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  #26  
Old 01-17-2020, 10:09 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

That's how it kind of works now. Who knows what will happen come March. Bring nylons, cigarettes, energy bars.
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  #27  
Old 01-17-2020, 11:00 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

One thing to remember as a pedestrian, when crossing the street. Look to you Right!
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  #28  
Old 01-17-2020, 11:04 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

You can pay for almost everything with your plastic cards or smartphones, so maybe just get a few dollars or so of coins in pounds or euros in case you want to buy something really cheap like icecreams or burgers from a roadside van or stall or stuff from a vending machine. Supermarkets usually offer 'cash back', and it's a cheap way to get some change - pay with your credit card and ask them for 'five pounds cash back in coins', or whatever and they just charge the extra amount to your card.

You don't have to tip as generously as in America - 10% is plenty if you're pleased with the service, down to nothing if you're not. You only tip in more expensive restaurants with waiter service - it's not expected in fast food joints, pubs where you order at the bar, and similar.

Try to buy some fish and chips from a fish and chip shop if you get the opportunity. You'll be asked if you want salt and vinegar (standard recommended answer is, 'yes please'). Quality is variable - it helps if you can get advice from a local on which local shop is best - but if that's not available, take the chance anyway. The smaller fish and chip shops will expect you to pay cash. Fish and chips is usually a take-away meal wrapped up in paper and you can eat them with your fingers while walking around outside or, better, find a bench to sit on.
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  #29  
Old 01-18-2020, 12:58 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Yes.

I found the transition between UK and France easy ten years ago. Also, bank machines. Also, credit cards. Europe is a decade ahead of North America in this regard.
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  #30  
Old 01-18-2020, 12:59 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Also, putting ketchup on your chips means you're a Trump voter.
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  #31  
Old 01-18-2020, 01:01 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
Originally Posted by LarsMac View Post
One thing to remember as a pedestrian, when crossing the street. Look to you Right!
Many intersections have that painted right on the curb. Didn't save me from almost getting brained by a side mirror.
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  #32  
Old 01-18-2020, 01:44 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Yes. The UK never adopted the Euro so that's not changing anyway. Scotland issues its own pounds which are supposed to be legal tender in the rest of the UK but English people look at you funny when you try, so if you end up with any Scottish pounds try to spend them before you leave.
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  #33  
Old 01-18-2020, 01:48 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
Originally Posted by fragment View Post
but English people look at you funny
This happens anytime for any reason or no reason at all.
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  #34  
Old 01-18-2020, 03:48 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamilah Hauptmann View Post
This happens anytime for any reason or no reason at all.
My experience was mostly studious evasion of looking at people at all. On the tube, anyway.
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  #35  
Old 01-18-2020, 05:13 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Driving there is a trip. It takes a little bit to get the hang of being on the "wrong side", but once you do, it is pretty comfortable and feels natural.
Though, I made the mistake once of taking a car from Germany into the UK. Now I'm in a "normal car" driving on the wrong side of the road.
That was almost too much.
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  #36  
Old 01-19-2020, 08:23 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

No. The small roads are not just called that because they are less emphasised on maps, they are literally maybe not even a car's width, with stone walls on both sides. Like, this could have historically started squabbles or even wars about who backs up when two people on horseback met. Yet two vehicles pass each other on occasion. I always have my eyes covered at that point so I can't say how it happens, but am pretty sure it's some Harry Potter shit.
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  #37  
Old 01-19-2020, 02:43 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

There's not much scarier than driving down a small British countryside lane at night. No room for two cars to pass, headlights coming at you, it's insanity.

And when you're used to driving on the other side of the road it's even worse. You come around a bend, see the headlights on the other side of the road and for an instant you're sure they're on your side. :eek:

Good times. Good times.
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  #38  
Old 01-19-2020, 05:18 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Most hire cars here are manual stick-shift, unless you specially request automatic. You use your left hand to work the gearstick of course - it's down on the floor in the middle of the car where you'd expect it to be - and you have to work the clutch with your left foot. The gearstick moves in a H pattern, but it's an extended H nowadays as most cars have at least five forward gears, plus reverse.

The handbrake (parking brake) is also worked with your left hand, and you have to coordinate using that with the clutch and accelerator (gas pedal) when pulling away up a steep hill.

Most Americans are so terrified by the prospect that they hire a car with an automatic gearbox.

Years ago I worked with a colleague who'd made regular trips to the USA back in the 60s and 70s. When some Americans asked him about driving, he told them that he had a car that he could use around London, but when driving out to his country home he could only get so far before the roads became unsuitable - and he kept his horse stabled there so he could park up his car and ride the rest of the way on horseback. He said he didn't expect to get very far with his story before his friends realized he was joking, but they took it completely seriously and proceeded to ask him about his horse and how far the stables were from his home.
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  #39  
Old 01-21-2020, 11:50 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
Originally Posted by fragment View Post
Scotland issues its own pounds which are supposed to be legal tender in the rest of the UK but English people look at you funny when you try, so if you end up with any Scottish pounds try to spend them before you leave.
That is good advice from Mr Ment, but there is much confusion about what is and isn't legal when it comes to tendering, arising from misunderstanding what the phrase "legal tender" means.

Scots and Northern Irish retail banks issue their own brands of notes, but the English retail banks don't, only the Bank of England. Hence the concept of Scottish (and NI) notes v English notes.

The problem with Scottish notes (I don't recall ever seeing an NI note) is that they look different, and the general public don't trust them. This lack of faith increases as you travel south, but wherever you are you can usually find someone to take them off your hands. If all else fails take them into any bank.
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  #40  
Old 01-21-2020, 03:53 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickthinks View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by fragment View Post
Scotland issues its own pounds which are supposed to be legal tender in the rest of the UK but English people look at you funny when you try, so if you end up with any Scottish pounds try to spend them before you leave.
That is good advice from Mr Ment,
Actually it's Fr. Agment. :preach:
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  #41  
Old 01-24-2020, 04:57 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

I am tempted to send you all the useless coinage I have from Europe just to fuck with people.... SO TEMPTED
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  #42  
Old 01-24-2020, 05:25 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

:eager:
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  #43  
Old 01-24-2020, 05:46 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
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I am tempted to send you all the useless coinage I have from Europe just to fuck with people.... SO TEMPTED
WOOT CROATIAN KUNA
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  #44  
Old 02-14-2020, 08:15 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Oh, in case the esteemed Mr JoeP hasn't told you, I shall also be in London. But I can and probably will just sit in a corner quietly, judging everyone.
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  #45  
Old 02-14-2020, 10:45 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

This old thread?

We should start narrowing down dates and times. And places too, that would help.
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  #46  
Old 02-15-2020, 04:04 AM
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SatW_Sister_Finland_5106.PNG
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  #47  
Old 02-15-2020, 11:34 AM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Totally unrealistic. I can't pull off such a snazzy hair colour.
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  #48  
Old 02-15-2020, 12:41 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

People from Finland like to be different.



It's not just the Finnish though: there are also Latvians, Estonians, Basques, Hebrideans, Bretons, Hungarians, and Turks. :offended:
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  #49  
Old 02-15-2020, 01:23 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Salmonsnakes are terrifying!
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  #50  
Old 02-18-2020, 07:05 PM
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Default Re: Brentrance

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeP View Post
This old thread?

We should start narrowing down dates and times. And places too, that would help.
Okay, what's better for you? Saturday, March 21, before dinner, or Sunday, March 22, after dinner?

As far as places, we don't really know London (except that apparently every streetname is a ripoff of a location from the Harry Potter books), but we're staying at Radisson Blu Edwardian, Grafton, which looks to be nearish "Regent's Park" area, and we're open to recommendations.
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