Originally Posted by BigDavyG

You must have pretty high standards.
Have to say I didn't notice it myself when I was at home during the summer, and the smoking ban had only been in force for 6 months.
There isn't much in a most boozers these days that will hold the smell of smoke, like carpet, curtains, etc.

Originally Posted by Danny B

Where's home? England only became smoke free on July 1st 2007 so if you were in boozers this summer chances are people were still stubbing out their last fag before the ban.

I think the Scots had the ban in March 2006, Wales in April 2007 and in Ireland March 2004

Originally Posted by USAGypsies

During all the thoughts that go into shall we go home, shall we stay, I have recently decided that 'English Pubs' are absolutely essential to me.
At the risk of sounding like a right sado I ask that you give me a chance to explain myself.

I have never been a proper pub go-er... never really associated myself with a particular pub or ever been called a 'local'. No barman/lady has ever said 'your usual love?' to me. I have spent time in many pubs from about age 17, London Pubs (trivia: Did you know that there is only 1 pub on the whole of Oxford Street?! Okay, maybe I am a sado), to countryside pubs. Really beautiful picture perfect ones with pretty window boxes where you had to bend so as not to hit your head on the beams (apart from me who is barely over 5ft), to the lively Punch and Judy in Covent Garden where standing room is available if you're willing to keep your coat on your arm, be pressed and shoved like you are on the rush hour tube and talk to your work collegues underneath a complete strangers armpit.
I used to love having a pub roast with the family on a Sunday. Enjoy the beer garden on a warm summers day, listen to the conversations abound and people watch... and, well just feel like you belong and that you are welcome. They are so versatile and neutral, everyone has equal standing and you can hold a very serious meeting at lunchtime and in the same room a few hours later totally humilate yourself on the Karaoke.

Here in the US I have found no replacement... nothing even close. Some restaurants I have been to have a lovely atmosphere but it's not the same. Even the 'Faux British pubs' don't quite cut it. No matter how elaborate the decor or what is available on draught, you always feel like there is something missing... you know?

I never realised how important it was to me to have 'pubs' at my disposal until recently (when I obviously had too much time to think). For celebrating, for socialising, for just relaxing with a loved one, there's nothing else like it. I am really looking forward to having them in my life again when we return and plan to do a bit of travelling and visit some new ones. I suppose I am finding a new appreciation for things I once took for granted.

I would love to hear what others think.... those that are still here and those that have returned to the UK already

Originally Posted by Serenity

Hmmm... can people take karma back?!

Originally Posted by flashman

Just a theory but for Brits to socialize they need to chat on neutral territory fuelled by alcohol.


Entertaining at home isn't done and trying to get sober Brits to chat is like pulling chickens teeth.

Originally Posted by Danny B

I hate city pubs as they tend to have large screen TV's showing football and full of aggressive drunks.

However my old village local was the complete opposite, no TV and full of friendly folk.

I don't miss either of them though, I would much prefer to be with my friends in a nearby warm coffee shop than a place that stinks of tobacco and stale beer.

Originally Posted by Danny B

I hate city pubs as they tend to have large screen TV's showing football and full of aggressive drunks.

However my old village local was the complete opposite, no TV and full of friendly folk.

I don't miss either of them though, I would much prefer to be with my friends in a nearby warm coffee shop than a place that stinks of tobacco and stale beer.

Originally Posted by Lothianlad

The "local" - ie the pub most local to where you live, or the one which you frequent the most often with your mates (or family or whoever) is the very focal point of practically all the social life of the majority of people here in the UK. Pubs vary in character and many cater for families with restaurants and bars that suit families with young kids. Others have facilities for those into playing darts, pool, snooker or to watching live sport on big plasmas, mostly in the public bars. People go to pubs to meet people (either people they know or people they are meeting for the first time) and the atmosphere is entirely social, but some people choose to go to pubs to discuss business or to sort out problems or whatever while having a meal and a drink (or two or three....) In some pubs you can order and pay for meals at the bar, then choose your seats and table and the food will be brought to you direct from the kitchen. Menus in many bars vary a lot and some have the day's specials chalked up on a big blackboard or in some other prominent place as well as on individual menus on the tables. Or you can go through to a restaurant separate from the bars and order at table and then pay up for the lot at the end of the meal.

Bars vary a lot in character - some have loud ear splitting techno music with all the games machines, most have different kinds of entertainment evenings with a whole range of music and singing, some have quiz nights with teams forming leagues, some are quiet and secluded and in winter with roaring real log fireplaces where people can chat and enjoy themselves in relative peace. The very essence of the British pub scene is a social atmosphere (either very relaxed or frenetic, depending on the pub bar) and as I say is the main focal point of all kinds of communities, from wee villages to large city centres. Most pubs have gardens where in summer you can sit outside (weather permitting) and eat and drink. Some pubs are very small and cosy, and some are massive with car parks the size of a footie ground.

You will be very hard pressed to find any community in the UK without a pub..or two...or three or four or more. Norwich city area in Norfolk, England, has 365! And 52 churches and one cathedral, strangely enough, so they have their priorities sorted out there!


There is not a TV soap in the UK in which much of the action doesn't take place in the "local" pub - 60% on average of the time of each episode is spent in the pub - The Rovers Return in Corrie (Coronation Street), the Wheatsheaf in Emmerdale, the Queen Vic in Eastenders and whatever that pub is called in Hollyoaks, just for starters. Without the pub the soaps would fizzle out.

British pubs can have the strangest of names - apart from run of the mill King's Heads, Queen's Arms, the Dog and Ducks, the Greyhounds (often near a race track), The Red Lions, the Duke of Yorks and the Saracen's Heads and the Pig and Whistles, there are the Slug and Lettuce, the Quiet Woman, the Hole in the Wall, The Poosie Nansie's, The Inn Next Door Burnt Down, The Round of Carrots, The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, The Cat and Custard Pot, The Podgy Pooch, The Muscular Arms, The Jolly Taxpayer, The Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower Inn, The World Turned Upside Down, the Bull and Bladder and the Nobody's Inn.

Without the local pub social life in Britain would collapse. Cheers!

Originally Posted by USAGypsies

No!

I am a coffee addict since moving to the USA thats for sure.

Originally Posted by USAGypsies

During all the thoughts that go into shall we go home, shall we stay, I have recently decided that 'English Pubs' are absolutely essential to me.

Originally Posted by brits1

AND to much caffine is bad for you.....makes you all hyper....mad, aggresive even....a bit like those aggressive drunks you had in your local....gosh just where did you come from?........BC

Originally Posted by brits1

...unless you have ever been to a traditional British Pub you have not got a clue what you are talking about.....

Originally Posted by Elvira

This is eery....... are you my alter ego...