A few interesting things have occurred to me in the last day or so regarding my visit to London next month.
First:
(I understand that there is a converter available. I’m wondering how many I should purchase, considering the number of electronics we all seem to require for maintaining 21st century living.)
Then there’s:
(This is the best photo I could find to depict International Calling, which is not a part of my current telephone plan.)
Then there’s the whole:
(Driving-on-the-left-hand-side-of-the-road-thing. It’s doubtful that I will be doing any actual driving, but still..)
Followed by:
(The Metric System – ’nuff said.)
And…
(Someone just please tell me whether I need to bring my furry boots or not.)
Then there’s the language barrier to talk about:
PISSED – Here, pissed means mad. There, it means drunk. This could lead to some misunderstanding.
FLAT – If someone in London invites you to their flat, they’re not trying to take you someplace barren – but to their apartment – which may or may not be barren.
BANGER – In London, you’ll get a sausage. In many parts of the U.S., you’ll get a gang-member instead.
BENDER – Another place for some misunderstanding…here, it means drinking binge. In the U.K., it is a derogatory term. I will try not to go on any benders whatsoever.
CHAPS – U.K. = guys, fellas, etc. U.S. = something that gay cowboys wear.
CRISPS – This is how to order potato chips in London. Conversely, ordering CHIPS will get you french fries.
BISCUIT – cookie. I’m not sure what they call biscuits, but will ask.
FAG – Again, a pretty wide margin of error here. In the U.K., they’re cigarettes.
FOOTBALL – soccer. This one I will likely never need.
The list goes on forever, and the point is that – sometime in the last few hundred years – we have taken some extreme liberties with the language. (I hope I don’t make an arse of myself.)
– Dana
Visit my premium video, DVD, and products website at DanaKaneSpanks.com.
Here’s another one for you. I learned this from a lady from the UK.
“Knock me off in the morning.”
It can have some different connotations here. Over there, it means “give me a call in the morning and wake me up.” LOL
Dana, get a Verizon calling card with international capability at Costco. The
toll free dial up access number will be on the card, usually in the UK it’s a “Zero + 800” number.
Luggage stores carry all the adapters you’ll need, particularly for high wattage hair dryers.
Otherwise, they’re findable on Amazon or similar
sites.
If you’ll be driving during your trip, you’ll easily acclimate to driving on the other side of the road. Just train your brain to go to what seems to be the “exact wrong” place and you’ll be ok. Managing your way around rotaries or roundabouts is tricky, but fun, especially if you have the route memorized beforehand. Left exit ramps off of divided highways are also cool. Remember that in certain parts of the UK, particularly the Cotswolds, the roads are so narrow, the side view mirrors could be at risk. Also, don’t rent from a branded agency–they’ll fleece you but good. Find an automobile dealership that also rents cars and get one there–that’s what worked so well for us in Scotland. European based agencies like Europcar and SIXT can also be treacherout. Perhaps your local AAA branch will offer both guidance and maps. Finally, BE WELL AWARE of whether your car takes diesel or gasoline! Sometimes the stickers on filler doors are missing. And by all means, rent a car with an automatic transmission and know in advance that plenty are available at any given time.
You will have such an adventure during your trip, especially the visual overload from shopping the commercial areas. Also, the “tube” in London is very easy to navigate, and please don’t miss the food halls at Harrah’s Knightsbridge store! Unfortunately, the Janus Bookstore on Old Compton Street has apparently closed. I remember sneaking off there between dinner and a play at a nearby theatre and getting a free copy of Aussie spankmag “Paddles”
that neatly fit into my inside coat pocket so nobody was the wiser! It was novel to visit there but was a real dump and was selling bootlegs of Nu West and Shadow Lane videos which royally pissed off owners of both enterprises when I got back stateside and ratted the place out.
Finally–the language barrier. Remember, the word “fanny” doesn’t mean “bottom!” ;-) And if you’ll be meeting with clients, they’ll probably
be engaging your services for a good “hiding.”
A “wayside” along the road is called a “layby,”
and a swimming suit is called a “bathing costume!”
Have a great trip–and also remember to check the fees assessed for using your credit cards abroad. Some companies like Chase now heavily market against competitors by issuing affinity cards with a NO foreign usage fee.
Safe travels, Dana. -JJ
Walking – when you step off a curb – look “RIGHT” for oncoming traffic!!!
Most London intersections have writing on the ground to warn you! Lot’s of tourists get hit by stepping right into a vehicle!!!!!
Miss you!
I believe that “Nimrod” is an insult in the USA but it is a compliment in the UK :)
Using phones from one continent on another continent can be expensive and full of pitfalls. One solution that a lot of travelers use is just to buy a really cheap mobile (cell) phone once your there (you can get them from about 10 pounds in the UK) and then just buy pay per use credits.
Prefectdt
Dont worry – spanking is the international language understood by all. :)
Its a fun place great beer and they love SPANKING!!!!!. Are you going to take you cane and paddles or buy some there?
My father once spent six months in England, and he brought home a label from a frozen-food package. The photograph was of meatballs in a sauce. The description? “Four Faggots in Gravy.”
Yes, there are a few differences. No one has “junk in their trunk” there. They have “loot in their boot.”
Hi
You probably need no more than 3 adaptors.
The Verizon card idea for the phone is a good one. Either your USA cell won’t work here or it will cost you a fortune to use.
Don’t bother with the driving but do look right first when you cross a road.
Do bring your boots and a warm coat and furry hat. Also a good pair of pj’s as we keep our rooms cold.
Have fun and don’t talk to any strange men.
Michael M
beware the “Fanny”
This London boy is so much looking forward to your visit. I believe you’ll love it here. As has already been commented, spanking is an international language, and we speak it very fluently in the UK. “Bend over” is pretty clear in any dialect!
No, you shouldn’t need furry boots. Weather can be changeable/unpredictable at end of March but not especially cold.
Sorry, I must correct Bobby-Jo. “Knock me up in the morning” would get you a wake-up call; “knock me off” has a rather different connotation and is something I’m sure you won’t be inviting.
One of the language differences you didn’t mention that might well be occupationally relevant is ‘pants’. Pants to us are underpants; what you call pants we call trousers (or jeans if they’re denim).
Can’t wait for the end of March!
UKL
Thank you all for your input and suggestions. It’s beginning to seem a bit overwhelming (which, in itself, is a bit melodramatic) but I have a month to get things straightened out. Cross your fingers for me.
– Dana
Dont buy the adaptors at the airport..
buy from Amazon.com
If you have Skype on your phone, and those you nees to contact back in one of the ex colonies, and you have free wireless in your hotel room.. then its free.. But the Costco option is a great one..
Dont forget your Oyster pass to get around on the london underground.. cheaper than buying a paper ticket..
Trunks are swimming costumes in britain.. so saying i am just going to put this in my trunk is interesting..
Boots are what you wear, and what we call the trunks of cars..
Bonnets are the front of the car.. what you call hoods..
In london, whilst walking, and walking across roads, look left and right..
the amount of visitors that miss stuff by not looking up.
And be aware london is quite expensive.. And we have Costa coffee shops, which are miles better than Starbucks..which we have as well..
Go for the vanilla latte..
Enjoy…
stewart(UK)
Mind the gap!
~olivia