Little things that need explanation

What the heck is a "nandos"? You're all waxing rhapsodically so I'm hoping for a really good Mexican chain, but I doubt it.

What the heck is a "nandos"? You're all waxing rhapsodically so I'm hoping for a really good Mexican chain, but I doubt it.

You've never been to Nandos?!  It's supposedly Portuguese though - sorry! 

http://www.nandos.co.uk/

We do not have such delights as Nandos in our neck of the wood Mrs R 

We do not have such delights as Nandos in our neck of the wood Mrs R 

Ah, I see the nearest one to you is in Aberdeen!

We do not have such delights as Nandos in our neck of the wood Mrs R 

The nearest Nando's to me is an hour away, so I don't get to partake often at all...So far it's only been once in a years worth of time....But if you ever do go, I still say the Chicken wings rock! 

I've never been to one and I just checked to see that our nearest one is in Plymouth, about two hours away. I wouldn't be averse to trying it someday, but I'm quite glad to live somewhere without a proliferation of fast food chains, to be honest.

I've never been to one and I just checked to see that our nearest one is in Plymouth, about two hours away. I wouldn't be averse to trying it someday, but I'm quite glad to live somewhere without a proliferation of fast food chains, to be honest.

Yeah, I see not having one an IA/UP - but we have too many other chains of absolute rubbish, so whilst I have never been to a Nandos, I enjoy the sauces you can buy, and everyone always raves about it, so it sounds like its better to have than another crap kind. 

Free soft drink refills & spicy chicken!!  

It's a lot better/healthier than the usual run-of-the-mill franchises (McDoh's etc) & not super-fast...you order at the counter & they bring it to your table.  Normally takes about 10-20 minutes to get your order - it's prepared fresh to order!

It's a lot better/healthier than the usual run-of-the-mill franchises (McDoh's etc) & not super-fast...you order at the counter & they bring it to your table.  Normally takes about 10-20 minutes to get your order - it's prepared fresh to order!

That doesn't sound so bad. And I may try one someday. But I still prefer non-chains.

May I suggest you get educate yourself a bit further on America before you bother visiting?

Sorry you appear to have been inadvertently offended by my remarks - unless this is some sort of exceptionally clever double-bluff to catch me out, and you are actually being sarcastic?! (That would be quite brilliant in a real life conversation!?)

I actually was just being stereotypically English (entirely too impressed with my own wit).

I tried to make my comments an obvious satire on how many English people view the states by referring to 'other such bigotry'.

Anyway, note to self, make the obvious British humour more obvious... I am spending Saturday with an American couple who I have never met (friends of parents who are here for the first time on holiday). Must remember to apply this principle.

That's an easy one.

In the UK most people drive a manual shift not automatic. So generally you will have the handbrake on and be in neutral at the lights. The red/amber combination is a "get ready", so you engage gear and get ready to move off. A straight red to green would just catch people out - I find it strange in the US as it's more like a race start but it works because you are just sat with your foot on the brake.

When visiting my fiance this blew my mind! I was like "your traffic lights!....huh?!..." and then realized why. All he had to say was "what? you don't have red/yellow lights in America?" and then he laughed at my shocked face

You've never been to Nandos?!  It's supposedly Portuguese though - sorry! 

http://www.nandos.co.uk/

First time I encountered Nandos was in the late 90's  in London. Having been to the pub one evening I fancied something to eat and there was a Nando's, but back then it was just a small takeaway shop not a restaurant, and I had a chicken breast in pitta bread....I was blown away by this fairly healthy yet really tasty takeaway. I wrote to the company to ask them to expand around the country!

You've never been to Nandos?!  It's supposedly Portuguese though - sorry! 

http://www.nandos.co.uk/

Originating in South Africa, oddly enough. Theyre now in Northern VA/DC area and parts of Canada as well....

Originating in South Africa, oddly enough. Theyre now in Northern VA/DC area and parts of Canada as well....

Yes!  I was shocked to discover there are 2 within 10 miles of my house.   

Hey All,

I've been a bit busy but thanks for all of the people who gave me a bit of encouragement in private or in this thread.

I really don't want to start the reiteration of my questions in the OP but thanks for everyones reply.

I got enough private feedback to make me think I should definitely hang around and hope nobody took anything I said personally cause it was never meant to be.

Now that the thread has gone to Nandos I have to know is it Mexican or latin american?  I've seen them around but not been sure what they are. 

Thanks everyone again!  I'll be posting around here and there .

-Sig