This week’s post couldn’t really not have a British them. On the 31st January, Britain takes the first step leaving the European Union. There will then be a transition period. I’m going to leave any comment on Brexit at that. Because I have reached the stage of ‘whatever’ with British politics.
Despite Britain’s exit from the EU there will remain a healthy dose of Britishness within the EU. There are many Brits still living either part-time or full-time in the EU (estimates vary on the exact number but the UN puts it at 1.2 million). And so the tell tale signs of Britishness will continue to occupy EU space for some time to come.
Here are the tell tale signs of Britishness in my home.
Music
Many of the CDs I own didn’t make their way into the average Dutch home. I’m talking about British music that never really made a name over here. These are the artists I mention that make my husband screw his face up in confusion.
Food
My kitchen cupboards and fridge contain HP Brown sauce, Colman’s Mustard, Paxo stuffing, Marmite, Branston pickle, Ambrosia pudding rice and custard and Bisto.
My list is shorter than it was two decades ago but when I am over in England there are still items that come back with me. My list is definitely shorter than many other Brits who write about their goodie hauls in British expat groups. So I am sure that the EU will continue to be a haven for edible British imports for some time to come.
Notably, HP sauce, Colman’s mustard and Marmite are grocery items that are now available in the local Jumbo. I just need to start a campaign to get Branston Pickle over here.
Recipe books
I have assembled my English language recipe book collection over a few decades. Most of my Jamie Oliver books are in English instead of in Dutch like the majority of Jamie Oliver recipe book owners here.
I have a multitude of traditional British recipe books for delights such as apple crumble, Yorkshire puddings and bread and butter pudding.
I even have my cookery books from my secondary school Home Economics lessons. These are print outs assembled into a book, smeared with whatever was cooked in the course of the school years. The book cover is a poster of Morten Harket, probably taken from a magazine such as Just Seventeen. My first Home Ec lesson required us to make tea and toast, in case you are wondering.
The reason I mention Home Economics is that is was the subject of a dinner conversation just last week. The Dutch don’t generally do Home Economics in secondary school. My husband never had cookery lessons in school when he attended many decades ago. My secondary school attending son doesn’t now either. Is there a link between Dutch ‘cuisine’ and the lack of attention for it in secondary schools? No comment.
British schools still make pupils practice the art of cooking – under the guise of Food Technology, my friend informs me.
Books in General
Most of the books I own are English languages books. Me and Amazon.co.uk have been good friends over the years.
My three boys also have a healthy collection of English language books, to make sure their English is continually improving. It started thirteen years ago with books of British nursery rhymes and classic stories and has developed into the Harry Potter collection.
DVDs
When we moved in together my husband and I amalgamated our DVD collection and tit was then apparent that Dutch DVDs have Dutch subtitles available and British DVDs don’t. It’s the little things in life.
Incidentally, I now find watching films without Dutch subtitles harder viewing than with….. funny the things you get used to.
Board Games
The British version of word games is always different to the Dutch version by way of the compilation of letters. For example the Dutch scrabble version contains 2 ‘J’ tiles, whereas the British version contains 1. Playing Scrabble in Dutch with my British version and vice versa adds an extra challenge to the game which isn’t wholly necessary.
And of course British classics like ‘Snakes n Ladders’ is not common in the Netherlands.
Football Paraphenelia
There are not many children running around football pitches in the Netherlands donned in Watford FC kits. But there are three here in the Achterhoek. My sons all have Watford FC shirts, shorts and socks. They each own a WFC scarf too.
Any English Premier League kits you see here are usually Manchester United or, for some reason, Arsenal or Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspurs. I have never seen another child wearing a Watford kit. The Hornets are thriving in a little corner of the Netherlands.
Bags
Giving a guest a carrier bag from Tesco, Asda or John Lewis to take items home in suddenly seems exotic, just because it’s not an Albert Heijn or Jumbo bag.
Over to You
Look around you in your home – what gives you away as a non-local? What British items do you have in your home?
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