Survival Guide in London

Survival guide in London

Must people believe that traveling to England is just like going to any other country abroad. They believe that London is like any other big city with the same kind of people and food. Well, they are all wrong. When they travel to London, there are some aspects they find difficult to adjust to.

One of the differences we noticed the most is the way the British people talk. Although it is English, the language varies from the one we are used to hearing in America .For instance, if a British person asks you for a "rubber" don't be alarmed, he just wants an eraser. When they say "chemist" don't think of a scientist, they just mean a pharmacist. Or even "Dual carriageway" sounds fancy, right? Well, it just means freeway. These little variations can get confusing. I've experienced it, when I asked a girl how many blocks I had to walk to get to this famous restaurant. She stared at me. I saw the confusion in her face, after a couple minutes she said: "Oh you mean the streets" with her perfect British accent. For me it's the same thing, but according to her there was a difference. Speaking of which, sometimes the accent is hard to understand too. When I was in London; I arrived to the hotel, and the women in the desk ask me "how was your fly?", or at least that's what I heard. I immediately thought of a bug, an insect, but then I realized she meant "how was my flight?" Oh big difference.

In addition the British people behave in a weird way when they're meeting new people. The only shake hands, keeping their distance and talking very low. I once met this British couple at a dinner party. When they introduced themselves, they barely shook my hand, never meeting my gaze, talk almost in whispers like they were afraid or they didn't like us. They didn't have much sense of humor either. They didn't laugh during people's jokes, not even a little smile. They seemed depressed like if the lack of sun took their joy away from them; they are all gloomy and lifeless. Very different from the Nicaraguan's hugs, double kisses on the cheek and loud voice.

There's also the food issue. They usually eat a very small breakfast, usually coffee and maybe a toast. They eat a very light lunch (salad) if any. Around four in the afternoon comes their famous "Tea Time". The tea is awful, medicine like and is bitter to the taste. When you drink it you can feel bitter taste all over your tongue, and once you swallow it you feel itchiness in your throat. Tea is usually served with dainty watercress sandwiches or crumpets with jam that actually taste very good. The crumpets