Weird Things British People Do - Podcast 22

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Driving on the wrong side of the road, having washing machines in their kitchens, "going for a cheeky Nando's" and putting odd things on toast, are just some of the weird things British people do.  I mean, eggs on toast we Americans can get behind, but Spaghetti O's (spaghetti hoops to British people) on toast and beans on toast?  We demand you END THE MADNESS, Britain!  We've compiled a list, based on things the internet finds weird, as well as (but mostly) things Erica finds weird about Britain.  Join us to find out what they are and then let us know some things British people do that you think are weird.  And for anyone in the U.K. that this episode triggers, please feel comforted in the knowledge that the next episode will be about weird things Americans do.

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Feud? - Podcast 21

Mark Jones [CC BY 2.0]

Quick!  Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton?  Don't think, just pick one.  No, you can't say "both" nor can you say, "eh, who cares?" or "neither."  You MUST pick one.  Why?  We don't know really, but it's what the media demands.  In fact, the media insists we all care so much that these two are mentioned in just about every celebrity tabloid magazine, on every celebrity/entertainment news site and sometimes on the actual news too.  But are they really feuding?  What do they have to feud about?  And why was Kate a no-show to Meghan's baby shower?  I know.  A Duchess had a baby shower?  These are all important questions (yes they are) that we will do our best to attempt to answer them (or not) in this podcast.  What kinds of things do you suppose people brought the Duchess of Sussex as shower gifts?  Let us know in the comments and be sure to vote in our poll on Twitter and/or Instagram.

Culture Series 1, Episode 4: Stiff Upper Lip - Podcast 20

Vintage photograph, posted by HA! Designs - Artbyheather via Flickr, License

We're back with the last podcast of our first culture series and we're talking about the British "stiff upper lip," which is the mentality that one must keep their composure, even when faced with extreme adversity.  This is a concept that is relatively foreign to most Americans, who are slightly more used to expressing their emotions, if not sadness, then most certainly excitement.  But is the idea of having a "stiff upper lip" dying off in Britain?  Let us know your thoughts on the idea of the British "stiff upper lip" over on Facebook or tweet at us!

Culture Series 1, Episode 3: Drinking - Podcast 19

U3144362 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Warning: This podcast may very well trigger you or someone you know.  Listen with caution.  Episode three of our Culture Series finds us talking about the drinking culture in each of our countries.  Erica wonders why British people are so extremely proud of their ability to "hold their drink" and Dominic shares a story about getting into his dad's whiskey as a 14-year-old.  Why is drinking the way the British sometimes do considered alcoholism by many in America, but generally isn't considered to be so in the U.K.?  Do you drink?  How old were you when you had your first drink?  Let us know your feelings on the topic of this podcast in the comments section below, or on our Facebook page.  We always welcome and encourage discussion.

Culture Series 1, Episode 2: Work / Life Balance - Podcast 18

Photo titled British Sea WaterCornwall England Newquay Beach via MaxPixel, (CC0)

In our latest installment, we're carrying on with our Culture Series and discussing how the United Kingdom and the United States each handle their work/life balance, America failing miserably for the most part.  No, not really.  Well, okay.  Why don't Americans get more time off work and why, often,  when they do get them, don't they use those days off?  We demand answers!  Meanwhile, British people are flying off to Turkey at every opportunity.  It's just not fair!  I think we should strike.  Who's with me?  Well, obviously not you, because you'd have to take time off work to do so! Argh!  Anyway, that's about the gist of this podcast, listen and then let us know if you think we should all quit our jobs and move to Britain where we can have more vacation days.

Culture Series 1, Episode 1: Travel - Podcast 17

Image by Christopher Ellison via Flickr, (CC by 2.0)

This podcast welcomes a new series all about specific cultural differences between America and Britain.  Up first, we're talking about how travel is different in each of our countries.  For instance, the U.K. is geographically closer to many more countries than the U.S., so flying to some exotic locale over a long weekend is not uncommon for British citizens.  And many more Americans own cars than people in Britain, so road trips are far more common (and economical) in the United States.  Let us know in the comments below, or by tweeting or Facebooking us whether you own a passport.  Also, have you ever been out of your country?  If so, where have you traveled to?

Things We Would Miss From The UK and USA - Podcast 16

Wjablow [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

In this podcast we're discussing the things we'd miss from our home countries if we lived elsewhere.  Since Dominic already lives "elsewhere" he's pretty certain about the things he'd miss, because he already does miss them.  As you can see above, one of the things I would miss would be closets!  Not that we have a closet as big as the one above, but you catch my drift.  I know it seems shallow, but I love organization, so trying to organize all of our clothes and shoes, etc. into a small wardrobe would be a bit of a nightmare.  Tweet us, Facebook us, or comment below some things you would miss if you moved away from your home country.

Language Series 1, Episode 4: Accents - Podcast 15

John Hanes [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Well, hello there again.  Back for another exciting episode, I see?  Well, buckle your seat belt, because this one is a doozy.  Personally, it's slightly embarrassing for us, but may well be one of the most entertaining podcasts we've recorded to date.  Why?  Because in this, our 15th podcast, we are attempting accents from across Great Britain and America, and not doing amazingly well at it, I might add.  You will be amazed by our attempts at everything from Yorkshire and Cockney to Deep South and California accents.  What do British people hear when they think of an American accent?  And, do Americans realize there is more than one accent in Britain?  Do you think you have an accent?  Let us know where your accent is from and maybe we'll have you on our next podcast about accents.

Language Series 1, Episode 3: Pronunciation - Podcast 14

CC BY-SA 3.0 Nick Youngson / Alpha Stock Images

Cue the music.  "You say tomato, I say tomahto.  You say potato, I say"...  wait... does anyone actually say potahto?  No?  We didn't think so.  Anyhoo!  Welcome to the third episode of our Language Series.  This podcast finds us discussing (as if the humongous tomato above wasn't clue enough) the different ways words might be pronounced in the U.S. versus in the U.K. and vice versa.  I say "might be" pronounced because, while we don't think anyone pronounces potato like "potahto," someone out there might.  We don't know everyone, after all.  We recognize that the pronunciations we mention are generalizations and may vary depending on where you are in America or Britain.  Do you pronounce a word we mention differently than the way we said it?  Let us know by tweeting or Facebooking us, or by commenting on this post.