Spin-off: American and British/Irish culture Q&A thread.

[Buzz Rules]

Never saw it growing up because we sure didnt do bread and cheese before dinner ...

The bread aspect stayed past the 18th century. Cheese became less prominent as a starter in a meal because diets in the USA changed post colonial times. It was a difference in society classes in early America.

 

[john7994]

The bread aspect stayed past the 18th century. Cheese became less prominent as a starter in a meal because diets in the USA changed post colonial times.

Perhaps a regional thing - because if there was any bread in our meals - it was of the "wonder" variety and it was slapped around something to make a sandwich or as a side to slop up something

 

[Buzz Rules]

Perhaps a regional thing - because if there was any bread in our meals - it was of the "wonder" variety and it was slapped around something to make a sandwich or as a side to slop up something

In the Northeastern part of the USA, I think it might be tradition that goes back to colonial times (my ancestors were here during that time). My parents always made (and still do) a fresh loaf of bread on the weekend that we ate with dinner for the week. It was fresh with no preservatives. That was common in MA, NY, CT, NJ, and PA in the 1700’s. So was making baked beans in New England’s case.

 

[Buzz Rules]

‘Our’ hotdogs are different aren’t they? I think they are made with different meat and the ones in Casey’s Corner are sweet tasting.

Ours can be beef, pork, or a mix. Popular brands include Boars Head, Oscar Mayer, Hebrew National, and Ballpark Franks.

 

[john7994]

In the Northeastern part of the USA, I think it might be tradition that goes back to colonial times (my ancestors were here during that time). My parents always made (and still do) a fresh loaf of bread on the weekend that we ate with dinner for the week. It was fresh with no preservatives. That was common in MA, NY, CT, NJ, and PA in the 1700’s. So was making baked beans in New England’s case.

Might well could be - I am more midwestern stock (Polish heritage) - bread baking was around special dinners or holidays (again in my household). Was NEVER a fan of baked beans

 

[john7994]

For our British Friends ... how well do shows like "Downton Abbey" and "The Crown" depict reality beyond the historical events?

 

[Buzz Rules]

A recommendation for the Brits. If you like the BBC series Poldark, you might like AMC’s Turn.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I do. We had farthings, half pennies pronounced hay-puh-nee, pennies, three pence (thrupence), sixpence, shillings, half crowns and crowns. You had to be very good at multiples of 12.

How much are shillings, half crowns, and crowns? What is a quid? There are so many other names for money under the old system I can't remember. Does a shilling equal 12 pence? etc, etc.

 

[Buzz Rules]

How much are shillings, half crowns, and crowns? What is a quid? There are so many other names for money under the old system I can't remember. Does a shilling equal 12 pence? etc, etc.

 

[Jangles]

For our British Friends ... how well do shows like "Downton Abbey" and "The Crown" depict reality beyond the historical events?

I think Downton and before that Upstairs Downstairs portray a sugar coated version of life ‘in service’ and a rose tinted version of what the class system was like. Authors such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, James Joyce offer a more realistic portrayal.
I refuse to acknowledge any of The Crown as truth, as the depiction of Aberfan was so hurtful to the still living families of the children killed and, in my opinion, there is absolutely no way that the Queen would have behaved in the manner portrayed.

 

[Jangles]

A recommendation for the Brits. If you like the BBC series Poldark, you might like AMC’s Turn.

Apparently we can’t view this. What is it called?

 

[Jangles]

How much are shillings, half crowns, and crowns? What is a quid? There are so many other names for money under the old system I can't remember. Does a shilling equal 12 pence? etc, etc.

Dust off the old memory cells. Yes a shilling was one twentieth of a pound and became 12 new pence. A half crown was 2 shillings and sixpence and a crown 5 shillings.
A quid is £1. It used to be a note, but is now a coin.

 

[BadPinkTink]

For our British Friends ... how well do shows like "Downton Abbey" and "The Crown" depict reality beyond the historical events?

I see them as visually portraying the reality, what people wore, what the houses were like, bringing to life what we can only see in black and white photos. But like @Jangles said, the do not show the reality of the class system. When I was a child my family was involved with the restoration of stately house in Ireland. The land was "gifted" to British aristocracy in the 1600's and over the centuries the house was rebuilt and added to and is now very similar to the Downton Abbey House. On the surface it looks like the Big House and the villagers get on, that the villagers were happy working for the family and its basically like being employed in 2022. The reality was very different. Ive heard stories from people who lived in the village when the Family lived in the Big House , stories from the 1950's 1960's. The class system was still very much felt even then.

I look at Downton Abbey and The Crown the same was I look at Gone With The Wind and Roots and other mainstream American historical fiction. They give an insight into the historical events, allow us to learn about events and people which may not be taught in schools but they should be just viewed the same way as a Marvel or Star Wars film.

 

[Jangles]

Congrats to Wales. We (USMNT fans) are super excited to play you guys in the first game.

I don’t know whether you watched the game but as we may play the US and this is a difference in cultures thread….. did you hear the piece that Welsh supporters have made their anthem at football games?

It is relatively modern but addresses the oppression of Wales, our language and culture. It was written in response to Thatcherism, but it also has earlier historical content. It has become mainstream and it is fascinating that it has been adopted by Welsh football fans and Welsh football clubs.

 

[Jangles]

With the lyrics subtitled in English.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Why do regular (non-American) footbal (aka soccer) goalies wear a different color than the rest of the team and a lot of the times they are a color not even related to the team's colors?

Also, why are sponsorship logos larger than the team logos on jerseys? I mean, I know Manchester United's team isn't called the "Team Viewers", but it certainly looks like it.

 

[Jangles]

For our British Friends ... how well do shows like "Downton Abbey" and "The Crown" depict reality beyond the historical events?

What about ‘The Gilded Age’?

I enjoy US tv programmes. I loved Homeland, The Plot Against America and enjoyed The Affair, Revenge, Ally McBeal, ER, Madam Secretary and of course Happy Days, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, High Chaparral, Quincy and Columbo. Recently in the U.K. we have had Jamestown, which I think of as the alternative Poldark.
And then of course all the cinema films. Hollywood very much led British perception of US life.

Foolish confession. I watched the film about the making of the documentary of The Staircase, without realising (or watching) the actual documentary!

 

[john7994]

I see them as visually portraying the reality, what people wore, what the houses were like, bringing to life what we can only see in black and white photos. But like @Jangles said, the do not show the reality of the class system. When I was a child my family was involved with the restoration of stately house in Ireland. The land was "gifted" to British aristocracy in the 1600's and over the centuries the house was rebuilt and added to and is now very similar to the Downton Abbey House. On the surface it looks like the Big House and the villagers get on, that the villagers were happy working for the family and its basically like being employed in 2022. The reality was very different. Ive heard stories from people who lived in the village when the Family lived in the Big House , stories from the 1950's 1960's. The class system was still very much felt even then.

I look at Downton Abbey and The Crown the same was I look at Gone With The Wind and Roots and other mainstream American historical fiction. They give an insight into the historical events, allow us to learn about events and people which may not be taught in schools but they should be just viewed the same way as a Marvel or Star Wars film.

Very interesting analogy. thank you.

 

[john7994]

I think Downton and before that Upstairs Downstairs portray a sugar coated version of life ‘in service’ and a rose tinted version of what the class system was like. Authors such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, James Joyce offer a more realistic portrayal.
I refuse to acknowledge any of The Crown as truth, as the depiction of Aberfan was so hurtful to the still living families of the children killed and, in my opinion, there is absolutely no way that the Queen would have behaved in the manner portrayed.

Appreciate the candid view. Thank you.

 

[Jangles]

Why do regular (non-American) footbal (aka soccer) goalies wear a different color than the rest of the team and a lot of the times they are a color not even related to the team's colors?

Also, why are sponsorship logos larger than the team logos on jerseys? I mean, I know Manchester United's team isn't called the "Team Viewers", but it certainly looks like it.

They need to be easily seen by the players and the ref.
If you sponsor a team, you need to get those advertisements in bold!