Do you miss England?

[Mich the Tester]

I miss good quality fish and chips, the Times Crossword, good ale, customer service, blue stilton cheese.

Most of which are available here in NL. In fact the only one that isn't available here is 'customer service'. Is that when the shop assistant or telephonist says things like 'good afternoon' and 'please', 'thankyou' and 'just leave it with me and we'll repair it for you sir'?

[sasguru]

customer service...

Was going to laugh at this but then I remembered Swiss customer "snapping".

[Mich the Tester]

Was going to laugh at this but then I remembered Swiss customer "snapping".

You need to experience Dutch Customer Shouting.

[NotAllThere]

Well, I can get most of those things (except the customer service and good fish and chips), but they're very expensive.

[snaw]

I'll pass on the Netherlands as opposed to England.

Lived there for a year, and can say in all honestly it's the place I've lived that I liked least. Think a lot of that is down to the people, they're friendly enough on the surface but it's pretty hard to go beyond that I found - had Dutch people tell me that as well.

Plus the weather is as bad as Scotland's ...

[scooterscot]

On my last visit I got the impression that people have become more and more hurried and bad tempered,

What has actually happened is that the Northern Irish are so laid back time almost goes into reverse. Hence when you return to England it appears to have all gone mad.

[Mich the Tester]

What has actually happened is that the Northern Irish are so laid back time almost goes into reverse. Hence when you return to England it appears to have all gone mad.

WHat's Northern Ireland got to do with it ?

[TimberWolf]

We are out of range of Iranian and Korean missiles

In which case they will "miss" England too.

[CheeseSlice]

I think it's a bit sad that so many pubs are chain-owned. They seem to become standardised and offer the same beer and food from Penzance to Newcastle. If I'm walking in the dales I don't really fancy eating Thai chicken with rice; somehow I'd prefer roast lamb.

One of the few reasons I've stayed in this country is because of the selection of privately owned village pubs, serving decent locally brewed real ales and freshly cooked local produce. It gives each region a certain uniqueness and identity and would be a tragic loss if the major pubco's got their way.

If you look hard enough you'll find interesting little pubs like this everywhere, but you need a good book like the 'good pub guide' or 'good beer guide'.

[scooterscot]

WHat's Northern Ireland got to do with it ?

Opps - thought you were working there.