Sunlit Brit A British mom in Mickeys Kingdom 8 things that make this Brit (and her family) stick out in Florida Its becoming apparent that however hard I try I still cant pass for a local and neither can the rest of the Brit household. In all honesty we stick out like a sore thumb. So much so that I dont even have to open my mouth before Im asked which part of England Im from or if I work at Harry Potter. I would really like to get to the bottom of it, so here goes; possible reasons why were not getting it quite right: 1. We are overly excited at the sight of Gators ( the reptiles not the Football team) You might nonchantly pass by the lake in Celebration but you have actual live Alligators in there with no safety barriers and you put rocking chairs right by the edge. Thats basically as white knuckle as the Brit family gets and we seem to spend a lot of time just hanging out and yelling a lot when we spot one which I think is a bit un native like. 2. Were still a little bit in awe of the mouse - you know, the Big M and his mates who live down the road?My last grocery shop included Mickey Mouse hand wash, plasters and tea towels. Purchases Im sure anyone who has a more comfortable relationship with the mouse would avoid. 3. The Interstate. Seriously, you overtake people on both sides of the road, how can that be safe? Best to drive on the inside lane only. 4. The Little Lords are obsessed with Sloppy Joes. ( Blame the Disney Channel) They think its the best thing ever, although I have heard that to Floridians its your worse school meal. While were on the subject of food, we still believe that Tea and Toast can solve most of the worlds problems and need to have both in large amounts in the Brit household. It has taken us months to find the right bread ( Italian) and the right tea bags ( Yorkshire tea) When we ask for tea we need it (a) to be hot and (b) to come with milk whereas you seem to like it with ice. 5. I forget about tax when Im shopping. In the England equivalent of the Dollar store everything is £1 not £1 with tax. I am therefore in a state of constant surprise and confusion when the price on the till doesnt add up to the price on the ticket. 6. I overtip everyone because a few years ago a lady stopped me in Millers and told me and my pale freckly skin that my sort doesnt tip barmen and its a disgrace. Although I personally have always tipped bar staff ,because Im British I immediately apologised to the lady on behalf of my sort and have been overtipping ever since just to make up for the pale freckly ones that dont. 7. When you are helpful to me in a shop I forget that Im not in England and think youre being sarcastic.No one is helpful or smiles in a shop in England. Ever. 8. Remember in January when it was 51 degrees and you dug your coats and gloves out and stayed indoors? We were in shorts and t shirts and we swam in the pool. You see, Florida is called the sunshine state and in England 51 degrees is a scorcher. We didnt come here to wear jumpers. Weve been deprived of vitamin D for far too long to be covering up. I appreciate though I may have been hasty in implementing the no outer garments rule in the Brit household as you can also find us shivering in restaurants because we forgot about air conditioning. Theres plenty more; I still call soccer football, I always arrive at games before it starts and wouldnt dream of leaving before its ended. I dont like Hershey chocolate and Ive developed a habit of saying cheers possibly far more than I ever do in England. Hopefully, given time well work it out but if anyone has any suggestions on how we can blend in Im more than happy to hear your suggestions. After all, Ive already learnt not to walk across the 192.....
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:31:02 +0000
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