Laptops, Luggage & Leashes: British Chinwags

Travel is an education; mainly a reminder that we humans are more alike than different. The differences I like to notice and appreciate are from the people who "get it" when it comes to figuring out life. Here's an example of a few of my British chinwags (chats) that left an impression on me.

A Simple Cup of Joy

One morning after walking Ruby, I started down the steep leaf-covered path to explore more of Saltaire. An older gentleman just started talking to me as he approached. Sidenote: every passerby here says "hello" or "Alright?" as another way of asking "How are you today?" They are so warm and friendly.

Here's my exchange with this man:

Man: "My goodness me! I went to the cafe for my coffee this morning, and you know what happened? I'll tell ya, my card wouldn't work in the swiper and she said, 'it's alright, dear, you can have it.' Do you believe it? She gave me the coffee for free!" (He said with a delighted giggle, smile beaming.)

Me: "That's great! Is it good coffee?"

Man: "It is good coffee! I walk down to the cafe every day for it!"

Note: Allow yourself to be overjoyed by simple gestures. Share it with others. A regular customer receives a small kindess, and instead of feeling entitled because he goes there every day, has so much gratitude he appears as if he'll burst if I didn't know of it. If that is the only good thing that happens this week for him, I have no doubt he will be content. I saw him again another day and he greeted me as an old friend. I'm cementing his smile into my brain for a rainy day.

Baildon is Crackers

On my return from exporing Baildon one day, I came across a grammar school with the line of parents in parked cars waiting for their children. A woman coming the other direction on the sidewalk stopped me for a chinwag.

Woman: "Do you believe all these cars? And the size of them? They just keep getting bigger!"

Me: "I'm from the U.S. and they're even bigger over there! Some people drive huge trucks and they don't even have a farm, or a pull a boat, or use them for a caravan."

Woman: "A truck without a farm? Or without a caravan to haul? Really?"

Me: "Yes, the trucks keep getting bigger and bigger as well, and they just use them to drive about in town."

Woman: "Really?! That's just crackers. It's all crackers, these big cars. And I bet some of these children live only yards away."

Me: "I couldn't agree more."

Note: Tucking "that's crackers!" into my repretoire.

I've never met an American before

At the behest of my hosts, I went to Shimla Spice for dinner one night. It's a Pakistani restaurant with the "best curry" according to Gillian. The Brits are crazy for curry, by the way.

(The use of "crackers" > "crazy" is not appropriate in this context.)

My waiter was difficult to understand, so I was trying to be congenial rather than let him know I didn't follow. I ordered the King Prawn Bahna, which is a medium spice curry. (Back to Ted Lasso, remember in the first episode when he and Trent Crim eat the spicy Indian food? Yeah, it was like that.) When he asked what starter I wanted and (I think) drink, I just said whatever he recommended. I ended up getting a Coca-Cola and this giant crisp thing with a variety of sauces. I wondered if he assumes all Americans like Coke and potato chips?

He asked me a few questions and I tried to explain where Washington state is on the Pacific Coast. He then confessed, "I've never met an American before." That explained why he was so attentive and faster with my service than everyone around me. At first I thought maybe they are uncomfortable with a woman eating alone. Now I think he was just trying to provide service like we expect in America. Fast.

Note: When you order garlic naan, they present it on a hook like a halibut.

Some photos of Baildon and my naan.