MONEY
The Brits have peculiar words for many things. Money is referred to as
"goolies" in slang, so you should for instance say "I'd love to come to the
pub but I haven't got any goolies." "Quid" is the modern word for what was
once called a "shilling" the equivalent of seventeen cents American.
MAKING FRIENDS
If you are fond of someone, you should tell him he is a great "tosser" - he
will be touched. The English are a notoriously tactile, demonstrative
people, and if you want to fit in you should hold hands with your
acquaintances and tossers when you walk down the street.
CUSTOMS
Since their Labour government whole-heartedly embraced full union with
Europe the Brits have been attempting to adopt certain continental customs,
such as the large midday meal followed by a two or three hour siesta, which
they call a "wnak." As this is still a fairly new practice in Britain it is
not uncommon for people to over sleep (alarm clocks, alas, do not work there
due to the magnetic pull from Greenwich). If you are late for supper, simply
apologise and explain that you were having a wnak - everyone will understand
and forgive you.
RELAXING
One of the most delightful ways to spend an afternoon in Oxford or Cambridge
is gliding gently down the river in one of their flat-bottomed boats, which
you propel using a long pole. This is known as "cottaging." Many of the
boats (called "yer-i-nals") are privately owned by the colleges, but there
are some places that rent them to the public by the hour. Just tell a
professor or policeman that you are interested in doing some cottaging and
would like to know where the public yerinals are. The poles must be treated
with vegetable oil to protect them from the water, so it's a good idea to
buy a can of Mazola and have it on you when you ask directions to the
yerinals. That way people will know you are an experienced cottager.
FOOD AND WINE
British cuisine enjoys a well-deserved reputation as the most sublime
gastronomic pleasure available to man. Thanks to today's robust dollar,the
American traveller can easily afford to dine out several times a week (rest
assured that a British meal is worth interrupting your afternoon * for).
Few foreigners are aware that there are several grades of meat in the UK.
The best cuts of meat, like the best bottles of gin, bear Her Majesty's
seal, called the British Seal of Excellence (BSE). When you go to a fine
restaurant, tell your waiter you want BSE beef and won't settle for anything
less. If he balks at your request, custom dictates that you jerk your head
imperiously back and forth while rolling your eyes to show him who is boss.
Once the waiter realises you are a person of discriminating taste, he may
offer to let you peruse the restaurant's list of exquisite British wines. If
he does not, you should order one anyway. The best wine grapes grow on the
steep, chalky hillsides of Yorkshire and East Anglia try an Ely '84 or Ripon
'88 for a rare treat indeed. When the bill for your meal comes it will show
a suggested amount. Pay whatever you think is fair, unless you plan to dine
there again, in which case you should simply walk out; the restaurant host
will understand that he should run a tab for you.
TRANSPORTATION
London costs two pounds, no matter how far you travel. If a taxi driver
tries to over charge you, you should yell "I think not, you charlatan!" then
grab the nearest policeman (bobby) and have the driver disciplined. It is
rarely necessary to take a taxi, though, since bus drivers are required to
make detours at patrons' requests. Just board any bus, pay your fare of
thruppence (the heavy gold-coloured coins are "pence"), and state your
destination clearly to the driver, e.g.: "Please take me to British
Library." A driver will frequently try to have a bit of harmless fun by
pretending he doesn't go to your requested destination. Ignore him, as he is
only teasing the American tourist (little does he know you're not so
ignorant!). For those travelling on a shoestringbudget, the London Tube may
be the most economical way to get about, especially if you are a woman.
Chivalry is alive and well in Britain, and ladies still travel for free on
the Tube. Simply take some tokens from the baskets at the base of the
escalators or on the platforms; you will find one near any of the
state-sponsored Tube musicians. Once on the platform, though, beware!
Approaching trains sometimes disturb the large Gappe bats that roost in the
tunnels. The Gappes were smuggled into London in the early 19th century by
French saboteurs and have proved impossible to exterminate. The announcement
"Mind the Gappe!" is a signal that you should grab your hair and look
towards the ceiling. Very few people have ever been killed by Gappes,
though, and they are considered only a minor drawback to an otherwise
excellent means of transportation.
AIRPORTS
One final note: for preferential treatment when you arrive at Heathrow
airport, announce that you are a member of Shin Fane (an International
Jewish peace organisation - the shin" stands for "shalom"). As savvy
travellers know, this little white lie will assure you priority treatment as
you make your way through customs.
Safe travels and Bon Voyage!