Gone Gonzo Posts: 1086 Joined: 25 May 2008 | |
Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 768 Joined: 9 Apr 2008 | Well like any country, the UK is quite varied for such a small land area. Would really help if we knew where you were going, before anyone advised anything. Save building up your hopes. Its also hard for us brits to recommend the UK. We live here, and like anyone who lives in a certain area they've grown used to the things people come to the UK to see and find amasing. As brits we also have odd tastes, and a sense of humour about most things, so the most bloody depressing thing in the world is quite nice for us. In our minds we already live there, so anywhere else is up ;-) |
Copy Clerk Posts: 104 Joined: 30 Dec 2008 | I live in Great Britian. Take advantage of the lower drinking age. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1086 Joined: 25 May 2008 |
I've been to GB a couple of times but very restricting becausen they were all lower class school trips and we didn't get a lot of freedom (think 14 year olds). But now I'm 18 and can do a lot more so I'd like some pointers on how to make the best of this. My accent's not too bad (I think) since I always adapt to the accent of the person I'm speaking to (American, British etc.) |
Copy Clerk Posts: 104 Joined: 30 Dec 2008 | If you're going with school it may still be pretty restricted. Whereabouts are you going, if you're going to somewhere like London, just hit up all the famous spots, do a bit of shopping if you feel so inclined. |
On the Record Posts: 5973 Joined: 7 Feb 2008 | I was just in London in September and I'd recommend seeing a High Budget Musical or Play there, it's just, I dunno, different and impressive. |
Beat Writer Posts: 166 Joined: 13 Apr 2008 |
Try the Netherlands. Not something I would advise, since I have no idea what a tourist would want to do here, but it IS very diverse and not even half the size of the UK. And remember: |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1132 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 | Yeah i spent 4 days in britain seen two plays on the west end they were fantastic. |
Copy Clerk Posts: 104 Joined: 30 Dec 2008 |
Yes, exactly that. Also, look up some Al Murray on YT, and assume every British person you meet will be exactly like him. |
Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 768 Joined: 9 Apr 2008 |
Also look at dick van dyke in Mary Poppins. All working class people speak like that. For information on how middle and upper class act, just watch any period piece set in the eighteen hundreds. Thats how they act. Oh, and don't forget to mention your double heritage of France and America. That will win you friends everywhere. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1772 Joined: 18 Nov 2008 | You could try mocking America - that usually keeps us amused for hours... There's plenty of touristy stuff in London. I from the south east corner of England, so basically all we have is a couple of castles and beachy head (the no.1 suicide destinantion)... |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1086 Joined: 25 May 2008 |
...I'm going to pass on everything besides imitating the accent, because the accent's just awesome. |
Copy Clerk Posts: 69 Joined: 28 Dec 2008 | I was with the cast of Pure Pwnage when they came to London, we went out and around the town for the night, but were accosted by some unsavoury individuals who only backed off when they said they were Canadian, not American, so some defensive tips there. We did the typical British pub thing, which was cool. Tried a more clubby thing, it was less cool (we didn't really know the area, which didn't help),although the right spots in London are meant to be immense when it comes to the night-life. Jarett and Geoff seemed to really enjoy a British kebab, which I suppose is worth consuming just the once, for the experience. We also caught some authentic London black cabs somewhere, which seemed to go down well (Miranda was somewhat inebriated and kept on calling everything quaint, which was quite a giggle at the time). I've also taken an American friend to a football game (that's soccer to you), which she thoroughly enjoyed. Also, I'd highly recommend the Trocadero, if you can make it. Biggest arcade gaming centre I've ever been to, anyway. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 2621 Joined: 27 Aug 2008 |
Trust me, we can tell! |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 2019 Joined: 25 Jun 2008 |
I'm sure you'll do fine, just like Steve McClaren. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1044 Joined: 2 Jul 2008 | Where in GB are you going? |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1086 Joined: 25 May 2008 |
I know you can, but I'm not going to use Dutch pronunciation while speaking English.
Hmm yes I think that's due to him being residing in the Netherlands now. Trust me, when you move to a different country you're prone to a shift of accent. My dad had the same thing happen to his Dutch accent and he just moved to the north of the Netherlands, where they have a different accent than down here. He might deny it but I can tell the difference. |
BANNED Posts: 366 Joined: 18 Sep 2008 | One spot definitely worth a look is Camden Market/High Street, especially if you come on a Saturday. Assuming you are going to London there is the whole London Eye/Madame Tussuads thing, but if you are anything like me, you'll probably get bored shitless.
He had been there about 5 minutes when he did that interview. User was banned for: Probation posts. (Permanent) |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1086 Joined: 25 May 2008 |
Really? Well that's just weird. I thought he might have been coaching a Dutch team for some time but if that's the case... |
Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 816 Joined: 19 Dec 2007 | Ah, the United State-Kingdom of Great Englandland. Just remember it's all rural wasteland outside of London, from the inbred sheep-shagging tribals to the west to the leprachauns over the tiny river beyond them and the large area to the north inhabited by a tribe of Mel Gibsons. Anywhere else is populated by goblins and pixies, with chavs ten a penny and the chance of you needing to be rushed to ER (Yes, the TV show) with a fatal whippet injury increasing the further north you head. Just make sure you don't catch a case of the hotpot and you'll be fine. It's a bad illness, one that will have you donning a flat cap and speaking in everything from Yorkshire to BBC Mockney. Also, three rules: 1) If something of yours is stolen, you're in Liverpool. Remedy the situation immediately, as a fight's about to start. 2) If at any time you hear the words "dickhead", "baghead" or "mate" -- run. You're about five seconds away from about fifteen chavs. If you can't avoid them, bribe them with 20p (They like the shiny coins) or alcohol. 3) If someone says to you "Can I bum a fag?", do NOT panic and clench your buttocks together. He's asking for a cigarette. Edit: This phrase will commonly take the form of "Ey! Giz a fag, mate!" |
Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 921 Joined: 10 Nov 2008 | If you see someone walking around in a tracksuit, don't even bother trying to engage in conversation with him, it's like trying to talk to some kind of retarded ape and will probably end with you running away from the whole inbred block of flats while they throw bottles and rubbish(although some are quite clever)insults at you because you have a funny accent. You might get away if they spot a plane or some other kind of flying aircraft as most haven't worked out what they are yet. And remember, YOU WILL GET STABBED! |
BANNED Posts: 366 Joined: 18 Sep 2008 |
Good sound advice, I'd like to add if I may. 4) If you do stray out of London, and some six thumbed farmboy waddles up and blabbers in an unintelligible accent, calmly shout "LOOK, if you can't talk proper, shut your mouth" 5)If somebody says "What you got for me?" you do one of two things. If he/she/it is small and preferrably white, slap them in the face. If however there are i) More than 5 of them ii) They are really big or iii) They got that crazy look, give them all your money. 6) The red light district is in Kings Cross, but it is ILLEGAL in England, so be more subtle than you might be at home. User was banned for: Probation posts. (Permanent) |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 2146 Joined: 7 Sep 2008 | I'll be visiting GB in around six months- London, Bristol, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Sherbourne. .....Any good restaurants you guys can recommend? |
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So it seems that my class is going to go on a trip to Great Britain somewhere in March. I don't know excactly when and where yet, but I'll keep you posted if you're interested.
Now for the sake of conversation and making this an awesome trip I was wondering who of my fellow Escapists lives in Great Britain and what do you suggest we do?
It can be things done with the whole class or just a couple of friends and myself sneaking away during the night or whatever.
Any traditional things we should try, sights we should see, you name it.
NOTE: It's just going to be for a three-day weekend so nothing that would take too much time/money/trouble with the law (a little trouble is okay though).