unfriendly brits in SoCal

[els 0]

I wish they did play 'brit pop' in the Brit pubs! Whenever I've been in one they are playing country music which doesn't seem quite right! I know what you mean about the chips here. They're no where near as good as the chippie round the corner back home. I think the longer I've been out of the UK the better they taste, maybe as I'm forgetting the great flavour of the ones back home which is a real shame!

OOOh, I've just remembered that we've got a Heinz tinned golden syrup pud in the cupboard, should be a good munch when watching Idol tonight!

I love the puds at the pub in Santa Monica though, it must be said, not the same without the custard ofcourse!

Els

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

My favorite english pub in SoCal is the Cat and Fiddle on sunset blvd. I've seen Morrissey there -- twice! (another grumpy manc)

Edited February 23, 2006 by robinklake

[britbird 4]

It's weird, a lot of brits here (myself included to be honest) came here to get away from the UK. While they still like british food and soccer they're not really all that interested in finding british 'mates' over here...

May sound a bit cold but I get a sense that this may be what's going on.

You might also find that said Brits are from a different part of the UK than you are and we all know the regional rivalries that go on!

On the other hand it may just be that they are socially retarded

[triaxiom 0]

You might also find that said Brits are from a different part of the UK than you are and we all know the regional rivalries that go on!

Yep.

[els 0]

I hadn't thought of the fact that some Brits would want to just get on with their lives and pretend like England doesn't really exist! We're really attached still to England, watch lots of British TV, listen to British radio etc etc but then that's probably because we're hoping to move back there permanently. Our personalities clash with the culture of america (we're both classical musicians) and we miss the BBC proms etc plus we talk more to my parents back home then my husband's 5 miles down the road!

Thanks for the insight, I'll try not to judge others so harshly in future and certainly not take it personally!

Els

[Englishsammy 17]

regional rivalries??? sorry but how daft is that!! I know it goes on though.....

I loved havin a couple of english friends when I was studyin in Cali - it was good having someone to laugh with and talk about what we missed about home etc. Whenever I heard a tourist who was british I always spoke the them!! Actually Roshon probably started the conversation (he always tries to guess if they are 'northern' or 'southern' etc its so funny trying to explain a jordie or a scouser!!)

If i was in one of those manky sounding english pubs, i'd have been your friend

I absolutely love the States and can't wait to move back but I'll ALWAYS love England and it'll always be where I call home. I spend so much time complaining about england but i love it really!

Oh and why do chippy chips taste so dang good!! I missed them (and chesire cheese) sooooo much and I will do when I go back to my love! Roshon just doesn't get the chippy chip thing - he reckons any chips that are fatter than french fries taste like chippy chips we always bicker about it!!!!!

There was/is an authentic british chippy in Fresno - hahaha I went all excited and it was french fries and all types of exotic fish - no pies, gravy (northern thing!), curry, I don't even think they had regular cod!! I didn't even order anything - I was to heartbroken

[Euro 3]

Not seen ANY english style pubs here..not been looking though, I do miss the chippy though, although i never ate the fish, i mean seriously who wants to eat summat that was swimming in the north sea...have you seen the "floaters" in that!!!.............hahaha

gonna take my hubby for "real" fish & chips and he WILL eat em out of the paper...............hahahaha, i'll just have a chip buttie YAY!! wi bits of course

[TracyTN 237]

FWIW, the 'chippies' I had at the English pub here in no way compared to the ones I had when visiting my sweetheart. Those alone are worth going back to Blimey for (not even mentioning the chocolate!!)!

[Sister Fracas 5]

It's weird, a lot of brits here (myself included to be honest) came here to get away from the UK. While they still like british food and soccer they're not really all that interested in finding british 'mates' over here...

May sound a bit cold but I get a sense that this may be what's going on.

While my hubster didn't come here to get away from the UK, he did tell me that he doesn't want to make friends based on the fact that they are from the same country. This was AFTER I'd joined us up to a Brit expats group , which he doesn't mind for the occasional curry meetup, but he'd rather have things of interest in common...so his ever widening group of friends are all USCs....heh. So I don't think it sounds cold, and I know if hubster bumped into a Brit in the pub he frequents for footie matches, that he wouldn't be UNfriendly, but he might not establish a friendship just because they were Brits...if that makes sense.

[ChasUK 0]

FWIW, the 'chippies' I had at the English pub here in no way compared to the ones I had when visiting my sweetheart. Those alone are worth going back to Blimey for (not even mentioning the chocolate!!)!

ahh yes, but don't forget, that was also when you were introduced to the concept of salt and vinegar on yer chips, rather than mayo. Makes all the difference .

((hugs))

[TracyTN 237]

Yeah but I never liked mayo on my chippies. BLECK!!! Ketchup, yes. Mayo, no (where's that vomit emote when I need it??).

Salt and vinegar.....yum yum!!

[daviduk 0]

Our personalities clash with the culture of america (we're both classical musicians) and we miss the BBC proms etc plus we talk more to my parents back home then my husband's 5 miles down the road!

Im just wondering how your personalities clash with Americans because youre classical musicians?

[daviduk 0]

amongst others we have a salt and battery downtown whom have really good fish and chips.

There are also dozens upon dozens of Irish pubs in the city which essentially sell british foods like shepherds pies, bangers and mash, some do sunday roasts etc

the only thing they dont sell in these pubs is the ploughmans, but i go to a cheese store, get the selections, get the rest of the ingredients and BAM its better than any pub

[perfect 39]

Anyone try the British Restaurant ? Corona Del Mar.

If you want a curry that is a.l.m.o.s.t....... as good as a British curry there's a great place in Laguna Beach!

I didn't realize there are so many ex-pats so close by. I work in Costa Mesa!

[NeonExile 0]

Must admit, I've had no particular desire to 'go British' on any of my nights out since I've been here. That said, I've only been here (Fullerton) a month, so I'm still soaking up the local colour. I'd definitely be friendly if I met other Brits out here (though I haven't yet). I take the point that some folk might not want that, but it'd be good to hear an accent from back home.