Eating Overseas

Today I want to talk about eating overseas.  The good news is there is always a McDonalds close at hand.  The bad news is something we might expect will taste like it does here at home - does not.  I remember the first time I ordered ketchup in northern Australia.  It did not taste like ketchup.  I ruined my scrambled eggs. 

Breakfast for instance in Ireland will say bacon.  However their bacon is nothing like ours.  you will not get a nice crisp strip of bacon.  You will get something more like ham.  They also serve a fried tomato and beans with their traditional breakfast.  The beans taste like canned pork and beans.  Below you can see a typical breakfast.  The next paragraph will explain.

In Ireland, as elsewhere, the exact constituents of a full breakfast vary, depending on geographical area, personal taste and cultural affiliation. Traditionally, the most common ingredients are bacon rashers, pork sausages, fried eggs, white pudding, black pudding, toast and fried tomato.^[13] Sauteed field mushrooms are also sometimes included,^[14] as well as baked beans, hash browns, liver, and brown soda bread.^[15][16][17] Fried potato farl, boxty or toast is sometimes served as an alternative to brown soda bread.
The "breakfast roll",^[18] consisting of elements of the full breakfast served in a French roll, has become popular due to the fact it can be easily eaten on the way to school or work, similar to the breakfast burrito in the United States.^[18] The breakfast roll is available from many petrol stations and convenience stores throughout Ireland.^[18] In 2006 Irish comedian Pat Shortt released a song called "Jumbo Breakfast Roll".

 

It is not abnormal for me to make sure I take a small bottle of ketchup with me overseas.  How can someone enjoy fries (I mean chips) without proper ketchup?

 

In Europe they do not call French Fries fries.  Fries are called chips and chips are called crisps.  Hence the menu item fish and chips.  I find it hard to find BBQ chips - instead they have paprika crisps.  Another example is a cookie is called a biscuit and a biscuit is called a scone.

 

You will find this throughout the language and culture.  A few more are:

 

sneakers = runners or trainers

sweater = jumper (same in Australia)

fast food place that sales fries = chipper

sidewalk = footpath or pavement

car trunk = boot

car hood = bonnet

windshield = windscreen

attractive person = a ride

trash can = bin

suspenders = braces

parking lot = car park

drug store = chemist

stove = cooker

expensive = dear

cigarette = fag

overpass = flyover

soccer = football ** THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM

satisfied = happy as Larry

rent = hire

underpants = knickers

truck = lorry

vacation = holiday

elevator = lift

bathroom = loo / toilet

ground beef = mince

cell phone = mobile

diapers = nappies

pass traffic = overtake

gas = petro

drunk = pissed

mail = post

call someone = ring

high school = secondary school

outlet = socket

weight = stones (14 pounds to a stone)

faucet = tap

grocery cart = trolley

 

In closing just remember - if there is something you cannot live without maybe take it with you.  You will definitely find things you like over there that you cannot get here.  However Amazon it taking care of that.  I love the tea in Ireland.  Oh - and the chocolate because there is nothing like a Cadbury. 

 

Tomorrow we will talk about the foods you should never eat overseas.