Chapter 3 "Pubs"

Well one thing you always hear about before you come to England from those who have been is "Mate, you've got to try the pubs!" So I have been, for about 21 days actually. . . . Straight ;)
My first impression was good. I still find them a lot like the pubs in Canada with a few differences, but generally the same except for the odd pub that has personality to it. A lot of "British" pubs I've been too in Canada, have a lot of so called British things in them. All that basically means is the Unions flying somewhere and they sell European beers, none of which are British. Well here's a list of things I feel are different and truly give a British pub its uniqueness.

1) The Atmosphere. Call it the smoke (which is being banned soon anyways - Great idea), the smell or maybe just the crazy accents of people speaking way too fast for me to understand. The pubs here seem to be geared more towards a "talking" atmosphere as opposed to a "dancing" one. However come the end of the night, people move the tables and are doing it anyways. Also the interior decore. Wood beams holding the place together, real wood fire places keeping it warm, and antiques your grandmother would have considered too old to enjoy, it makes you think how many people have shared a pint like I have today here.
2) The History. Not something I didn't like in Canada, just something unfortunately you couldn't get given the age of the country. I have literally been in pubs more then 100 years older then Canada itself! Just today I was in a pub in Westerham, Kent. In 1727, a man who later became known as General James Wolfe, used to come here for pints, as it was his favorite local pub in his hometown. General Wolfe later went on to battle in many wars including where he died - Quebec, Canada.
3) The Food. Lovely. Some food I've had, I haven't even known what it is before ordering, like "Italian sausage on a bun" which actually should have been spelt "gross hotdogs in butter and H.P soaked UN-toasted bread." But a personal recommendation, you HAVE to order bangers and mash with tomato and baked beans, or fish and chips.
4) The People. Now you may think, this isn't really a trait that is character to England, but let me explain. When you see a guy, with a poachers bag with rabbits ears hanging out of it, a long grey handlebar moustache soaked in dark ale, looking like his ball loaded musket is right next to his horse outside, leave the pub in a disclaim of "pip pip cheerio, meet again next week after the fox hunt shall we?" You just don't get that anywhere else.
5) The fact that you can buy crisps in any bar for about 30-60p. I love it, perfect bar snack. Just don't get the cheese and onion if your sitting next to a lovely lady. You just won't be sitting next to her very long after that.

My last word of advice would be to never ask for an Italian sausage on a bun, no matter where you are, cause you never know what you'll get, and it could be soggy and soaked in sauce.

Cheers !

MB