London, Lorries, Lifts & Lepers

Even though Americans and the English speak the same language, we often seem as different as night and day. First, we don’t really speak the same language—when was the last time you called a truck, a lorry & vice versa? Second, our ketchups taste different. And third, the English—or at least the “better” class—secretly see Americans as something just above the Untouchable caste but definitely above lepers. Okay, I exaggerate a little. So it’s ironic that despite our differences we actually share the same personality type, extroverted Classic Structure (ESTJ). Today, I focus on our biggest cultural difference, afternoon tea. Sigh, if only we shared that in common!

This factoid from Brent Massey’s “Where in the World Do I Belong??” illustrates how having the same personality type doesn’t mean you’re the same person. We’re all shaped by our environment and our history. Americans and the English might share the same cultural personality type but the two countries have had quite different experiences over the past 300+ years. For the Americans, there’s the hardship of colonizing a new land and then that small matter of our rebellion and overthrow of our previously shared government and monarchy etc. Point is, we’ve lived different lives and are therefore different even though we’re similar. So, the next time you hear someone claim to not believe in personality type because they’re nothing like so and so who is also a Classic Structure, you know what to say.

Londong Calling

When I think of England, I always think of tea. It’s the most obvious cultural difference that we have—beyond their inability to get ketchup right, which is probably equivalent to the American inability to get afternoon tea right. So, I tore out a recent Financial Times Magazine’s feature on new, cool, hip places to have tea in London. I did so mainly because I hope to get to these establishments before they’re long gone.   

The Gilbert Scott—Located in the old Midland Grand hotel near St. Pancras station. It’s old school without the dust. Perfection for this traditional Classic Freedom (SFJ).

Hix Soho—Uber hip, yet classy and the menu is mouth watering … HIX Blend afternoon tea, West Country crumpet with raspberry jam & clotted cream. Welsh rabbit fondue with Oolong tea, Potted smoked salmon ‘Hix cure’ & pickled cucumber with whole leaf green tea. If I had a transporter, I’d be there now.

The Palm Court at the Langham Hotel—Their tea has been awarded the Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2010. “the OSCARS of the tea world.” Seriously, the very existence OF a tea guild cannot possibly be a better illustration of the difference in our two cultures. The Palm Court looks like it jumped out of the glittering late 1920s. I just read their menu, proper finger sandwiches and mini pastries. It’s 4pm, I’m pregnant, starving and nearly dying writing this PixieTip.

Momo—You’ll be transported to Morocco. So this would be after you’ve had your proper tea somewhere else and are ready to shake things up a bit.

St. John Hotel—This place is possibly too cool for me. Super hip and modern on the inside with the attitude I love about the English. Their tea is called “The Little Bun Moment: Nothing finer than warm little buttock-like buns … [meant to] sustain you through the afternoon. It is served in the bar from 3pm until 5:30pm. When you bite the afternoon bun it reveals itself – bitter chocolate, prune or anchovy.These should be enjoyed with champagne. Or tea, if you must.” It’s enough to make me book a plane ticket to London. Oh right, I’m about to have a baby in 3 weeks.

Voluptea—I had to include this one as on Saturdays and Sundays this house of burlesque serves up entertainment and a delicious tea: Toffee Apple Cake Pops, Hazelnut Macaroons With Frangelico Chocolate Ganache, Dense gooey chocolate brownies with a hint of chilli topped with white chocolate, Scones, apricot jam, strawberry jam and clotted cream, White Bread Fingers Filled with smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill, Walnut Bread Fingers Filled with honey-roasted ham and English mustard, Bbasil Bread Fingers Filled with egg mayonnaise and cress, Wholemeal Bread Fingers Filled with chicken and avocado, Beetroot Bread Fingers Filled with roasted beef and horseradish. Need I say more?