dewmuw
17th of December 2004 (Fri), 09:20
Ten things you should know about Britain:
Black text by the BBC
Green text by me!
Just under half of UK households own a pet - dogs and cats are most popular. But goldfish are easier to flush!
Heirs to the throne are not allowed to marry anyone who is a Catholic or divorcee. Heirs to the throne can, however, have numerous affairs with divorcees and talk to plants.
Years ago, an engagement was seen as a legal contract. Today it is not. If a person breaks off their engagement there is usually no duty even to return the ring. Those getting engaged should make sure they sign a pre-nup stating exactly who owns the Canon.
Thatched cottages are mainly the products of south, south-west and the east of England. As are cider-swilling bumpkins!
Boxing Day is so named because servants, gardeners and other tradespeople used to receive money (a Christmas box) in appreciation for work done throughout the year. Some postmen still get them. Or they would do if they could find them – the Royal Mail loses 14.4 million letters a year.
Motorcyclists and passengers must wear crash helmets, but the rule does not apply to Sikhs wearing turbans, or 16 year olds riding down the pavement in your local town centre at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Only the United Nations is a bigger international organisation than the Commonwealth, which houses 30% of the world's population. Formerly known as the "Empire" and still harked back to as the days when we ‘ruled the world’ and even the US!
Groups of friends normally buy "rounds" of drinks, where the person whose turn it is will buy drinks for all the members of the group. Have you met my mates? It is sometimes difficult to get served when pubs are busy: people do not queue, but the bar staff will usually try and serve those who have been waiting longest at the bar first. Or the 19 year blonde who just arrived at the bar and squirmed her way to the front. If you spill a stranger's drink by accident, it is good manners (and prudent) to offer to buy another. At which point they will switch from drinking lager to 25 year old Bowmore.
A full driving licence obtained in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway can be used in Britain. People over 75, who obtained their licence when all that was required to pass the test was the ability to avoid horses pulling coal wagons, typically spend Sunday afternoons causing chaos on the minor roads. Avoid anyone driving a Lada/Skoda, especially if they are wearing a cap/driving gloves.
"The BBC website provides access to a huge range of local, national and international information, with a news service in more than 40 languages. If you need to find out more about a particular topic, it is often the best place to begin, with its major sections on education, science, history, business, and legal rights." But the Canon forum has more naked ladies!
Black text by the BBC
Green text by me!
Just under half of UK households own a pet - dogs and cats are most popular. But goldfish are easier to flush!
Heirs to the throne are not allowed to marry anyone who is a Catholic or divorcee. Heirs to the throne can, however, have numerous affairs with divorcees and talk to plants.
Years ago, an engagement was seen as a legal contract. Today it is not. If a person breaks off their engagement there is usually no duty even to return the ring. Those getting engaged should make sure they sign a pre-nup stating exactly who owns the Canon.
Thatched cottages are mainly the products of south, south-west and the east of England. As are cider-swilling bumpkins!
Boxing Day is so named because servants, gardeners and other tradespeople used to receive money (a Christmas box) in appreciation for work done throughout the year. Some postmen still get them. Or they would do if they could find them – the Royal Mail loses 14.4 million letters a year.
Motorcyclists and passengers must wear crash helmets, but the rule does not apply to Sikhs wearing turbans, or 16 year olds riding down the pavement in your local town centre at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Only the United Nations is a bigger international organisation than the Commonwealth, which houses 30% of the world's population. Formerly known as the "Empire" and still harked back to as the days when we ‘ruled the world’ and even the US!
Groups of friends normally buy "rounds" of drinks, where the person whose turn it is will buy drinks for all the members of the group. Have you met my mates? It is sometimes difficult to get served when pubs are busy: people do not queue, but the bar staff will usually try and serve those who have been waiting longest at the bar first. Or the 19 year blonde who just arrived at the bar and squirmed her way to the front. If you spill a stranger's drink by accident, it is good manners (and prudent) to offer to buy another. At which point they will switch from drinking lager to 25 year old Bowmore.
A full driving licence obtained in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway can be used in Britain. People over 75, who obtained their licence when all that was required to pass the test was the ability to avoid horses pulling coal wagons, typically spend Sunday afternoons causing chaos on the minor roads. Avoid anyone driving a Lada/Skoda, especially if they are wearing a cap/driving gloves.
"The BBC website provides access to a huge range of local, national and international information, with a news service in more than 40 languages. If you need to find out more about a particular topic, it is often the best place to begin, with its major sections on education, science, history, business, and legal rights." But the Canon forum has more naked ladies!