The Things You Hear

Ireland, Great Britain and other islands in north west Europe.

Overheard at a Bureau De Change in Hammersmith yesterday

American customer: "So are you guys on the Euro over here?"

Cashier: *shocked look* "No sir, we are on the pound"

2nd American customer: "Oh really? Do they accept pounds in Scotland?"

Cashier: *facepalm* "Yes, Scotland accepts pounds"

1st American customer: "Oh so they accept pounds in Ireland then?"

Cashier: *exasperated look* "No in the Republic of Ireland they accept Euro's but in Northern Ireland it's pounds."

2nd American customer looks confused.

1st American customer: "What's different about Northern Ireland?"

Cashier shoots herself.

OK. She didn't (she explained the different between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, politely and as well as could be expected [note for those confused: the United Kingdom is a sovereign country of which the countries you call "England", "Scotland", "Wales" are part and includes a portion of the island of Ireland called "Ulster" or "Northern Ireland". This country is also known as Britain. The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign country which occupies the majority of the island of Ireland. It is sometimes called Eire. Simple]). But God, how on Earth do you travel to a country and not know what currency they use? How do you make it from your arrival point in Britain to Hammersmith and NOT know that Britain's currency is the pound?

I understand not everyone is as anal as I am about finding out about my destinations, but surely the two basic things you learn before you travel to another country is 1) what language do they speak and 2) what currency they take. You don't just turn up and hope for the best!!!

Then I went and got a Cornish pasty from the West Cornwall pasty company. They are a chain.

"Are your pasties fresh or frozen?" asks one gentleman.

"Well we bake them here but they are sent to us frozen." says the shop assistant.

"Yuck" says the man as he walks out.

Who in their right minds expects a chain food place (Delice de France, West Cornwall Pasty company etc) to cook their stuff fresh? GO TO A LOCAL BAKERY!!! It's no wonder local bakery's are going under, their customers are too stupid to know what makes them special.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist