to think that "eating fish and chips" is just lunch/dinner, not a holiday activity?!

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Seen this on a few threads lately, and when I asked a couple of years ago about ideas of what to do in the evening on hols in the UK, this was the line trotted out most! "Walk along the promenade eating fish and chips". For a start I hate eating when walking, its messy and inconvenient and secondly, what about the other 6 evenings in a week or are we meant to do it every single night?

In most places these days you can't "eat fish and chips on the front" anyway because you get mugged by fucking sea gulls!

It’s ok to hate it - we all like different things. Why don’t you come up with your own list to share

When you live as far away from the sea as I do. Eating chips by the sea is an event.

I guess it depends what opportunities are open to you. We have two children with additional needs, one of them really struggles in the heat. Money is tight and holidays difficult. On days where it’s been very hot recently we’ve waited till the evening, when it cools down a bit and driven to the coast near us (around 45 minutes away). We take a little walk along the front, look out to sea and spot boats and birds (and the occasional, probably imaginary seal). Then we buy fish and chips at our favourite place with outdoor seating and look out at the horizon as we eat. It feels pretty special to us 🤷‍♀️

It is special because it is a lovely meal. Done from a proper chippy.
Very fresh cod or haddock ( or should be ) depending on where you are.
Crispy crunchy batter. Not greasy.
Tasty chips. Salt and vinegar.
And whatever extras you want.
Eat with a fork and fingers if outside. Hot and in the wrap paper.

It is part of our national heritage. And I for one am glad of it and love it. Our fishermen have been fishing for centuries. Good to support them too.

What's special to you OP? I love fish and chips by the sea. A hot picnic, What's not to like? I find it sad that you sound so above small pleasures.

I live by the sea so it wouldn't be a thing for us. Even if I was away somewhere I'd hate to eat fish and chips with my fingers, walking along the street.

That's why you have a little wooden fork

Don't forget in winter , near Christmas , go out "for a Hot Chocolate"

It is never hot , I don't eat marshmallows , the cream is impossible to drink tidily .
But it is an integral part of being out&about .

You'd need a pop up tent here in which to eat fish n chips in order to keep the seagulls from swooping down and flying away with them. I've seen so many visitors caught out and gobsmacked with this kind of thievery by the gulls, greedy sods. Locals know better, wink...

Fingers are not compulsory. And you don’t have to eat it walking along the street.

You find a wall on the seafront or harbour bay.

But you would know this if you live by the sea.

I grew up over an hour away from the beach - fish and chips out of paper on the beach was definitely a holiday activity for us. Now I live about 500m from the beach but fish and chips still tastes so much better sat by the sea :)

You can live by the sea and still enjoy traditional seaside activities, you know - maybe try it sometime, you'll be surprised how nice it is.

And nobody said anything about eating with your fingers while walking along the street.

@TheFairCat

Sounds lovely to me

YABU my Mum and I used to drive to the sea front, get fish and chips and eat it watching the sea. It was her favourite night out when she was in her 80s. We always did it for her birthday and to mark my Dads birthday (he had sadly passed away by then). Defo a “big night out” for us!

It is a great experience, having fish and chips on the seafront, on a bench! And you do sound a bit miserable. 😆

Unclench and have a bit of fun in your life!

Also, I have never - in all my times eating chips by the sea - had a seagull steal my chips. Or my ice cream, or anything actually. Seagulls are very misunderstood. I love them! 😄 Pigeons too.

I have never agreed with a post on Mumsnet more than I agree with yours OP.

I’m very envious (but in a nice way). In fact I am fancying it now - eating out of the paper watching and smelling the sea. Cannot beat it!

Someone else who is grumpy LOL! 😆

You need to go to better places that serve hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows. I don't have the issues you're going on about!

Now I really need to be sitting in the beach wall eating F&C from the Middle Street Fish Bar in Deal.

The gulls are quite well mannered, too.

I've been to Knoops in Brighton (which is ver' ver; nice hot chocolate ) but how can you drink it with cream and not end up with a 'tache ?

And even Knoops wasn't hot enough . I am a savage , obvs

Sometimes I go after work on a Friday - go to the chippy, order a portion of chips and a cold drink and sit by the sea for half an hour before going home - it's one of my favourite things and never gets old!

Hmm, cod not haddock.

No, seagulls are evil shits who would eat each other if they can't get tourist chips.

I’m sort of with you, OP. it’s sometimes suggested as though it is going to be an entire evening’s activity when it will only take 30 mins unless there’s a ridiculous queue in which case it does take longer but everyone is grumpy!

Both are nice. Haddock in Scotland. Very nice with some Whyte and Mackay to follow !