Best of Britain

There are so many things the British do best. Pondering this, the following short list comes to mind:

1. Roundabouts: Brilliant! Why we don't change the whole world to this system is beyond me.

2. Road Signs: Entertaining and incredibly clear.

3. Curry. No, its only half Indian. Chicken Tikka Massala doesn't exist in India, but it may be the new national dish of Britain.

4. Police: how do they manage to be so incredibly tough and nice at the same time?

5. Trains. TRAINS! I love trains and the British trains and stations are a world unto themselves. Waterloo is almost a tourist site on its own.

6. Newspapers. Not sure about this, but while newspaper reading in the rest of the world is way down it seems as strong as ever here - and what a great selection.

7. Tea and scones. REAL scones - not those wedge shaped flour bricks we have in the US. Nope, the sweet, lighter ones from here, smothered in Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam.

8. Hospitality: the warmth of welcome here - and London is like the world's bus stop - is pretty incredible.

9. Buses - especially those cool double decker editions.

10. Outdoor Shakespeare: Can you top a cool evening in July with a blanket, tea, strawberries, champagne, and a hilarious performance of a Mid-Summer Night's Dream? I think not.

11. Pubs. Seriously - can there be a better meeting place?

12. Flower Gardens. Stunning.

13. History - name the period, it doesn't matter; Britain is a giant living history text to be opened and read at will and with joy.

14. Villages - I think village/small town life in America is under threat by an over-reaching urbanization, but Britain's little places are enjoying a renewal and protecting their place with zeal and effectiveness.

15. Open markets. Fabulous and cheap.



I can think of more, but will let you add to the list.


On the not so good front:


1. Customer service...slooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww.

2. Taxes

3. Showers (but improving!)

4. Vegetables - always fresh, but always soggy.

5. Traffic in London. Oh my. Worse than ever, and that after restrictions to make it less so.

6. Free refills. "Sorry?"

7. American fast food. I noticed an alarming increase in obesity here - not 'chunky', but real, 'biggest loser' contestant level dangerous obesity. Everywhere. What's changed? Ubiquitous American based fast food chains, and they are jam packed: McDonalds, BK, KFC, Dominoes, you name it. They dominate and its a worrisome trend.