4 December 2009

in the land......

that sentence has many endings. however two endings in particular are standing out to me at the moment. "in the land...where people say excuse me" and "in the land...of good food."

for some reason people always associate brits with great manners. i can not speak for the entirety of the UK, but people in London are not really polite. well perhaps the queen is polite, but she is not your everyday, average joe on the street. those people are more than happy to run you over and never look back. i was surprised at how quickly i forgot that in some places people say hello and wave for no reason; even if you are a complete stranger. i am so used to people reading as they commute, walking as fast as they can to their next destination and having no superfluous conversation that i forgot it even exists. and then i came back to oklahoma. people say excuse me when the bump into you. they stop and let you pass if two of you happen upon a junction at the same time. people randomly start conversations with you in stores, at cash registers. its crazy. people are so friendly. and i didnt realise just how much i missed that until this week. its so lovely to say hello and smile at complete strangers. and i cant get enough of the "excuse me" Sure brits can queue like there is no tomorrow. make no mistake about it, if something has a wait, there will be a quiet, orderly and tidy queue. but, in london at least, a queue is where the manners stop. and to be honest, i am really loving the friendly down home feeling that middle america has. i just cant get enough.

but its not just the manners that has acted like a comfort blanket for me the past week. its the food too. and it has been amazing. so much for my diet and the last 10 pounds of pregnancy weight. i miss my american food SO MUCH in the UK. and now that i am here, i just want to eat whatever i want. so far i have had real mexican, a party taco from taco bueno (not quite as authentic but just as yummy), chick-fil-a, sonic, real ice tea, panera (oh how i miss the bacon turkey bravo) colby jack cheese and more gold fish than i can count. oh, and of course thanksgiving food. i am still looking forward to some fantastic dishes my mom makes like sloppy joes and her chicken casserole, plus los cabos, cheddars, bbq and of course, many more trips to chick-fil-a.

ah, its good to be back.

4 comments:

Susanna said...

The only thing I can say ... at least Brits know how to queue. Here the concept of a queue is as mythical as a unicorn or gold at the end of a rainbow! Glad you are loving your time right now. Enjoy it.

Diet DP Loving Mom said...

LOL, Susanna, well said. Kristina, I'm glad you are enjoying "home." It funny how food can bring such comfort. Here's to many more trips to Chick-Fil-A! Long live the chicken sandwich and waffle fries!

Sohailah said...

Every tiem I go to PAnera I remember that you love the Turkey Bacon Bravo - it had probably been my first or second time to ever go there - interseting, what one remembers. Many fond memories of you, dear Girl. Welcome home.

Anonymous said...

Lol!!!! It is like you are reading my mind about British manners!!! i'm from Spain and have been living in London for 6 6 years....and...ooohhhH!!! I do feel just like you about it!!!! When I go back to Spain now and a strangers says hello to me or even just smiles at me.... i'm kinda puzzled for a few seconds and then i remember how wonderful, open and attentive people are in other parts of the world ...just not in London.... Hehehe....
xxxx