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| Image: OnThisDay.com (CC BY 2.0) |
Following on from our previous podcast topic, we explore what US history is NOT taught in the United States. From the Zoot Suit Riots to the Vietnam War, there's a lot of US history that's not covered in schools, which Erica goes through the ones she remembers being taught about in school and the ones she doesn't and which appear to be glossed over in the US history curriculum.
What topics of US history surprise you most?
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| Image: Zulu (Paramount Pictures) (CC BY 2.0) |
British history is a vast, seemingly unending linear event. A lot of things have happened that involve Britain. You don't build an empire without ruffling a few feathers, and with the British Empire, that's putting it mildly. This episode of our podcast, we discuss the events of history that are NOT taught in a British school and the reasons why that may be.
What do you remember from your history class?
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| Image: HDWallpaper.com (CC BY 2.0) |
It's a big question for an expat: Would you become a citizen of the country you live in? Perhaps for some, it's an easy question. Perhaps for many, it's difficult. For Dominic, you'll have to listen to this, the latest podcast episode from Tea and a Butty. He's also asked if he would renounce his British citizenship and his answer is quite revealing!
Do you think Dominic should give up his British citizenship?
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| Image: Tea And A Butty. (Public Domain) |
Our hero is back in this episode where he takes on the Bonkers First Amendment on Dax Shepard's 'Armchair Expert' podcast and incites the wrath of his adopted country's citizens. Prince Harry has spoken out again and got roundly shouted down by his critics on both sides of the pond. This time, he referred to the US First Amendment as 'Bonkers'. A little bit of a stretch to call Free Speech 'Bonkers' or do you think the Duke of Sussex is right?
What do you think of Prince Harry's remarks?
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| A Typical British Fish and Chip Shop. Image: TeaAndAButty.com |
I've been a British expat in Texas now for a little over 10 years. When I first moved here, I was full of thoughts of the future, forgetting about Blighty, the UK, Britain, The Royal Family, Rain, Fish and Chips, Chicken Tikka Masala, Rain, Marmite, More Rain, Pints of beer, Panel Shows, and Piers Morgan. But, as the years rolled on, I started to remember all those things. Except Piers Morgan, whom I keep actively trying to forget. Here is a list of the top 10 things a British person misses about the UK!
1. The Weather.
Yeah, nowhere else on earth has weather. Only the UK. In Texas, it gets rather hot during the summer for a long period of time. Brits, they complain when the temps get over 65F and wonder if the world is ending.
2. The Television
Television in the USA is largely repeats of past glories. It's the same in the UK, but these are much better glories. Glories such as Only Fools and Horses and One Foot In The Grave!
3. The Food
British food is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best in the world. The USA has to make do with Hamburgers, Tacos, Hotdogs while British food rules the gastronomic waves with beautiful beige colours and chips, lots and lots of chips. The British version of chips. The USA is jealous of this and has perpetuated the myth that it's bad. It's not. It's the best.
4. The People
The crazy Brits who enjoy moaning about the government and eating at Nando's and Greggs are the true leaders of the free world.
5. The Ice Cream
Yeah, it's true. You get an ice cream from an ice cream van and it is the best in the world. Then they stick a flake bar in it and completely knock it up several levels.
6. The Panel Shows
What is better than watching a few birds and blokes off the telly get together and be funny on the telly? Perhaps nothing. Perhaps everything?
7. The Mall
Yeah! The Mall! It's that road that connects Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace! There's no Dunkin Donuts or Great American Cookie Company on it though. That's a completely different Mall.
8. The Pubs
You may think bars serve alcohol but pubs are the cornerstone of British culture. Never ever get fish and chips in one though. EVER.
9. Fish and Chip Shops
The humble chip shop is one I miss. The smell of the fried food, the condensation in the windows, the distorted mirror image of yourself in the stainless steel frying range. Now you miss it too, don't you?
10. The Queen
Every Sunday without fail, I'd be round to see Her Majesty, we all miss that time when the millions of us would crowd in her tiny front room to watch Songs of Praise!
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| Image: Wikipedia (CC BY 2.0) |
You may have noticed that Americans, far more than their British counterparts, are rather obsessed with their heritage. This puzzles people from the UK when people from the US claim they're British/Irish/Italian/Swedish/German or whatever. They wonder why they would like to embrace their heritage rather than their nationality. In this podcast episode, we discuss why Americans are so obsessed with their heritage and if that will ever not be the case.
Are you an American obsessed with their heritage?
British people, we're very curious about things and the USA is one of those curiosities we find ourselves being curious about, curiously. So, we put out on our Twitter and Instagram to our British followers any questions they might have about America for our resident expert, Erica. We got a fair few in and she answered them to the best of her knowledge! So listen to this episode!
What is the strangest thing about the USA?
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| Image: SpecifiedBy (CC BY 2.0) |
British place names are hard enough at the best of times, even for a Brit! So how is a born and bred American supposed to get them right? Well, we all expect nothing but the best here at Tea and a Butty! So Erica has been quizzed by myself on these British place names and we shall see how she does. I'm not expecting greatness, but I am. See? That makes perfect sense!
What are some British place names that confuse you?
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| Image: MichiganRadio.org (CC BY 2.0) |
The British think they're right about everything. From how tea is made to how the English language is spoken, especially getting place names right! But when it comes to certain places names in the United States, Brits have a nasty habit of getting it wrong, either on the account of the accent, or just plain ignorance of the name! In this podcast episode, Dominic tells us of his mispronunciations of American place names and his struggle to get them right!
Do you mispronounce place names in the USA?
