When we would experience the typical heat wave during the summer when I lived in England, I would be unbearably miserable during the two weeks that it would usually last.  Remember, I am from Texas where we have air conditioning in every single home to relieve ourselves of the blistering heat.  In the U.K. an air conditioner is a bit of an oddity.  You would be laughed at if you had such a thing or revered when visited by the onslaught of company that would be likely to pop-in on such hot days.  During the winter, my body would react in the other extreme.  While sleeping I couldn’t have enough duvets on me to keep me warm.  My side of the bed would be 4 foot high with blankets and my husband’s side would have the single duvet.  The coldness gets down to the bones, the type created by damp, cold, wet weather.

Another interesting weather fact is that the U.K. holds the record for tornadoes.  The Met Office from the U.K. reports that, “On average the UK sees more tornadoes per square km every year than any other country – around 33 tornadoes a year.  In contrast, the USA sees between 800 – 1,000 a year.”  Remember to keep this statistic in perspective – size of the U.K. to the size of the U.S.A.

Britain’s weather usually comes across as grey, dreary and wet.  Not a lot of Americans could normally tolerate this dismal climate on a day to day basis.  Even though the U.K. has what seems to be the most depressing climate, I have found in comparison to living in the hot state of Texas that I was able to go outside more in England than I am in Texas when it’s blazing hot with upper 90 degree weather.  You can bundle up with layers in England but you can’t keep taking clothes off in Texas (Or anywhere, for that matter – it’s illegal ).  I believe the U.K.’s weather is a big reason why many Brits want to go on vacation.  It gives them a chance to dose up on some vitamin D from the sun in nice holiday spots such as Spain, Florida, Greece, etc…

So at times I feel the Brits have a legitimate reason to talk about the weather and all of the strange climate variances that arrive in the U.K., but maybe, just not start the conversation with it….

TIP:  The Met Office in the U.K. – http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

On most of the PBS channels across America they will show the old re-runs of Are You Being Served, Keeping Up Appearances, As Time Goes By, Black Adder, Fawlty Towers, Father Ted and newer re-runs of My Hero, Vicar of Dibley, Coupling, Thin Blue Line, and My Family.  BBC America on cable or paid television will also show a lot of the current rerun comedies.

These shows possess a certain silliness to them, allowing me to get the humor sooner rather than later.  But there will be a lot of Americans who won’t really get it when they first watch these shows, only because they may not be so familiar with the language.   The British comedies give me a chance to relax my mind, take a break and have a giggle. 

Mind you, there are some British comedies that either get on my nerves or ‘I just don’t get it’.  Posh Nosh,  Monty Python and Fawlty Towers are a few of my humorous dislikes.  My husband thinks these shows are ‘halarious’ (said with a British accent).  Maybe these shows are suited more for the male humor but they really can get on my nerves!

I’m not saying that watching only British comedies is the way to go, but it really shines a different light on life situations, especially the mannerisms.  The British will tend to go overboard on the correct way of doing something, a bit of a farce.  Which is unusual because the Brits are usually so understated in real life, maybe this is their chance to let it all hang out and in the end, they do it darn well!

This year, in May,  the MINI will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a big festival in England at the infamous Silverstone Circuit.  There have been slight changes to the progression in the MINI’s birth from Oxford and Birmingham, England, but not much change in the recognizable size and style of this trendy, fuel efficient car.  Fortunately, when the BMW Group bought the Rover Group in 2001, they decided to keep the MINI in production.  I am waiting on a response from the BMW Group, in regards to a question relating to their sales.  I will relay this information once I have received it.  The MINI”s fuel economy is a perfect fit with today’s financial woes.  This is just one of the many desirable features that makes the MINI such a HUGE hit!

Looking at the MINI also made me wonder, if Americans were to put an American flag on our side mirrors or on the roof or hood (bonnet) of an American truck would it come across the same way as how we see the British flag on the MINI?   NO WAY!  But, I truly, see that it is perfectly acceptable to see the British flag on a MINI here or in England but, but no way can I see an American flag on a truck in England.  Mainly because you could never fit a truck in England in the first place…..

TIP:  www.mini.com

Shrove Tuesday is sometimes called Pancake Day after the fried batter recipe traditionally eaten on this day.”

The article continues, “Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them.”

For those who aren’t, necessarily, the religious sort, it’s a great day to enjoy an English tradition of crepe style pancakes with lemon and caster sugar (a finer granulated sugar). 

TIP:   If you’re looking for English style pancakes on Pancake Day, go to IHOP’s and ask for German pancakes with lemon and sugar.  We did this today, even though it wasn’t on the menu.

Enjoy!

What is it?  Why do we have this love – hate relationship with the Brits in theater.  I think part of the love is that it’s not so formulaic and maybe a little something different.  The films aren’t your typical action or romance but more thoughtful and innovative,  they give you something to think about and, in a strange kind of way, are more realistic.

The hate part of our equation, I actually believe we love.  So many American movies seem to have your typical British bad guy (even our t.v. shows with Simon Cowell and Peter Jones) .  That’s just it, because the bad guy is British, we love him – even though he is a sarcastic, rude, arrogant, son-of-a-…………

TIP:  www.oscar.com

I happen to be an American, married to a Brit, with children born in England.  I, also, had the pleasure as serving as an Executive Director for the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the British American Business Council.

In saying that, I have a bit of experience with the British, but I could always use more help.  I view the readership as having an interest in the U.K., as I did.  You might be married to someone from the U.K., were born there, or you might, just like the way they talk.  I invite you to share your stories or comments and become a part of our community that has always been witty, charming and like a close-knit family.

Welcome to Britz Buzz!