Little things that need explanation

Hi Sigurd and welcome!

I wouldn't put too much into what's been said here, you're find all in all people on the board are pretty friendly and helpful. I think it just touched some raw nerves for some people- kind of like criticism.
There's plenty that people can say the same in reverse- like why are there 55 gazillion lanes on US freeways, why doesn't the US have ANY good chocolate, why do drink sizes appear to be elephant sizes, why is public transportation so crappy... etc. It's all subjective.

I love Saltines and can understand your missing them.
But I have to say you moved to the land of soccer and assuming you can watch NFL just like you do in the US is pretty unrealistic. It would be like assuming any old bar in the US will be showing lots of UK rugby matches.
But I really just wanted to say welcome and this is a web forum and it is extremely beneficial to try not to read too much into replies.

Aside from my personal opinion of not liking saltines, I don't see that my responses about bacon and soft drinks were in any way hostile. I explained that because back bacon is the most popular kind, it's what gets called bacon, and then expressed my personal preference for it. I also explained that there isn't the same soft drink culture here, and asked you whether you found that elsewhere. You felt that was a personal attack but were then surprised that anyone took your words in the wrong way? 

Hey sigurd!!    Welcome to the forum - I thought that Beccarose had some good advice.  And anyway, maybe this is just one of those - everybody let it go & let's start afresh.  Here's the things I can help you with:

Saltines - everybody has their must-have item for sure!  Mine seems to rotate around a bit.  You've gotten some good advice on the Saltines - the Dorianos are kinda similar, you can buy them for sure at Sainsburys & perhaps other supermarkets as well, but they are kind of too thick & not that salty IMO as compared to an honest to goodness Saltine -- though they might do in a pinch.  At least at one point & I've not looked/bought them in awhile, Morrisons was selling something as near to a real Saltine (without being a real Saltine) in a pack of crackers labelled as Delsa.  Here is an old Food Talk thread all about the love of Saltines:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=66241.0   

Streaky bacon is the one you want!  You can buy it either smoked or unsmoked - try both & see which you prefer.

A few places here do offer refillable/soda fountain drinks - one is Nandos - great spicy chicken too!  Also I think you get free refills at Subway as well, but I've not been to one in awhile.  There may be other places as well.

Can't remember seeing where you said you are living?  Also what is your second language, out of curiosity?  My husband works in IT here - but we are up north.

A few places here do offer refillable/soda fountain drinks - one is Nandos - great spicy chicken too!  Also I think you get free refills at Subway as well, but I've not been to one in awhile.  There may be other places as well.

I have nothing constructive to add except for mmmmmm Nandos. 

Hi sigurd, welcome to UKY. 

Well I don't know much about the other stuff, but I just wanted to add my 0.02 pence on bacon. Mmm. Bacon.
Well-
Pancetta gives you a nice crispy bacon feel - doesn't quite taste the same,even the smoked, but gives you the same texture as American Style bacon.
I think Canadian Bacon is more like the small slices of gammon, rather than any other bacon types

I have nothing constructive to add except for mmmmmm Nandos. 

+100 gazillion thousand.

One of my colleagues at work brings in saltine-esque crackers sometimes for tea breaks.  They aren't saltines, but if you took away the packaging and just gave me a few crackers on a plate and told me they were saltines, I would totally buy it.  I don't remember the name of them or where she gets them from though; will have to ask her next time. 

The explanation for all of these things, is that you're in a different country. The UK is not little America, despite speaking the same language. There's all sorts of reasons for things to be different, you wouldn't expect saltines to be sold in Malaysia, so why in the UK?

That is the key in a nutshell.  You are in a different country even though you may be able to understand the language. Because of that things will be different.  Search for what you can to make yourself feel at home but do try at least to embrace the culture of your new country

I agree. Let's let it go and move on. We're labouring the point now. No more finger pointing needed-no matter who started what.

To the OP, just had to say I'm impressed. We can usually spot people who's first language isn't English right away, but I had no idea this was the case for you until you said something. Where are you from originally?

I also agree on the saltines. Doriano is a little different, but very close. I also preferred the ones I found at Morrisons.

If someone's in the mood for something different, we found some that have herbs in them that taste nice with cheese. We use them for our chutney samples at farmers markets and food festivals. (DH and I own a preserves company). The brand name is Colussi, and we buy them at Macro.

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Mmm chutney!

(And mmmm Nandos!)

Can I say that I think Nandos is slightly overrated?

Can I say that I think Nandos is slightly overrated?

You had me at Parade's End, but now that you have blasphemed Nandos - we'll have to call the whole thing off!   

I repent!!

Nandos is good - I especially like their hottest sauce. When in a strange new surrounding I will often default to Nandos. But I walk by one everyday without thinking of going in. Now with Gregg's the pavement seems to warp like space time funneling me down into its relativistic clutches. But this is apples and oranges really.

I thought the opening post was kind of tongue in cheek and funny.....

And back bacon made of awesome..........that's a keeper!

Ack- Greggs?



Vive le Nandos!

Greggs?!!  That's just dirty.  

(right except for their Belgian buns...  )