Weird and strange differences:

1. The peace sign we make at home with two fingers like a “V.” I’m pretty sure at one point or another someone said that’s the international sign of peace.  Well, I guess it shows how “peaceful” English people are because here it’s the same as flipping some one off! I still sometimes do it when I’m leaving out of habit and Greg yells at me.  Oi veh.  The first time he told me that I thought he was yanking my chain, but no.  It really is the same as telling someone to F$$$ off.

2. “You alright?” Now, as a typical American girl, I was rather perplexed when a few shopkeepers and people would say this to me.  Do I look upset or something??? No no no, it’s there version of saying “Hey. How are you?”  If you say to an English person “What’s up?” or something like that, then it’s the same as if you asked me “You alright?”  I’m still getting used to it.  You’re supposed to respond to “You alright?” with “Alright?” …yeah I don’t get it either.  I still have 4 weeks to get it down though!

3.  When you’re ordering a burger, the lettuce, tomato and onion (and whatever else) is called “salad.”  So when I go to Wibbly Wobbly for a yummy lamb burger they’ll ask me if I want any sauce (ketchup, mayo, etc.) and then any salad (tomato, onion, pickles, etc.)

Toastie maker

4. Chips = french fries and Crisps = potato chips  BUT they do call curly fries “curly fries.”  I asked someone once why they don’t call them curly chips and they said “That just sounds stupid.”

5. Cheese toastie = grilled cheese.  Jen and I have gotten a lot of crap for calling it a grilled cheese since we usually make it in a frying pan rather on a grill.  We also get yelled at for not using the toastie maker.

6.  They don’t eat a lot of Peanut Butter over here and it’s no wonder why! The PB here is awful! It’s not as creamy and peanut-y tasting.  They also don’t have extra crunchy :-P  My flatmate Jude said that he has never actually had  a PB&J sandwich! :-O That is my mission before I leave.

7.  Speaking of PB&J, don’t call it jelly, call it jam.   Jelly over here is the same as Jell-o at home, and they don’t have “jell-o” over here.  

8.  Don’t make any reference to pants unless you’re among friends…it means underwear.  I’ve heard several stories about American students saying they are cold and should have put pants on while out and about.  This statement was quickly followed by strange stares from everyone that heard them say that.

Hmmm that’s all I can think of now.  

~Carolyn