Run-ins with the British stiff upper lip

It is not a lie. The Londoners have a stiff upper lip. Perhaps it is just "being in a big city". (But isn't Dallas a big city?) Either way, after 10 months, I am still surprised from time to time of the lack of southern hospitality that I'm use to at home.

Let's recall a recent episode of a language barrier.... That was not a barrier but more of a passive aggressive fight.

I wanted to get my bangs trimmed. I called a place in central London, close to where I live. Also in the heart of TOURIST central.

Me: Hi, I was wondering if I could get my bangs cut.

Lady: Yes, you can get your FRINGE cut

(Now, I happen to know that the Brits call bangs "fringe", and I'm all about adapting to the culture... But lady, you work in central London on the most touristy tube station. What if I didn't know? Oh yea, and you are in the service industry)

Me: How much does it cost to get my BANGS cut?

Lady: We charge 5 pounds to get your FRINGE cut. 

Me: So if I want to get my BANGS cut, do I need an appointment? Or just walk in and ask for a trim for my BANGS?

Lady: Just call and say you want to get your FRINGE trimmed and we will make an appointment. 

Ahhhhh. I nearly hung up the phone and said "BANG you very much".

Thanksgiving of an expat

For all those people who have asked (including the hotel concierge), NO I am NOT going home for thanksgiving. It's simply a bad time to go on the project and it just didn't sound like the end of the world when I made the decision not to fly home for only 4 days with December around the corner.

And yes, I know that there are some restaurants that "serve thanksgiving food". But being away makes you realize it's not about the stuffed squash that Mrs. Katims makes. It's much more about the people you spend it with and the family traditions. You can "eat turkey and stuffing" on a random Tuesday in May if you want. I don't think expats miss the turkey as much as family and friends.

And then today, I had a new realization. I was walking to work and was thinking of the random items of clothing I need to get. Such as heels since this city (I'm convinced) actually eats them. And work pants/trousers (depending on what country you are from) since walking to work and riding the tube actually wears out your clothes more. And a new coat because turns out you can never have enough.

Then it hit me. Whoa. I am missing "the day after thanksgiving" shopping. Noooooo. Travesty. 

Turns out I will be missing my family, friends, and day after shopping. Sigh.

(Side note: seeing as I am a vegetarian, I'll actually be eating Turkish food on thanksgiving. I think that counts, right?)

Pub culture - Extreme edition

There is no question about it. London had a pub culture (that is probably not a surprise to you). 

We are working late hours? Let's get a drink to console ourselves. We aren't working late? Let's celebrate with a pint. 

It's cold out? Nothing like a drink inside a warm pub - what else is there to do! Warm out? Grab a pint outside a pub to enjoy the weather.

Sports are played in pubs. Work meetings are held in pubs. Dates are held in pubs. 

The thing about the British pub culture is they have a little rhyme that goes "eating is cheating"... Which means that people go straight to the pubs and drink themselves silly without dinner (except for those sneaky Brits that grab pret sandwiches on the way and try not to tell anyone). This is the worst rhyme ever (especially if you are a Portuguese colleague who values a long dinner the way some of is value our iPhones... Or tv shows like Breaking Bad)

"Eating is cheating" is the cause of events like this. In the tube station.

Yes, that man is sleeping on a stack of newspapers. Soundly. Guess a good pint is better than Advil PM?

Halloween across the pond

The evolution of Halloween in the states:

(1) You dress up like your favorite superhero and go trick-or-treating

(2) Then you become "of age" and you dress up in a costume that is more scandalous and go to a college party

(3) Suddenly, you embark on your mid-late twenties and you wake up on November 1st to see Facebook covered with pictures of babies and dogs in costumes.

But we all know this. Let's talking British Halloween...

(1) Children may actually never hear or know of trick-or-treating. Did you read that right? THE KIDS DONT TRICK OR TREAT. And the ones who do? Go to prearranged houses... Good luck getting a pillowcase full of candy with that one..

(2) You become an adult and you GASP may not celebrate it, and if you do? Well, you actually dress scary (you heard me right boys, no scandalous costumes..)

(3) Oh wait, none of my British friends have kids so I don't actually have British children dressed up on my newsfeed... Hmm

This is something that should be plastered all over travel guides... I imagine it like a reverse "Mean Girl" situation where an American would dress scandalously at a British party where people are dressing like scary zombies and mummies etc.

No one brought Halloween candy into the office either. What a strange twist on normality. My team however went on a haunted London bus tour (which you could also take in June) organized by an American (me..) The team was highly encouraged to dress up.