Trip to The Isles

[Sennz0r]

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).

 

[blackcherry]

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 ;-)

 

[Revernd Awesome]

I live in Great Britian.

Take advantage of the lower drinking age.
and try not to cry when your accent gets mocked

 

[Sennz0r]

I live in Great Britian.

Take advantage of the lower drinking age.
and try not to cry when your accent gets mocked

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.)

 

[Revernd Awesome]

If you're going with school it may still be pretty restricted.
Go to a authentic British Pub, Go see a Football game (actually, I really can't recommend that, you probably won't enjoy it unless you are very interested in the sport.)

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.
Then find a pub/club and tear it up in the evening, same as you would on any city break.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

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.

 

[gamshobny]

Well like any country, the UK is quite varied for such a small land area.

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:
When you're in a car, remember that english drive at thesame side as you do. They like that.
Imitate their accent. They like that.
Insist on paying with dollars. They like that.
If not, insist on paying with euro's. They like that even more.
Don't mension the war. They don't like that.

 

[darkless]

Yeah i spent 4 days in britain seen two plays on the west end they were fantastic.

 

[Revernd Awesome]

And remember:
When you're in a car, remember that english drive at thesame side as you do. They like that.
Imitate their accent. They like that.
Insist on paying with dollars. They like that.
If not, insist on paying with euro's. They like that even more.
Don't mention the war. They don't like that.

Yes, exactly that.

Also, look up some Al Murray on YT, and assume every British person you meet will be exactly like him.

 

[blackcherry]

And remember:
When you're in a car, remember that english drive at thesame side as you do. They like that.
Imitate their accent. They like that.
Insist on paying with dollars. They like that.
If not, insist on paying with euro's. They like that even more.
Don't mention the war. They don't like that.

Yes, exactly that.

Also, look up some Al Murray on YT, and assume every British person you meet will be exactly like him.

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.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

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)...

 

[Sennz0r]

Well like any country, the UK is quite varied for such a small land area.

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:
When you're in a car, remember that english drive at thesame side as you do. They like that.
Imitate their accent. They like that.
Insist on paying with dollars. They like that.
If not, insist on paying with euro's. They like that even more.
Don't mension the war. They don't like that.

...I'm going to pass on everything besides imitating the accent, because the accent's just awesome.
I don't understand what people find interesting about the Netherlands either, there's not a lot of interesting things to do here.

 

[DanDanikov]

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.

 

[rossatdi]

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.)

Trust me, we can tell!

 

[Jamash]

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.)

I'm sure you'll do fine, just like Steve McClaren [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=96Y87ZTyFok].

 

[Hookman]

Where in GB are you going?

 

[Sennz0r]

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.)

Trust me, we can tell!

I know you can, but I'm not going to use Dutch pronunciation while speaking English.

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.)

I'm sure you'll do fine, just like Steve McClaren [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=96Y87ZTyFok].

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.

 

[Sennz0r]

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.

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.

He had been there about 5 minutes when he did that interview.

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...
I still stand by my opinion that someone's accent shifts when they're constantly immersed in it.

 

[Blayze]

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!"

 

[Mr Fatherland]

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!