Mixed Bag

August 30, 2003

An Ode to the Slurpee I will give out divers schedules of your beauty: it shall be inventoried, and every particle and utensil labelled to my will: Item: Brain-freezing frigidity Item: Remarkable semi-solid state Item: Tasty ice crystals Item: Spoon straw Item: Multi-flavoured madness They don't believe in semi-solid beverages in Europe. It's difficult to get a decent milkshake (the best option is inevitably the terrifying Eddie Rockets) and impossible to get slurpees. I even went into a 7-11 in Copenhagen and asked. The clerk explained to me (with his extraordinary English) that Europeans don't go in for the whole crushed ice drink. Barbarians. So, after two years abroad, I've been drinking slurpees at a rate of approximately 5 per week this summer. I expect I'll slow down as the weather cools, but it's been awesome. I also found some facts about slurpees. 11:19:52 AM      Trackback []    Mixed Bag

British Pubs Demystified The Social Issues Research Centre (could they sound any more British?) brings us this handy and insightufl guide to British pub ettiquette: Don’t ever introduce yourself. The “Hi, I’m Chuck from Alabama” approach does not go down well in British pubs. Natives will cringe and squirm with embarrassment at such brashness. If your introduction is accompanied by a beaming smile and outstretched hand, they will probably find an excuse to get away from you as quickly as possible. Sorry, but that’s how it is. The British quite frankly do not want to know your name, or shake your hand – or at least not until a proper degree of mutual interest has been well established (like maybe when you marry their daughter). All very accurate. In my brief survey, I couldn't find a section on gratuities. Generally speaking, you don't tip anybody in a British (or Irish) pub. I speak from experience when I say if you leave your money on the bar, they'll hand it back to you. For the North Americans, there's also an important section on round-buying. 11:07:50 AM      Trackback []    Mixed Bag