Abroad: when you can’t take us with you

So you just booked your tickets to attend the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Guess what? You’re screwed. They finished. Jet passes are non-refundable. No one will buy them on eBay. You already have vacation time approved with the boss. Man are you an idiot or what?

going anyway

Since you have the trip to Beatles country to do, you’ll be doing a great sightseeing tour, such as hitting all the pubs in the immediate vicinity of your hotel, The Goring at Beeston Place. He’s already hit the dumb button thinking Britain has the same stations as Australia (an honest mistake, no). You don’t want to look like a complete jerk when you can’t find a Fast Eddies in Trafalgar Square. Forced to visit some lesser European surrogate, you must bring yourself up to speed on the differences between a London slash-pub and one in the good old USA.

Tally ho, boy. Pub is a shortened version of the establishment known as a “public house”. It’s like a gathering place for the whole neighborhood. Think “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name. The person who owns it has a bunch of different nicknames. Owner, host, governor (or correctly pronounced “Guv’nor”) of publican.

bring me a pint

Forget about sitting at a table and having someone serve you. As a customer, you order and pay directly at the bar, then take your drink to the booth. Let the waiter know that he is ready to order by holding the cash in his hand. Credit cards? Not likely. Get your pounds at an ATM or from your wallet.

Did you make some friends? Usually one or two people will come to the counter to do the shopping for the whole table. If you’re hungry for sausages or fish and chips, pay at the bar and a waiter will take care of the delivery. When you decide to move to a new place, leave all your paraphernalia on the table. The staff will take care of it.

You don’t have to buy anything with alcohol in the pub. Have a coffee or a Granini. Mixed drinks? The idea of ​​ordering a daiquiri or a margarita perishes. You are limited to vodka, rum, whiskey or gin with water or a mixer. Beer is the best bet. Ask the bartender about the strength of the brew if you want to get drunk before having fun with Price Harry.

Getting a lager, bitter, strong or ale comes in a full pint unless you specify that you only want a half pint. In terms of measurements, a British pint is 20 ounces. And the cost of the hard stuff will be the same from pub to pub. Is the law.

You call that beer?

It will not be as cold as in the United States. Another thing is even if you ask for a Bud; It’s going to appeal to the British taste buds. That means it will be a little different in your language. One to prove that it’s more of a session beer is Newcastle. It’s pretty mild when it comes to alcohol content.

thanks for the service

You will never have to tip in a pub. However, if you are drinking in a restaurant, 10% is acceptable. Fifteen percent is real. A pub can be offered by attending a drink. Never say “Can I buy you a drink?” It will make them feel like a charity case. Instead, use phrases like, “Can I get you a drink?” or “…how about one for you?” They’ll probably just charge you for an extra pint and drink it at the end of their shift. But they don’t have to wait. There are no laws against drinking a few while at work, in moderation.

Interacting with the natives

It is not forbidden to chat. Tossing the paw for a handshake with the announcement “Hello friend, I’m (your name) from (your country, state or city)” makes you look like a tool. You’ve already gotten pissed off at the thought that the 2012 Summer Olympics are about to start. Do not become an additional ruby. Never invite yourself to a table. At the bar, just sit down and wait for a moment where you can join the conversation. To start, talk about beer, a place you just visited, or the old standby: the weather.

Debates can break out. Friendly discussions. You’re not Rush Limbaugh. You are a senior statesman. Respect the point of view of others. Don’t be snotty or rude. People in England won’t slap you across the jaw in the pub. They will wait until you are outside before patting you on the head.

If someone offers to pour you a pint, enjoy it. The next one is up to you.

Last call

They closed shop early in old Londontown. Like 11pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday, it’s half an hour before. When you hear the Guv’nor ring the bell once, that means he must make his final request. The second bell means that the bar will not serve any more drinks. There’s this thing called “drinking time.” That means you have 20 minutes to gobble up what’s in front of you.

Sure, you missed the Curling competition at the Summer Olympics, but don’t worry. Curling is only played during the winter version.