How to Speak Like A Brit

[njdesi]

Preparing for my trip to London, I came across this. Something tells me this article is a bit dated. Ta, you bloomin' wankers.

How to Learn Key Phrases in British English

Although it may seem like we speak the same language, Americans and Brits use many different words and expressions. Learning a bit of British English is the easiest way to consider yourself bilingual!

Steps:
1. Say "cheerio" for hello and good-bye. It is considered friendly and more informal.

2. Say "cheers" for thank you and good-bye, or say "ta," which is a slang abbreviation.

3. Be careful on the road. The "Give Way" sign means yield, which doesn't exist as a sign in Great Britain.

4. Use "loo" for bathroom, "queue" for line, "bin" for garbage or trash can, "boot" for trunk (of a car), and "baggage" instead of luggage. Use "chemist" instead of pharmacy, and "tube" or "underground" for the subway. This will avoid any confusion.

5. Use "crisps" for potato chips, and "chips" for fries.

6. Refrain from use of the word "common" to mean popular; in Great Britain, it often means low-class.

7. Avoid "bloody" or "shag" - these are off-color words in England. Use "blooming" and "blinking" instead - words that are comparable to "darn."


Tips:

Be modest and reserved. Don't initially launch into personal conversations with Brits, or casually make physical contact, such as hugging.

Be quiet. The British often consider Americans loud, especially in public.

Be patient. Service in restaurants, for example, can be slower in Great Britain.

[njdesi]

This article seems to be more reasonable. Or is just as bad as the first one?

How to Eat in London on the Cheap

English food is nothing to laugh at any more. In fact, London is quickly getting a reputation as one of the best restaurant cities in the world. But good food often comes at a high price, so shop around if you're on a tight food budget.

Steps:
1. Save a few pounds with takeout ("take away") food. It's almost always cheaper to get food "to go" because the Value Added Tax (VAT) isn't collected on takeout food, nor is the usual built-in service charge.

2. Eat ethnic. There are some great deals in London on curries, kebabs and various specialties from India, Asia, the Middle East and many other regions. Just bear in mind that dishes may sometimes come with french fries ("chips") rather than the rice you might otherwise expect.

3. Dine on pub food. It's hard to predict - sometimes heavy and starchy, sometimes wonderful - but it's usually cheap and filling, and you can have a pint of ale or lager while you eat, if you like.

4. Go grocery shopping, and buy what you need for a few days. Of course, this works best if you have a fridge or cooler in your room, but you can picnic on nonperishable foods.

5. Eat vegetarian. Although not every veggie restaurant in London is cheap, many of them offer excellent value. Try some of the vegetarian restaurants in the Neal's Yard area (near Covent Garden).

6. Eat fish and chips. It's still a good budget standby, although the quality varies widely. Stand outside and take a deep breath: If you smell rancid oil, move along to the next fish and chip shop!

7. Ask around. People who live in any given neighborhood probably know the best and cheapest places to eat; most will be willing to offer a suggestion or two.

Tips:

Good, cheap food can often be found at the various public markets around London; just check to make sure that the food is being prepared under sanitary conditions.

Look for lineups or "queues." It's easy to tell where the good food and good value can be found in most London neighborhoods - just look for the locals, and get in line behind them!

Warnings:

Always consider service charges and taxes when you are trying to estimate the price of a meal. These charges can add 30 percent or 40 percent to the cost of your dinner. Also remember that most restaurants will charge you for bread, unlike spots in the United States and Canada.

Avoid tourist traps and eateries in expensive or trendy neighborhoods - an upscale atmosphere invariably leads to a price increase.

Tips from eHow Users:

You Say Potato by Minda V.
You will find stands that sell "jacket potatoes." These are the English equivalent of a huge baked potato with your choice of toppings. They are deliciously hot in the damp British climate, and they are filling enough to be a meal. Enjoy!

[Wally Dorian Raffles]

8. If somebody asks you what you want for lunch, just say "I'll have a chip-buddy like everyone else thanks - there's a war on, you know?"

[hooter]

njdesi, why London?

Its an absolute shithole, if you want to see England avoid London.

Get yerself up north.

[Harry]

If you want to see England avoid London.

Agreed, especially if you're a merkin...

When ordering a coffee in the UK use the following structure: 'Please may I have xxxx'. Under no circumstances should you say 'Can I get xxx'. This makes you sound like a pathetic, shallow, easily influenced dickhead who relies on American sitcoms for your means of communication.

Oh, and if I am behind you in the queue you will also get punched in the face repeatedly.

[njdesi]

When ordering a coffee in the UK use the following structure: 'Please may I have xxxx'. Under no circumstances should you say 'Can I get xxx'. This makes you sound like a pathetic, shallow, easily influenced dickhead who relies on American sitcoms for your means of communication.

Oh, and if I am behind you in the queue you will also get punched in the face repeatedly.

Unfortunately, we won't have the opportunity to bash each other at the local Starbucks. I am buying a ticket on one of those open top tourist buses and will be snapping pics of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc. Then I am off to Barcelona that night.

[Marmite the Dog]

Seeing as the person who wrote this has probably never left the US, I've corrected it for you, Desi.

Steps: 1. Say "cheerio" for good-bye. It is considered friendly and more informal.
2. Say "cheers" or "ta" for thank you.
3. Be careful on the road. The "Give Way" sign means yield, which doesn't exist as a sign in Great Britain.
4. Use "loo" or "toilet" for bathroom, "queue" for line, "bin" for garbage or trash can, "boot" for trunk (of a car), and "baggage" instead of luggage. Use "chemist" instead of pharmacy, and "tube" or "underground" for the subway. This will avoid any confusion.
5. Use "crisps" for potato chips, and "chips" for "home fries" and "fries" for French fries.
6. Refrain from use of the word "common" to mean popular; in Great Britain, it often means low-class or from up North.
7. Avoid "bloody" or "shag" - these are off-color words in England. Use "blooming" and "blinking" instead - words that are comparable to "darn."

[machangezi]

9. When you meet a stranger, in London of course, don't forget to greet him / her by saying "hello love".

10. Always pronounce 'th' as 'f' and always silent 't' at the end of words such as 'sor' for 'sort'.

'Bath' is the city that must be visited IMO.

[njdesi]

Thanks, Marmite.

Macha, can you teach me some British slang?

[Storekeeper]

In most countries I believe you should adapt to the local ways. But if I ever go to England again or interact with one of the sLimeys I prfer to just say ... fug off limey dork.

[njdesi]

njdesi, why London?

Its an absolute shithole, if you want to see England avoid London.

Get yerself up north.

Would love to, but won't have time. What area/city would you recommend anyway? My cousin is studying for a semester in London, so he might want to take a day trip somewhere else.

[machangezi]

As I said earlier go and see 'Bath'. Historic city with loads of tourists.

[njdesi]

In most countries I believe you should adapt to the local ways. But if I ever go to England again or interact with one of the sLimeys I prfer to just say ... fug off limey dork.

You probably won't get past immigration then.

[machangezi]

S/keeper's a wizard and has gotten through many times although his social conduct's below par.

[Storekeeper]

Actually I use (abuse) the term "Limey" purely to get on the bad side of Pompous Phil.

[DrAndy]

In most countries I believe you should adapt to the local ways. But if I ever go to England again or interact with one of the sLimeys I prfer to just say ... fug off limey dork.

Good idea SK. You are welcome any time to my local... make sure you say that.

and Macha, yes Bath is a great place to visit. My bro lives there, so if you or Njesi want to follow SKs advice, just go to his local.

[machangezi]

My wife loved the city of Bath. She visited me in April 2001 but wasn't impressed with London. I decided to take her up north (not sure if its north or north east) to southampton, portsmouth (?), Bath etc.

She really loved the city of Bath and we decided to spend a couple of nights there. The place's really cool.

[DrAndy]

My wife loved the city of Bath. She visited me in April 2001 but wasn't impressed with London. I decided to take her up north (not sure if its north or north east) to southampton, portsmouth (?), Bath etc.

She really loved the city of Bath and we decided to spend a couple of nights there. The place's really cool.

you are a funny guy Macha. So and Po are on the south coast, Bath is SW

maybe you went to Birmingham

I love London, really great place

[machangezi]

Sorry about that Doc. I lived in London for four years but the only time I went out was when my wife visited me.

Again sorry about that.

I'll soon upload some of the piccies of Bath.

[DrAndy]

I don't mind Macha, just thought I would mention it

but even if you never leave London, you can always look at a map
quite good, they are, show you all sorts of things and places

[machangezi]

I was having AAA's map which was very good. Perhaps maybe I'm bad at map reading.

[kenkannif]

Wally,

Butty (buttie) not buddy

Cheerio....err do people that ain't middle/upper class say that then?

[njdesi]

^
Blooming and blinking seem outdated to me also. The only time I've ever heard someone say that was when I was forced to watch "My Fair Lady" in my 8th grade music class.

[DrAndy]

I was having AAA's map which was very good. Perhaps maybe I'm bad at map reading.

I have never seen the Alcoholics Anonymous maps, but I suppose they would be good as any other. You have to get them the right way up though Macha, so you don't confuse North with South

[kenkannif]

^
Blooming and blinking seem outdated to me also. The only time I've ever heard someone say that was when I was forced to watch "My Fair Lady" in my 8th grade music class.

Yeah I'd only use those for effect (similar to cheerio)...and probably put on a silly voice while doing so (yes I'm THAT much of a card!).

Gosh is cool as is blimey!