What says 'England' to you?

[hollyhobbie]

I'm learning Dutch and my homework this week is to bring in an object (or picture) of something from my home land and describe it in about 10 sentences (it's only a beginner course).

I'm really stumped: the only things I can think of are baked beans, Marmite and chips, but these are all things that are also easily available in Holland.

I thought of baking some mince pies (or similar) but couldn't get to the English shop today to get the mince.

I have until Tuesday night.
Any ideas?

[KatyMac]

Brogues?

Tweed suit or skirt/

Roses?

Thatched roof cottage (picture obs)?

Bowler hat?

Red London Bus?

[hollyhobbie]

Thanks, I did make a little photo album of images when I was learning German, as a kind of "images of the UK" - not just the red postboxes, Buckingham palace images that are what people think of us, but also lollipop ladies, terraced houses, more 'real' images of every day life in the UK.

I kind of want to bring something I could really personally talk about, London buses are ok, but not part of my day-to-day life experience.

[llareggub]

Morris dancers? You could dress as one and perform a little dance!

[frogs]

Cup Of Tea.

[llareggub]

Ooh yes, you could have a tea party for the class. Tea, clotted cream, jam and scones.

[taipo]

Pint glass

Something from your home town

British coins/stamps

Tesco carrier bag

[hollyhobbie]

Oooh, coins and stamps could be good.

Bedankt!

[colacubes]

A brew, corrie, the queen, shakesphere, scones, full english, HP sauce, telephone box, post box, bus, taxi, Rain

[boogeek]

A friend of mine asked her (shockingly young ) Canadian boyfriend what in particular he wanted to see when he visited England. He thought and thought and thought....then said ooh I know can we go somewhere where you want to drive up a road but can't because it is full of sheep?!
Can you take a sheep?

[Tortington]

red post box, tleephone box, bus. ( figures)

take litter.

[Tortington]

get someone to send you an NCP parking ticket - and learn to say 'robbing cunts' in dutch.

[colacubes]

Lol custardo!

[hollyhobbie]

[ZZZen]

cricket. Don't fancy writing 10 lines about it in Dutch though!

[suzywong]

how about one of those candlewick mats that goes around the bog pedestal?

[ZZZen]

How about a tea-cosy? Bet they don't have those in Holland

[edam]

Radio 4 and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue in particular. Tricky to take in, though.

Like the idea of a tea party. With cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, cakes on a stand, doilies and sugar lumps. Show 'em how to warm the pot before you pour the water in.

[colacubes]

No ZZZen you have got me thinking now, what about one of those knitted loo roll covers with the doll, now I bet no other country has those gawd awful things.

[hollyhobbie]

I like the idea of a tea cosy. And a tea party, but I think I would come across as the class swot if I turned up with the full works.

I went to an English shop in Den Haag this afternoon to inspire me. And the winner is...

...Salt and Vinegar crisps!

Now I have to write my 10 sentences.

[ZZZen]

You'll have eaten them before the class though surely?

How about explaining we eat fish and chips wrapped in newspaper with vinegar instead of mayonnaise on the chips. You'll have them gobsmacked, I'm sure. Tell them about deep fried chocolate bars while you're at it maybe!

[hollyhobbie]

All good ideas ZZZen, but I've prepared my 10 sentences now and I'm too lazy to start again.

I've bought a BIG BAG of crisps. I'll just about be able to resist eating them before class but I'm hoping for leftovers afterwards...

[DonutMum]

thanks custardo, that was my biggest laugh of the day

[LynetteScavo]

Scones - with jam and cream.

[LynetteScavo]

...maybe I should actually read theads before posting on them......

[Dottoressa]

Does British Airways still exist? When I lived abroad, seeing BA planes used to make me weep with longing...