jasper123

celtic I just had a quick look at that web site and a small box of Weetabix
(24 biscuits) for $6.99 was the biggest shocker, I used to get the same box in Vegas for $2.14 at trader joes, that was the only place that sold them in town, except the british import store and they sold them for $4.50,
Ambrosia cans of creamed rice or custard here in U.K are 50p a can at most stores, at your dallas store $3 a can so thats 6 times more, quite a mark up even considering the shipping and duty,
But the prices for most things there were pretty close to most items in my Vegas British import store, Dallas was a little more expensive on a lot of things though,
But then for those who still have not made that gigantic leap across the ocean yet then even though the British treats are expensive at least you can buy them, or some of them anyway, the range is quite limited though,
Me thinks that the people who live in many parts of Florida and seek out british import stores that the prices maybe much cheaper, cause of the massive British Population who live permanently in Florida,

dunroving

If the minimum price were established via a minimum alcohol tax, at least the money could (note I didn't say "would") be used to offset the additional costs to the NHS, emergency services, etc., of alcohol consumption, especially over-consumption.

And if this prevents supermarket chains using deliberately underpriced alcohol to get people in the store, it might also help to alleviate the problem encountered by pubs. [Do you like that? notice I cross-referenced another thread ... ]

In a TV debate the other day, a conservative MP didn't even know how the minimum price would be achieved (i.e., would it be additional alcohol tax, or simply increased price/increased revenue for the supermarket chains). Honestly, politicians seem to get more like schoolkids every day - come on, do your homework for goodness' sake.

J.JsOH

Over two years back and we are still using the huge roll of Sams Club aluminum foil we shipped back.

I wish I had brought back a few wire coat hangers too but I threw them all out.
Not that I hang clothes on wire hangers - but they do bend up into shapes to use as reaching tools or for garden plant supports, drain pipe un-cloggers and such. Here they are not provided with Dry-cleaning or shop purchased clothes but I since found them for purchase at Wilkinson's

Fish n Chips 56

If they want to stop youngsters from overconsuming wouldn't it make more sense to raise the drinking age, kids always have the money or know how to find it.

I find that some of my relatives attitude about letting the young ones drink in the UK is far too lax, 16 is one thing 12& 13 is another, I just think its a very bad idea at that age, I did open my mouth but some were not interested.

My Dad would let us have shandy at a young age but Ive seen kids drinking real booze, Its a recipe for problem drinking and all the issues that come with it.

Celticspirit

Rodney.....what a big difference in prices. We don't go to the shop very often, but when we do, it is always incredibly busy and very well stocked.

J.JsOH

Lack of parental control, peer pressure and one's own personal sense of responsibility (not yet developed in youngsters) and availability plays, I suspect, as much if not more than the influence of price.

Part of the problem I fear is from the alcohol industry itself that markets alcoh-pops that appeal to sweet toothed kids.

I think the problem requires that society deem excess drinking unacceptable, price alone won't do it unless price gets so expensive that no one can afford it.

While role models such as sportsmen and tv personalities and film stars are seen on tv and in newspapers to be smashed then the easily influenced will follow the example in order to be cool.

I would like to see a movement by the famous in society to set a trend of alcohol responsibility.

J.JsOH

Norfolk is indeed lovely.
If one were to live in a village or coast and drive to nice locations or to the out-of-town grocery store and dine in the better pubs then one would never see the oiks up to their tricks in the population centres

curleytops

It would be nice to think that would be an effective means of solving the issue but I've got my doubts, I think you hit on the key when you mentioned attitudes and unfortunately that's a whole lot harder to change. When I was 13 the drinking age in the province where I lived was 21 and I could get liquor any time I liked if I had wanted it...and NOT from my parents either I might add. I guess I can thank them for the attitudes they did have with regard to underage drinking, I only got hammered once. I recall seeing a documentary several years ago that stated Iceland at that time had the highest rate of alcoholism in the world and their legal drinking age was 23!

J.JsOH

I bought Old Bay Seasoning online in UK from a business selling US foods.
Can't remember the site but I recall the vendor also had a stall on Cambridge market.

Fish n Chips 56

Very well said, I totally agree.

Fish n Chips 56

I understand your reason for doubts, No system is perfect, people will always get something if they really want it bad enough, using friends or family etc.

jasper123

Hello Fish,
Im glad I came from a State that the legal drinking age was 21 (NEVADA)
and my views on young people drinking these days is ----- in the U.K. especially as there are so many binge drinkers from 13 to 35 is to raise the legal drinking age to 36, and Im serious, there you go problem solved, I knew I should have become a politician, I think I would have made a good senator, but I know I couldn't have got the top Job (President) because I wasn't born in America

sallysimmons

I'm a bit late to the conversation I know but I wanted to let you know that I think it's a great idea and I'd recommend sticking with cities or large 'hip' towns as Rodney said, simply because you'd have a bigger pool of customers. (I could see something like this in Brighton or Manchester, for example).

Brits see American diners and restaurants on TV and the idea of going into on one would appeal if done well.

My own two cents though is that I think people here would be less likely to try something new if they didn't know anything on the menu. But if something on the menu was familiar and appealing enough, they'd come in and then start to learn about the other foods. That's how it was with Indian and Chinese restaurants back in the day.

So if it were me, I might center my branding on, say, southern fried chicken (which everyone here loves) but make sure the advertising and store front sold that it was the real deal - real American southern fried chicken. And also make sure the atmosphere is what Brits think of as American, including hiring American wait staff if possible (in big cities there should be students available). Selling really good burgers would help too - even if that's not actually authentic - because people here love a burger and it would be another way to draw them in with the familiar.

Then I'd market the more unusual stuff by educating people on it somehow within the restaurant - like maybe a blackboard where everyday you feature another foodstuff and explain what it is and how it tastes. (Biscuits would be a revelation here as we already like savory scones, but think a biscuit is something covered in chocolate that you dip in your tea).

If eating there was a complete American experience - including the drinks, the music, the decor etc. - I bet it would do really well.

I don't know if any of this is helpful but I did want to just say I think it's a great idea - and also to say that if you stick with the bigger cities as already discussed, you'd have the advantage of an American clientele built in.

Oooh, one other thought. One of the world's largest spy bases is near me and it's staffed by Americans. There is even an American school in Harrogate. I often hear American accents as we walk round. I'm just wondering if it might be worth choosing a town like that, where you have a built-in population of people who are homesick for American food.

sallysimmons

I just checked my cupboards to see the brand name of the one I bought - it's called 'Fry Light' and comes in a greenish can with a dark green top. It's in the aisle with the olive oil.

sallysimmons

I haven't missed a single thing from America food-wise - I thought the food there was awful for the most part - way too meat-focused and fatty for me and the chocolate was so bad I was never tempted. I am so enjoying the food here that I just had to see a hypnotherapist to help me control all the cravings! (Seems to have worked too, if anyone else is having the same problem).

But the one thing I do miss is being able to buy more than 16 pain killers at a time. What the hell is that about? I used to buy one big tub of Advil and then it would sit in the cupboard for whenever we needed it. Now there's only this little packet and if someone else has used it without me knowing, I'm out of luck when I really need pain relief. Drives me nuts!