Nothing in particular. . . (From Hereford Times)

Nothing in particular. . .

1:08pm Wednesday 21st March 2007

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There are times when I still feel like such an outsider here in England. I still miss some of the foods I can't get here unless I order from an American website that charges silly money for products I paid much less for in the states. Sometimes my accent seems to stand out to me, other times it seems all the rest of the world has an accent. There are times as well when I feel that I am too loud and too 'out there' for the majority of the British population, that my ideas are a bit on the outrageous side when back at home I'd be thought of as cautious.
Tipping is an issue I have a problem with. In the states your servers are not paid a living wage. They are, in fact, allowed by law to be paid below minimum wage because they are expected to make up the balance of their income in tips. This thinking results in a couple of things, first you get REALLY good service because they need to make a good impression on you and 2nd, if you are a British tourist because you aren't accustomed to how it's done in the states, you are thought automatically to be a 'bad' tipper. I was at a very nice hotel a couple of weekends ago and the porter went to my room to bring my bags down to the lobby. He turned to go away the moment he dropped my bags off and I called him back to give him £2. He was gobsmacked that someone would tip him but in the states if the bell boy brings your luggage or door man helps you get it out of the car and into the hotel, it's customary to tip $1.00 per bag. I know that some of the thinking here is that no one every tipped YOU to do your job but in truth, those very jobs are low paying, so why not give a little extra if the job is well done.
Not being permitted to protect your own property is another issue that aggravates me. I know that many English people think Americans all have guns in their homes. That's very far from the truth! In fact, I would not have a gun in my house more out of fear that my grandchildren might find it and there would be a dreadful accident or a would be robber would turn my own gun on me and use it. But the fact that if someone comes into your house or for that matter your closed in garden with the intention of robbing you and you can do nothing to prevent that because you are the one who will end up in jail does nothing to protect homeowners but does everything to protect the criminal. I disagree with law empahtically. Last week someone tried to break into our home, unsuccessfully thank goodness but it frightens me to think that I can't be at home any longer without having every door locked. Isn't it time perhaps for some common sense by the lawmakers in this country. A man's home is his castle means nothing if he can't protect it.
So I've had my little rant, I still love England and feel priveliged to live here, I am excited that next week my daughter will arrive and I get to see things for the first time again through her eyes. Can someone please arrange for the weather to warm up for her visit!!!