Re: The American's first UK visit
 

:rofl: yes, The green dragon is still there and doing well. Still a bit of a townies v squaddies split in the pubs in Beverley though, need to be a bit careful on Saturday nights.

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

I was in the RAF, we avoided getting into fights. You had to have a higher level of intelligence to be in the RAF. :)
I was in the Green Dragon 2012, hadn't changed much, they had made one big room instead of the old public bar and snug.
Beverley is a town where I could easily live. I'm half following Beverley on Facebook, a fun group of people.

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

Take her for a cheeky Nandos!

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

You were right about the RAF requirement of "higher intelligence" When I passed the medical for National Service I was sent for service selection. I took the RAF entrance exam and failed it. I was marched downstairs to the Army selection officer and was assigned to the Artillery. I guess they had enough faith in me that I wouldn't end up pointing a howitzer in the wrong direction and blowing up our own chaps.

A year later in Malaya I was on leave with a group of pals at Penang, a popular R and R place for British Swaddies at the time.

We were In a bar knocking back the ale one evening when in walked six RAF chaps from RAF Penang also out for the evening. There were also a group of rowdy Aussie soldiers drinking at the bar all half pissed. They started to razz the RAF chaps hoping for a fight but the RAF didn't want a fight, words were exchanged, insults flew and the Aussies were all set to wade into them for a scrap anyway.

We Gunners decided to intervene when a couple of the Aussies started to call us Pommy Bastards. We took the Aussies on and the scrap ended in a draw with some black eyes and loose teeth on both sides. The Military Police arrived and hauled my group and the Aussies off to the MP Post and we all spent the night in cells. The happy ending of course was that your chaps all returned to their billets, safe. sound and unhurt. That's what Swaddies do, they keep the RAF out of harms way :lol:

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

It's to be hoped that she wont start sounding off about "how cute y'all are and how small everything is compared to back home"

I married an American girl and thankfully she does not have a big mouth but there are a lot that do flap off at the mouth far and away too much

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

Let's face it, everything in England is small, especially the parking spaces. I married an American girl too, I avoid the potential problem by proactively slagging of Britain and the British much more resolutely than she ever would.

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

Small parking places doth not a country make. The public transportation system in England is second to none. Getting around on buses or trains is a breeze. It makes such a great change from freakin freeways and daily gridlock. I speak this as a burned out southern California driver of many years standing.

My wife is very much an Anglophile. Her only negative comment was about the weather. ;)

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

Already in the itinerary!

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

You're right, none worse!

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

Compared to the transportation system in and around Los Angeles it's streets ahead.
It's very gradually improving but around 60 years too late already.

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

OK so that makes the British system the second to the worst!

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

I've seen one bus in the 20 months I've been in Texas. She'll probably be surprised by the amount of buses kicking about :rofl:

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

I seem to remember something about US service personnel not wanting to fight British soldiers because the latter head-butt - something Americans don't do.

Any ex- British forces members confirm?

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

My ex was ex-military, no head butting but she had an evil right hook...

Scousers, Mancunians and Glaswegians (amongst others) that I know seem to favour the 'glasgow kiss' or 'scottish handshake' although I believe it is now a popular pastime amongst the drunk thugs all over the UK.
Us Devonians are far more refined, with glassings and stabbings being the preferred modus operandi at a few of my old haunts, not the sort of places I'd take the average better half....

Re: The American's first UK visit
 

The RAF aren't as "macho man" as other branches, I never wore my uniform off base. A good night out didn't include getting into fights.