Watch out UK!
I read today that Dunkin’ Donuts is to take on Krispy Kreme in a bid to crack the UK market 20 years after pulling out of Britain. I didn’t even know they had tried and failed.
Could this slogan soon change to read ‘Britain runs on Dunkin’…’ Somehow I think not!
This story ran in the Daily Mail and my favourite comment from a dedicated British bakery fan is this: ‘Tesco’s doughnuts from the bakery are better than these overpriced ones and Greggs beat them all hands down!’
Donuts/dougnuts, Greggs/Dunkin’ – it’s all much of muchness of sugar crap ain’t it?! 😉
Am I offending anyone with my British sense of humour?
Sometimes I wonder if my Carry On style, raucous, rude and very British sense of humour is offensive to my American cousins?
I do like to drop in the odd Britishism like ‘w*nker’ and ‘tw*t’ and ‘blo*dy hell’ because some of my chums love a good bit of authentic British swearing. It almost verges on charming, I’ve been told.
But my other half commented recently that he checks himself sometimes in the company of our American friends and sometimes restrains himself from making that obvious British comment. Interesting. To be fair, both hubby and I can be a little off the scale even in British terms when we want to be. So have we modified our ‘humour’ in the company of Americans? Maybe, just a little. Of course, there is always the issue that what we say is lost in translation on occasion.
What an excellent book!
Sometimes, I guess us Brits are just not that subtle.
We do swear, yes we chuffin’ well do!
We do enjoy more ‘toilet’ humour and quite readily drop in a sex joke when we can.
We love innuendo, when we can get it (see what I did there?).
Jovial insults – we Brits love doing this to each other. I do it a lot to my other half, or ‘kn*bhead’, as I like to call him.
Ah, marvellous seaside postcard humour!
Are we Brits offensive to Americans? Have any Brits out here been so outrageous with their British humour that Americans have recoiled in horror? I’d like to know! Americans – what do we say that is downright horrifying?!
BBC America also reflects on some other things that we Brits do that Americans might consider to be offensive – stingy tipping, and criticizing American heritage anyone……?
ukdesperatehousewifeusa 
We had to educate our girls when they went to school not to say rubber but to call it an eraser! We used to get strange looks when we referred to pulling the curtains or laying the table! Also a few people gave up the finger for the V sign. Be interested in what others come up xx
The first time I told my wife, then girlfriend, I’d knock her up in the morning (meaning I would knock on her door) I got a very odd look.
Also although it’s more recognized here now, you can still call someone a w*nker and get get away with it so long as you smile! (the personalized license tag I always wanted to get was w-anchor as I thought I could sneak it past the DMV, but Brits would still get a laugh out of it).
PS, love the old seaside postcard. I used to sneak a look at them when I was a kid on holiday with my parents as the cards were very daring. How times have changed!!
You’re right, you’ve got to smile to get away with it!
Sent from my iPhone
I’m not offended, but I usually understand what you’re saying lol. If I don’t, I ask 😉
I think a lot of Americans don’t ‘get’ the Brit humour, but I love it! Of course, I read a lot of Brit authors so I guess I’m not your average American. I still prefer the Olde English spellings, but my stupid autocorrect often changes it on me: theatre, harbour, catalogue, travelled, moustache, archaeology etc.
And that’s why you are such a giggle, Darlene! 😉
Americans tend to be rather prude about language. “Wanker” won’t bother most as it isn’t commonly used here. Tw@t may be another story. Australians are famous for their vulgar language and drop the atomic bomb of naughty words (C U next tuesday) with aplomb. In the main, I find most Brits are so worried about embarrassing themselves they’re almost unfailingly polite.
I’m not sure I’m always unfailingly polite!We do love a good dollop of swearing! 😉
Claire Bolden McGill http://www.ukdesperatehousewifeusa.comA blog that acts an observational commentary on the amusing, confusing and cultural differences between Brits and Americans. http://www.fortyshadesoffitness.wordpress.comA blog all about my fitness fails, disappointments, achievements and amusing anecdotes as I march towards hitting ultimate fitness at 40. Tweet me: ukhousewifeusaLike my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UKDesperateHousewifeUSA Zumba with me! http://clairemcgill.zumba.com/ Certified Nutritionist and Weight Management Consultant – email me for details or a consultation or visit http://healthandnutritionforlife.wordpress.com/
> Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:48:59 +0000 > To: clairebolden@hotmail.com >
I can’t help but feel that you might have a lot in common with Pittsburgh Blogger Virginia Montanez. She’s pretty hilarious: http://thatschurch.com/
Love it!