Continental style only. The waiter transfers food from a serving platter to the guest's plate always from the left. The guest of honour is served first. Women are served before men, older before younger. If at home, Mother is served first! Do not place your hands in your lap. Keep your wrists above the table and your elbows OFF the table. DO NOT place your cell phone on the table. Sit up straight. Keep your voice down. Spoon your soup away from you. 
• The famous "Black Taxi" service in England is highly regulated. Drivers must take tests to navigate London, 5 x the size of NYC, by the shortest and quickest route, so do NOT tell them where to go. Tip 15%. Always reliable and a treat to take a Black Cab. 
• Currency in England is the Great British Pound. NO Euro. Tip the porter 2 GBP per bag. Tip the maid 4-5 GBP per day. Tip room service 15%. 
• Time is 24 Hour. Practice subtracting 12.       

Remember: As head of her family and Country, Windsor tradition demanded that Queen Victoria pause and stand in the entrance to receive important visitors. As a result, where is the power in every room? The doorway.