Tidbits

My classes start tomorrow so I figure I'll give a little update before I get too busy.

Last night we went to a pub and met some men who are training to be Buckingham Palace guards. Cool, right? We talked about the differences between British English and American English and it turns out if I were to say "pants" they would know I wasn't talking about underwear...especially given my American accent. PHEW. That's a load off my shoulders. They did suggest we just say "jeans" instead, though. Also, "pants" are men's underwear. "Knickers" is still commonly used as a term for women's underwear.

I also attempted a British accent for these men. This greatly amused them. Apparently I'm worse than I thought.

A few more tidbits:
When you order frozen yogurt, you order a little. Not a small.
Even though the drinking age in the UK is 18, the bars can still enforce a no-under-21 policy.
If a bar touts itself as a bar and not as a pub, it's probably being marketed to Americans.
A 1.5 liter bottle of water is only 60 pence here.
Don't go to clubs and request Lil John. They will not know what you are talking about.
Dancing at clubs here is nothing like in the States. Do not attempt.
British men will talk to you at pubs and clubs because they are genuinely interested in talking to you, not just because they are trying to hit on you. So do not always assume the flirting position.