Discussion Post: Being British
Apr. 28th, 2012 09:19 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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hd_writersWhen writing British characters I have found, as an American, that it can be rather hard to capture the language, the attitude, and most of all the traditions. Thanks to some of my amazing British friends here I have gleaned more understanding about these subtle differences between two cultures. ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
winterstorrm suggested “Watching the English” to me and I suggest it to any author of the Harry Potter fandom who wishes to learn a bit more about English culture, whatever nationality you are.
Britspeak:
This is just a small selection as an example. Please refer to Kubrick Potter's Brit-pick guide for an almost definitive list.
Gotten—Since my first Britpick I have been constantly vigilant with this one, I went so far as to spank a Brit I know for it in a fic (funnily I didn’t KNOW she was British so this is me being embarrassed) So here is what I say to people when I see gotten in a fic! NO NO NO! I was told by the great and powerfultari_sue that this not to be used ever! Always go with got! :D
Forgotten- Forgot
Bangs –No, Fringe is appropriate. Bangs equates loud noises.
Braids—Plaits (on that note Braiding—Plaiting)
Pants—Trousers
Underwear—Pants
Panties—Knickers
Zipper-Zip
Vest—Waistcoat
Undershirt—Vest
Purse—Handbag
Sneakers—trainers
Jello—Jelly
Jelly—Jam
Pancakes—For HP specific CAULDRON CAKES
Candy—Sweets
Soda—Coke, Sprite, Pepsi (the name of the soda)
Take out—TAKEAWAY (I like this word, hence all caps XD)
Egg plant—Aubergine
Garbage or trash—RUBBISH (I like this word >.> so it must be in all caps)
Apartment—Flat
Drugstore—Chemists
Co-worker—Colleague
Elevator—Lift (The Ministry has the lifts)
Check—Cheque
Check at a restaurant—Bill
Check as in the check pattern on clothing—exactly the same, Check :D
Nightstand—bedside table
Store—Shop
Wager—Bet
Curse/Cuss—Swear
Closet—Wardrobe (Like an armoire, it is a piece of furniture.)
A walk in (built into the house) closet—A walk in wardrobe/Dressing room
Let’s talk UK Fries!
Chips=Thick cut potato wedges that are deep fried.
Fries= Julienne fries, like shoe string fries.
Crisps= THINK POTATO CHIPS (also any packaged “chips” would classify as crisps)
Chavs= Trashy uncouth people who live on benefits, have no job, lots of kids, and smoke lots
BritSlang dictionary: Here
Brit Daily Life:
No running tabs in a pub. You pay when you order, every time you order. (There are exceptions to this but as a general rule, go with this rule.)
No sitting down and waiting to be served in a pub. You would go in and find a table and get the number then go to the bar to order the food if you are not getting food you can go to the bar and then sit down wherever. Some pubs have restaurant areas and they are waiter service for drinks and food.
No sitting on the front porch, things like sitting on the porch only chavs sit in front of their house in England.
100 pence to the pound, just as American’s have 100 pennies to the dollar (I thought that was kinda handy and neat so I added it, not that it’s really all that useful when writing HP.)
BritAttitude:
Walking up to a person, thrusting out your hand, and saying, “Hi, my name is _____” is something that is a No-No.
Brits do not cheer at the end of a film (movie).
Brits do not sing often the national anthem before sport games unless it's an international and they do sing it is just as likely to be Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem as God Save the Queen.
Brits find patriotism embarrassing and think American's are way over the top with theirs.
BritTraditions:
MOST BRITISH MALES ARE NOT CUT! And if I have to explain what I mean by “cut” then you are FAR TOO YOUNG TO BE READING THIS BLOG. Anyways, if they are cut it is usually for religious reasons.
Brits do not 'date'. They 'go out with someone'. Usually exclusively. It is unlikely that someone would be 'dating' more than one person as this would be cheating as it doesn't work how it does in the US.
No baby showers (although this seems to have taken off a little in trendy circles).
BritGeography:
Whilst England could fit into Texas eight times this doesn't mean if someone lives twenty miles from a certain other town they are going to know the person you are asking about in that town. Yes we can drive to the sea in as little as two hours from most places.
Therefore, a two hour drive for a Brit is considered a long one (whereas a two hour drive for a Texan is a daily, one way, work commute, ah I remember those years living in Dallas XD).
Now we are trying to keep the post short because we would love to have questions. On anything! British culture, slang, pastimes, married life, not-so-married life, raising children, schooling, working, etc. If you can think it you can ask it! Also if you are British and want to contribute to whatwinterstorrm and I have here then I encourage you to do so! We can always use more knowledge while we journey to write better. :D So come one, come all!
winterstorrm suggested “Watching the English” to me and I suggest it to any author of the Harry Potter fandom who wishes to learn a bit more about English culture, whatever nationality you are. Britspeak:
This is just a small selection as an example. Please refer to Kubrick Potter's Brit-pick guide for an almost definitive list.
Gotten—Since my first Britpick I have been constantly vigilant with this one, I went so far as to spank a Brit I know for it in a fic (funnily I didn’t KNOW she was British so this is me being embarrassed) So here is what I say to people when I see gotten in a fic! NO NO NO! I was told by the great and powerful
tari_sue that this not to be used ever! Always go with got! :D Forgotten- Forgot
Bangs –No, Fringe is appropriate. Bangs equates loud noises.
Braids—Plaits (on that note Braiding—Plaiting)
Pants—Trousers
Underwear—Pants
Panties—Knickers
Zipper-Zip
Vest—Waistcoat
Undershirt—Vest
Purse—Handbag
Sneakers—trainers
Jello—Jelly
Jelly—Jam
Pancakes—For HP specific CAULDRON CAKES
Candy—Sweets
Soda—Coke, Sprite, Pepsi (the name of the soda)
Take out—TAKEAWAY (I like this word, hence all caps XD)
Egg plant—Aubergine
Garbage or trash—RUBBISH (I like this word >.> so it must be in all caps)
Apartment—Flat
Drugstore—Chemists
Co-worker—Colleague
Elevator—Lift (The Ministry has the lifts)
Check—Cheque
Check at a restaurant—Bill
Check as in the check pattern on clothing—exactly the same, Check :D
Nightstand—bedside table
Store—Shop
Wager—Bet
Curse/Cuss—Swear
Closet—Wardrobe (Like an armoire, it is a piece of furniture.)
A walk in (built into the house) closet—A walk in wardrobe/Dressing room
Let’s talk UK Fries!
Chips=Thick cut potato wedges that are deep fried.
Fries= Julienne fries, like shoe string fries.
Crisps= THINK POTATO CHIPS (also any packaged “chips” would classify as crisps)
Chavs= Trashy uncouth people who live on benefits, have no job, lots of kids, and smoke lots
BritSlang dictionary: Here
Brit Daily Life:
No running tabs in a pub. You pay when you order, every time you order. (There are exceptions to this but as a general rule, go with this rule.)
No sitting down and waiting to be served in a pub. You would go in and find a table and get the number then go to the bar to order the food if you are not getting food you can go to the bar and then sit down wherever. Some pubs have restaurant areas and they are waiter service for drinks and food.
No sitting on the front porch, things like sitting on the porch only chavs sit in front of their house in England.
100 pence to the pound, just as American’s have 100 pennies to the dollar (I thought that was kinda handy and neat so I added it, not that it’s really all that useful when writing HP.)
BritAttitude:
Walking up to a person, thrusting out your hand, and saying, “Hi, my name is _____” is something that is a No-No.
Brits do not cheer at the end of a film (movie).
Brits do not sing often the national anthem before sport games unless it's an international and they do sing it is just as likely to be Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem as God Save the Queen.
Brits find patriotism embarrassing and think American's are way over the top with theirs.
BritTraditions:
MOST BRITISH MALES ARE NOT CUT! And if I have to explain what I mean by “cut” then you are FAR TOO YOUNG TO BE READING THIS BLOG. Anyways, if they are cut it is usually for religious reasons.
Brits do not 'date'. They 'go out with someone'. Usually exclusively. It is unlikely that someone would be 'dating' more than one person as this would be cheating as it doesn't work how it does in the US.
No baby showers (although this seems to have taken off a little in trendy circles).
BritGeography:
Whilst England could fit into Texas eight times this doesn't mean if someone lives twenty miles from a certain other town they are going to know the person you are asking about in that town. Yes we can drive to the sea in as little as two hours from most places.
Therefore, a two hour drive for a Brit is considered a long one (whereas a two hour drive for a Texan is a daily, one way, work commute, ah I remember those years living in Dallas XD).
Now we are trying to keep the post short because we would love to have questions. On anything! British culture, slang, pastimes, married life, not-so-married life, raising children, schooling, working, etc. If you can think it you can ask it! Also if you are British and want to contribute to what
winterstorrm and I have here then I encourage you to do so! We can always use more knowledge while we journey to write better. :D So come one, come all!
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no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 05:01 pm (UTC)Some basics I have noticed:
- In a standard chain cafe (Starbucks and its ilk) in the UK it is fairly unusual to have a filter coffee. People tend to have a Cappucino or Latte, or Americano if they want it black.
- If you are drinking in the cafe it will be served in a proper cup - the paper cups are only for takeaway. (Which, by the way is slightly cheaper, because of the way these things are taxed.) I'm only flagging this as an issue because I'm Brit picking for someone who has their characters sitting in a Starbucks with paper cups, so I guess it's the norm in the US?
- You don't add cream to coffee, you have milk. (And milk is likely to be given to you in a little jug if you ask for it - I don't think most decent cafes do the whole little UHT pottle thing you have in the states. But then, I tend to have mine made white to start with, so I may have just not noticed?)
Someone help me out, here?
no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 05:36 pm (UTC)Milk is usually done in coffee houses but if you are at home and are like me you use cream. XD But as far as the Brit side of coffee *has noooooo clue*
no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 05:52 pm (UTC)Costa has no extra charge for soya, Nero and Starbucks do (and it really bloody winds me up!!)
I tend to ask for a papercup even when I drink in as I like to be able to just up and go and take the thing with me, but that's just me.
Filter coffee is more unusual in these shops as it tends to be an Americano as you said but Starbucks do a filter kind of thing and call it 'drip'.
We don't have any of that 'non fat no foam' thing going on - it's skinny or not, or soya!
You will often get cream if you are in restaurant or in a non-chainy foody pub.
Am thinking I spend far too much time in these places!
Georgia is a barista - we must ask her!!
no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 05:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 07:41 pm (UTC)Okay, so.
I can't say much about other places, but in Seattle if you go to a proper coffee shop and order in, they will serve you in a proper cup - not a takeaway cup. This is not the same for int'l chains like Starfucks or Tully's or Seattle's Best (all owned by Starfucks, btw), Dunkin Donuts, etc.
Depending on how expensive your coffee is, the more likely you are to get a pretty picture drawn in the foam. I've recently learned how to do this (which makes me really excited!) but I'm still quite bad at it. Most coffee places - and even coffee stands - will actually hire someone to come in and teach people how to steam the milk properly to achieve this (because milk has to be steamed in a certain way to be able to make a good foam drawing).
In the U.S. we use quite a few different types of milk, too. We use non-fat (or skim which is zero milkfat and people order it like a non-fat ______ or a skinny _____), 1% or 2% milk (depending on the shop they'll stock one or the other. 2% is semi-skim milk for you Brits!), whole milk (you'll have to ask for this - some places have it, some places don't. It's about the same milkfat content as British whole or full-fat milk), half & half (a very long email convo with
For the actualfax drinks -
Americano is 1 or 2 shots of espresso with hot water, usually coming in 8, 12, 16 and 20 fl.oz..
Latte or Breve is 1 or 2 shots of espresso with milk/half & half and a little bit of foam, usually coming in 8, 12, 16 and 20 fl.oz.
Cappuccino/ Breve cappuccino is 1 or 2 shots of espresso with half milk/half&half and half foam (though this could be more or less depending on if they order it wet or dry - a wet cappuccino has more milk than foam and a dry cappuccino has more foam than milk) usually coming in 8, 12, 16 and 20 fl. oz.
Mocha is 1 or 2 shots of espresso with milk and chocolate. They use chocolate milk, chocolate powder or chocolate syrup, depending on the shop. Usually comes in 8, 12, 16 and 20 fl. oz.
Some places serve sizes over 20 fl. oz. which kind of makes me want to cry. I can't imagine drinking more than 12oz. of a hot drink, let alone 24 and 32 oz. Which starfucks has now. 24 oz. drinks are really difficult to make because you have to steam so much fucking milk.
If you're in a fancy shop, you could order a macchiatto and actually get a macchiatto - which is a shot of espresso with just a spoon or two of foam. Or a doppio, which is 2 shots of espresso with a bit of cold half & half/milk. or just an espresso - straight shots. We also usually say how many shots we want in the drink when we order - single, double, triple, quad, etc.
A lot of places will also have drip coffee...which I'm assuming is what you call filter coffee in the UK?
Also, most places in Seattle will roast their own beans.
Also also, if you want tea in the U.S., you should either make it yourself or go to an actual tea shop. When you order tea, they'll fill a paper cup 2/3 up with hot water and give you a tea bag on the side. Good places will offer to put the tea bag in for you so it will start to steep before you get it.
Any questionnnns?
no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 07:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 09:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 05:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 11:31 am (UTC)Ditto! That, and their superior points scheme, means Costa has my undying loyalty!
I also ask for a takeaway cup because I hate those tall glass mug things they have in Costa.
I think Pret have just started doing a 99p filter coffee. I may have made this up.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 06:24 pm (UTC)Not that fond of Nero mugs either, like MUG MUGs like Starbucks do but hate Starbucks...
Nice to meet you!
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 07:14 pm (UTC)Nice to meet you, too! I've been writing H/D for years, lurking for longer, but had a big gap from the LJ world so I'm easing my way back in!
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 07:19 pm (UTC)I just friended you - what can I say, I'm needy! (and plan to lure you to write for the fests I mod!!)
tell me - do you like Merlin?
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 07:25 pm (UTC)I have never seen Merlin, alas. Fandom-wise, I have never strayed from HP (even though I'm not even a massive canon-HP fan. I just like H/D in fandom; is that weird?!). I'd like to try some other fandoms or, maybe, a crossover but frankly it terrifies me! Are HP and Merlin your only active fandoms?
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 07:34 pm (UTC)Merlin came first quickly followed by HP (and H/D obvs), but I have dabbled in Eagle (one fic!!) and am writing one for Suits. I'll read QaF USA if I find anything decent, Grimm (I'm not entirely sure yet, but I'm giving it a go), the occasional non-Wincesty SPN (Dean/Cas is my favourite)...
Merlin has my heart though, but as this next series is going to be the last, I fear the fandom won't last as well as HP has.
Never seen Merlin? What is this trickery?
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 10:19 pm (UTC)As for Merlin, I missed it when it first started on telly - though I don't watch much fantasy anyway - and the only reason I know it even exists really is because so many HP ficcers seem to love it! I don't know anything about it. If I can get a series on DVD for less than a tenner I'll normally give it a go. I think if I were to cross into another fandom it'd be something TV/film based, rather than book based.
Don't even know what Eagle and SPN are. Should I be hanging my head in shame?!
(Btw, think this convo we're having is now firmly on the side of off-topic!)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-02 05:03 pm (UTC)We're not off topic, we're bonding!
no subject
Date: 2012-05-02 05:26 pm (UTC)Oh, as long as it's bonding, then! I might go and snoop around your journal...
no subject
Date: 2012-05-01 11:50 am (UTC)On this note, if you want a laugh you should look up the recent furore about the tax on pasties (ie: Cornish ones). Something to do with a sliding scale depending on if you buy it hot or cold or whether it was cold then specifically heated up for you. Completely barmy. Though I do now fancy a pasty...