NationStates Jolt Archive

In the interest of finding out first hand what London is like (I've lived in Europe before, mind you), and to post from the UK as an American, I'll be spending the next three months at the Grange Holborn in London (a nice hotel).

I'll be doing some consulting for a UK company, and travelling during that time around the London area, as well as taking short trips to Dublin (yes, I know where that is, too).

I'll be posting my observations of the UK while I'm there - in this thread. I'll try to keep up with the "local" politics, and make comparisons of what I see in London (I'm coming from the capital area of the US, so I'll start with that comparison).

Feel free to say I'm full of it, missed the boat, or don't know what I'm talking about.

Oh, and since I'm not allowed to carry a firearm in the UK, I'll actually be unarmed for a while. Might take some getting used to.

Have fun...

I've never been to the UK, although I wanted to. There's ferries going from Hamburg, I think - it would make for a fun journey over the sea.

But yeah, who knows, maybe you'll get used to the idea of not carrying a murder-tool with you, and you'll get over your addiction. ;)

Say goodbye to anything resembling water pressure (that entire country is devoid of it) or sensible plumbing with modern faucets.

Say goodbye to anything resembling water pressure (that entire country is devoid of it) or sensible plumbing with modern faucets.

So a five star hotel won't have adequate water pressure?

Hmm... I'll have to verify this...

You're full of it. You've missed the Boat. You don't know what you're talking about. (the wit!)

No, but seriously, should be interesting. As for what Fass says, it's true, and it's highly annoying.

So a five star hotel won't have adequate water pressure?
Hmm... I'll have to verify this...

Unless they've somehow wisened up to water towers and water pumps since last I was there, I'd doubt even they have it. It's like that episode of Seinfeld. Be prepared to never quite be able to get all the conditioner out.

Say goodbye to anything resembling water pressure (that entire country is devoid of it) or sensible plumbing with modern faucets.

We don't have 'faucets', we have 'taps'.

We don't have 'faucets', we have 'taps'.

Who is we? I heard faucet all the time in the UK. I would rest my case, though.

Who is we? I heard faucet all the time in the UK. I would rest my case, though.

We can consider your case rested, but the word 'faucet' is hardly ever used, except perhaps in certain technical areas or as local colloquialism. Where in the UK did you hear it in widespread use?

We can consider your case rested, but the word 'faucet' is hardly ever used, except perhaps in certain technical areas or as local colloquialism. Where in the UK did you hear it in widespread use?

BTW, some co-workers warned me about breakfast. But they wouldn't tell me why.

Hopefully it isn't anything like the "Europe" breakfast I had in Tokyo (a poached egg sitting on top of a bowl of plain oatmeal).

In the interest of finding out first hand what London is like (I've lived in Europe before, mind you), and to post from the UK as an American, I'll be spending the next three months at the Grange Holborn in London (a nice hotel).

I'll be doing some consulting for a UK company, and travelling during that time around the London area, as well as taking short trips to Dublin (yes, I know where that is, too).Can I borrow your Wife & Guns? :p
Oh, and since I'm not allowed to carry a firearm in the UK, I'll actually be unarmed for a while. Might take some getting used to.
BS. You will find some way to deal with the Chavs... even if it means hauling Pure Metal everywhere you go.... :D

The real question to be answered is "What are you going to do without your side--arm for the next three months?"

Hm, as a citizen of London I can answer the queries so far.

I never hear the word 'Faucets' always 'Taps'.

A breakfast here, you won't find Pancakes and Waffles (and the like), either a Full English or Cereal and the usual old stuff.

And guns are a bad idea ^^

The real question to be answered is "What are you going to do without your side--arm for the next three months?"

Well, we'll find out if London is as peaceful as they say.

I do need to know what the "appropriate" response is to "happy slapping" just in case it happens. I had thought to hold the person by their clothing and kick one of their knees out, but not sure if that qualifies as an "excessive" use of force.

Say goodbye to anything resembling water pressure (that entire country is devoid of it) or sensible plumbing with modern faucets.
Not in the North it isn't. The water pressure here is in fact too strong sometimes. I am quite surprised you found this to be a problem by the way. Low water pressure was indeed a problem in Mediterreanean countries I've visited, but the UK does not seemed to be plagued by this nuissance.

In any case, hope you enjoy your trip Deep Kimchil :) London is fascinating. Make the most of the visit.

And guns are a bad idea ^^

Indeed. In the UK we employ the 'don't-fuck-with-me' stare as a deterent instead. It has caused a remarkably low amount of fatalities, and there are no recorded instances of it ever killing anyone by accident whilst it was being cleaned.

Indeed. In the UK we employ the 'don't-fuck-with-me' stare as a deterent instead.
Ah. A cultural difference! In most of the US that is considered a challange equivelant to slapping with a glove.... :p

Ah. A cultural difference! In most of the US that is considered a challange equivelant to slapping with a glove.... :p

It's not a stare directed at anyone, rather past them or through them.

Well, we'll find out if London is as peaceful as they say.

I do need to know what the "appropriate" response is to "happy slapping" just in case it happens. I had thought to hold the person by their clothing and kick one of their knees out, but not sure if that qualifies as an "excessive" use of force.
I vote for liberal use of a baseball bat, excuse me, cricket bat. Best advice I have is to stay away from groups of kids at bus stops and train platforms.

I wish I were facing that sort of problem. My next business trip is on the Army Missile Launch Platform. That's three weeks of fun on an old Navy LPH for the purpose of tracking a missile through about ten minutes of flight.

We can consider your case rested, but the word 'faucet' is hardly ever used, except perhaps in certain technical areas or as local colloquialism. Where in the UK did you hear it in widespread use?

Interestingly, Brighton and London, and also Cambridge. It might have been due to the fact that I referred to them as "faucets" and they didn't want to use "tap" around me. It mostly came up when I was complaining over that whole arcane system of two faucets: one for cold, and one for warm water. Made it impossible to either not freeze your hands or old scold your face. The UK in general has lower standards on these sorts of things than us Nordics are used to, but I try not to act too spoilt.

It's not a stare directed at anyone, rather past them or through them.
Yep, the British tend to be to polite to stare directly at you. A piercing gaze is so much more potent anyway ;) The British epitomise sang-froid.

It mostly came up when I was complaining over that whole arcane system of two faucets: one for cold, and one for warm water. Made it impossible to either not freeze your hands or old scold your face.

What is so difficult about mixing hot and cold water in the sink before applying it to your tender flesh?

What is so difficult about mixing hot and cold water in the sink before applying it to your tender flesh?

It's disgusting, really. What's so difficult about mixing the water directly in the faucet, letting you decide on what temperature you'd like on the fly, without having to use water contaminated in the nasty-ass sink? It's not all futuristic an accomplishment, you know.

I vote for liberal use of a baseball bat, excuse me, cricket bat. Best advice I have is to stay away from groups of kids at bus stops and train platforms.
A billiard ball in a sock works well too. :D

It's disgusting, really. What's so difficult about mixing the water directly in the faucet, letting you decide on what temperature you'd like on the fly, without having to use water contaminated in the nasty-ass sink? It's not all futuristic an accomplishment, you know.
Agreed. It also leads to a waste of time trying to find the right balance between hot and cold water. Highly annoying.

It's disgusting, really. What's so difficult about mixing the water directly in the faucet, letting you decide on what temperature you'd like on the fly, without having to use water contaminated in the nasty-ass sink? It's not all futuristic an accomplishment, you know.
Wow. Fass is ragging on somebody other than Bush or the US!

Astonishing. ;)

Agreed. It also leads to a waste of time trying to find the right balance between hot and cold water. Highly annoying.

I take it the irony of posting complaints about wastes of time on NS General is not lost on you.

And those valuable seconds could, instead, have been used to post on NS?
Lets just say I am not particularly keen on trying to find the perfect balance between hot and cold, often burning myself in the process, when the hot water suddenly decides to fluctuate temperatures. Turning this into a matter of national pride are you? :p

PS: In reply to your edited post, lets just say I find NS to be less of a waste of time than adjusting water temperatures. In any case, the uni I am at faces no such problem. :)

It's disgusting, really. What's so difficult about mixing the water directly in the faucet, letting you decide on what temperature you'd like on the fly, without having to use water contaminated in the nasty-ass sink? It's not all futuristic an accomplishment, you know.

We, the proud island race, tackle the problem by an exercise of skill, rather than relying on technological crutches to ease our way through such troubles in life. Mixer taps come at the cost of a part of your humanity, you know? Did Aristotle say that the purpose of being human was to make life easy? Nope, he said it was to exercise human skills.

Well the English Breakfast in my opinion is not the best. You will see what I am talking about. The water pressure. Well maybe that is down south in the London area. I use to live in Leeds with a girlfriend for awhile. There was no problem what so ever with the water pressure. Prepare to spend more money than you are use to for food. That is one thing that really suprised me compared to the states.

As far as places to see. I would suggest some areas outside of London. The Roman baths of "Bath". Best preserved Roman baths I have seen in the world. Stonehenge of course is not to be missed. Was suprised at how it was in the middle of two freeway systems. Plan on reserving time in it to actually get up close. When I was there last you could not walk in between the actual ring without a special reservation. Could have changed by now. Was also suprised about the sheer size of the actual Stonehenge site. Take a drive up to York if you would like to see a preserved mid-evil downtown area. Was interesting I thought. Also near York is one of the best Railroad museums in the world. These would be my suggestions. Of course if your looking for trouble there is plenty of that to go around. Also do not ever step in front of or get close to a moving taxi. They will not avoid you. Just a friendly warning...;)

We, the proud island race, tackle the problem by an exercise of skill, rather than relying on technological crutches to ease our way through such troubles in life. Mixer taps come at the cost of a part of your humanity, you know? Did Aristotle say that the purpose of being human was to make life easy? Nope, he said it was to exercise human skills.
Perhaps he was a bit of a masochist :p

We, the proud island race, tackle the problem by an exercise of skill, rather than relying on technological crutches to ease our way through such troubles in life. Mixer taps come at the cost of a part of your humanity, you know? Did Aristotle say that the purpose of being human was to make life easy? Nope, he said it was to exercise human skills.

You need to take a step into the 20th century. I don't frequent your island enough to get all that bent out of shape over it, but I do know to put it on my list when I reserve hotel rooms.

You need to take a step into the 20th century. I don't frequent your island enough to get all that bent out of shape over it, but I do know to put it on my list when I reserve hotel rooms.
I found most hotels we stayed in quite up to modern standards, especially the Hilton. Were you perhaps staying at some of the more antique ones?

Perhaps he was a bit of a masochist :p

Well, Xanthippe has gone down in history as a bit of a bully, so who knows?

You need to take a step into the 20th century.

I'm quite happy in the 21st, thank you very much.

Well, Xanthippe has gone down in history as a bit of a bully, so who knows?
Well she definitely had a peculiar name, especially if you translate it.

I found most hotels we stayed in quite up to modern standards, especially the Hilton. Were you perhaps staying at some of the more antique ones?

Oh, I usually stay over at friends and, shall we say, new acquaintances that I know only for the night, and they have almost all had the ancient type of plumbing. Hotels were a hit and miss in the beginning, but, as you said, if you choose one of those major chains (I of course like Radisson SAS), you're all right. I still always ask before making the reservation at new places, though.

Well she definitely had a peculiar name, especially if you translate it.

I've got a long grey mare, she won't let me ride
I got a long grey mare, she won't let me ride
She makes me brush her in the morning
And put her to bed every night

Long grey mare, why can't we be just like before
Long grey mare, why can't we be just like before
We used to ride so hard
Until we just couldn't ride no more

I'm quite happy in the 21st, thank you very much.

Except for your quasi-Roman plumbing standard.

Oh, I usually stay over at friends and, shall we say, new acquaintances that I know only for the night, and they have almost all had the ancient type of plumbing.

By 'ancient' do you mean lead piping?

In the interest of finding out first hand what London is like (I've lived in Europe before, mind you), and to post from the UK as an American, I'll be spending the next three months at the Grange Holborn in London (a nice hotel).

I'll be doing some consulting for a UK company, and travelling during that time around the London area, as well as taking short trips to Dublin (yes, I know where that is, too).

I'll be posting my observations of the UK while I'm there - in this thread. I'll try to keep up with the "local" politics, and make comparisons of what I see in London (I'm coming from the capital area of the US, so I'll start with that comparison).

Feel free to say I'm full of it, missed the boat, or don't know what I'm talking about.

Oh, and since I'm not allowed to carry a firearm in the UK, I'll actually be unarmed for a while. Might take some getting used to.

I'll watch your house while you're gone. ...Do you have cable? Does this sofa fold out? Um... Are your neighbors easily disturbed by loud party and/or smashing noises?

Oh, I usually stay over at friends and, shall we say, new acquaintances that I know only for the night, and they have almost all had the ancient type of plumbing. Hotels were a hit and miss in the beginning, but, as you said, if you choose one of those major chains (I of course like Radisson SAS), you're all right. I still always ask before making the reservation at new places, though.
Luckily most domiciles I have visited in the UK have had no such problem, although a few of the hotels were a different story. As for the new "acquaintances", I wouldn't hold my expectations too high in such cases :p

Except for your quasi-Roman plumbing standard.

Hey, we (for the most part) ditched the lead piping about 50 years back. 2,000 years out of it ain't so bad, now is it?

Luckily most domiciles I have visited in the UK have had no such problem, although a few of the hotels were a different story. As for the new "acquaintances", I wouldn't hold my expectations too high in such cases :p

One does put up with a lot for a shag.

Hey, we (for the most part) ditched the lead piping about 50 years back. 2,000 years out of it ain't so bad, now is it?

Now all you need to do is let go of the last, wretched vestiges.

One does put up with a lot for a shag.
Perhaps charging for them would be the way to go then, especially when they are less than pleasing. Although doing so would definitely leave you with a bad reputation. :p

Perhaps charging for them would be the way to go then, especially when they are less than pleasing. Although doing so would definitely leave you with a bad reputation. :p

I'm not a prostitute - I am a whore. There is a difference. And most are pleasing, despite their humble abodes.

I'm not a prostitute - I am a whore. There is a difference. And most are pleasing, despite their humble abodes.
The difference being? :p I thought the difference was usually drawn between slut and whore, not prostitute and whore.

The difference being? :p I thought the difference was usually drawn between slut and whore, not prostitute and whore.

I consider prostitutes to be people who take money for sexual favours. My loving is free, which makes me just promiscuous, and for that I choose whore, despite the traditional synonym. Slut sounds not as premeditated as whore, which has the added value of being gender neutral.

I consider prostitutes to be people who take money for sexual favours. My loving is free, which makes me just promiscuous, and for that I choose whore, despite the traditional synonym. Slut sounds not as premeditated as whore, which has the added value of being gender neutral.
I was wondering why you would consider it distinct to its synonym, yet if that is how you perceive it then there is indeed a difference. Anyway, I digress and we are deviating way off the main topic's theme.

I was wondering why you would consider it distinct to its synonym, yet if that is how you perceive it then there is indeed a difference. Anyway, I digress and we are deviating way off the main topic's theme.

Well, Deep Kimchi may be in the market for male prostitutes. His claims of warped bisexuality, while not all that believable, are not to be forgotten.

Well, Deep Kimchi may be in the market for male prostitutes. His claims of warped bisexuality, while not all that believable, are not to be forgotten.
Even if I were to feign attraction, he'd still find the supply side of the market rather empty. He'll have to wait for someone to come along with the appropriate inclinations.

Even if I were to feign attraction, he'd still find the supply side of the market rather empty. He'll have to wait for someone to come along with the appropriate inclinations.

Shouldn't take too much time in the UK, though.

Shouldn't take too much time in the UK, though.
Might explain his apparent absence at the present time.

Might explain his apparent absence at the present time.

He isn't in the UK, yet, I gather from the OP. Just saying he's gonna go there. Or has my sleepiness completely wreaked havoc with my ability to comprehend written English?

He isn't in the UK, yet, I gather from the OP. Just saying he's gonna go there.
Ah confused him with someone else. Well, he will be soon enough. Better bring with his American Express.

Ah confused him with someone else. Well, he will be soon enough. Better bring with his American Express.

I recall many places refusing those. They do on the continent, at least.

I recall many places refusing those. They do on the continent, at least.
And, peculiarly enough, they refuse Visa's in some areas. That left me baffled.

And, peculiarly enough, they refuse Visa's in some areas. That left me baffled.

They refuse Visas? How gauche. Well, one should always have at least a common Visa/Mastercard. That tends to have you covered.

They refuse Visas? How gauche. Well, one should always have at least a common Visa/Mastercard. That tends to have you covered.
Indeed. It can be quite humiliating having your card refused when you had made the decision not to burden yourself with "needless" cash. So much for plastic power.

Indeed. It can be quite humiliating having your card refused when you had made the decision not to burden yourself with "needless" cash. So much for plastic power.

As quaint as it is, I still tend to buy some cash at my local bank before going abroad. You can't expect cards to be as reliable as they are here, I've learnt the hard way. Waiting for hours for a money wire to be processed in some minor bank affiliate in the middle of nowhere is no fun.

As quaint as it is, I still tend to buy some cash at my local bank before going abroad. You can't expect cards to be as reliable as they are here, I've learnt the hard way. Waiting for hours for a money wire to be processed in some minor bank affiliate in the middle of nowhere is no fun.
No fun at all. Especially if no one knows where the money is being wired to. Sometimes I wonder how far stuck into the stone age the monetary system really is. Although money wires are a whole lot better than cheques. Those are my pet hatred.

No fun at all. Especially if no one knows where the money is being wired to. Sometimes I wonder how far stuck into the stone age the monetary system really is. Although money wires are a whole lot better than cheques. Those are my pet hatred.

I've never actually dealt with a check, ever. I don't think I'd even know how to issue one, or whatever it is you're supposed to do with them.

I've never actually dealt with a check, ever. I don't think I'd even know how to issue one, or whatever it is you're supposed to do with them.
Issuing them is the easy part, even though I can't say I've ever done so. Cashing them, on the other hand, is a true bane. They can take up to an entire week to be cleared.

Issuing them is the easy part, even though I can't say I've ever done so. Cashing them, on the other hand, is a true bane. They can take up to an entire week to be cleared.

That is like so 50s. Sort of like the UK. :p

That is like so 50s. Sort of like the UK. :p
The frightening part is that the UK is actually far more advanced than most other countries. In other countries, asking a bank to open post meridiem is putting them through abuse. In South Africa the notion of a bank opening such few hours was ludicrous. Elsewhere, its the norm.

The frightening part is that the UK is actually far more advanced than most other countries. In other countries, asking a bank to open post meridiem is putting them through abuse. In South Africa the notion of a bank opening such few hours was ludicrous. Elsewhere, its the norm.

Banks. I haven't been to an actual one in I think three years. Everything I need to do, I can do on-line or over the phone with my personal contact. I keep forgetting how life used to be without all this information technology around us.

Banks. I haven't been to an actual one in I think three years. Everything I need to do, I can do on-line or over the phone with my personal contact. I keep forgetting how life used to be without all this information technology around us.
Count yourself lucky then. For the time being I am not allowed to open an online account with a UK account, although I can authorise monetary transfers from my main bank. You have to reside within the UK for one year. This is where plastic power comes in handy. It also leads to an unhealthy (for my finances) addiction with online shopping.

Count yourself lucky then. For the time being I am not allowed to open an online account with a UK account, although I can authorise monetary transfers from my main bank. You have to reside within the UK for one year. This is where plastic power comes in handy. It also leads to an unhealthy (for my finances) addiction with online shopping.

Isn't South Africa in the commonwealth, or something? You'd think that would give you at least some perks while in the UK. The EU has made my life easier when it comes to those sorts of things.

Isn't South Africa in the commonwealth, or something? You'd think that would give you at least some perks while in the UK. The EU has made my life easier when it comes to those sorts of things.
It has Commonwealth status, but its relationship with the UK is somewhat vague. For all the UK's alleged closeness to its fellow Commonwealth members, its far more favourable to other EU members. Residence in Cyprus for a number of years conferred me with EU citizenship, and even so, the UK is still somewhat strict with regard to what you can and can't do.