9 Weird British Things To TRY

I’m taking a break from talking about food to talk about non-food “things” in Britain that I would recommend trying. Some are objects, some are habits or customs. All of these are not necessarily “weird”… just different from how things are done in the US. Brits do some things better! But not everything… just wait until next week’s video! :)
Please give this video a thumbs up and share your thoughts on recommendations!
To see my recommendations on Weird British Foods to TRY: • Weird British Foods Yo...
And for suggestions on Weird British Foods to AVOID: • Weird British Foods Yo...
To watch my Tea Making video: • How to Make a British ...
Link to buy the cute egg timer (USA): amzn.to/3jIP7kc
Link to buy the cute egg timer (UK): amzn.to/3hQY3lJ
Link to buy the kettle I love (USA): amzn.to/31ssNmc
Link to buy the kettle I love (UK): amzn.to/2RYQjUJ
Link to buy cute butter dishes (USA): amzn.to/3g5SBuY
Link to buy cute butter dishes (UK): amzn.to/39xKS6k
#weirdbritishthings #uniquebritishthings #crazybritishthings

[@lorrainequinn]

What a great video Dara!!! Twinings English breakfast makes everything better. That's actually my blood group, Tea positive 😁 Love that you like tea towels & tea cosies too. I used to like pretending that i worked for the bomb disposal unit...I'd set the microwave for 1 minute, put a tea cosy on my head, put oven gloves on both hands, then crawl on the floor commando style to the microwave, then just on the last few seconds i'd put the microwave off, i'd saved the day 😂 Don't knock it until you try it, it's hilarious!!! P.s I swear i'm not crazy 🤪

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh I REALLY want to see a re-enactment of that!!!😂😂😂. I hadn’t heard that one before - Tea positive! LOL

[@lorrainequinn]

@@MagentaOtterTravels 😂 I know i sound like a crazy person but it's so funny doing it. Colin's even gave it a go, sadly he didn't save the world that day 😬

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Lorraine Quinn well, tell Colin I still think he’s a super hero 🦸‍♂️

[@rickb.4168]

That’s insane and beautiful at the same time. Xxx

[@ajfr1n9e51]

That's just brilliant, I'm trying that right now hahahaha

[@MsPaulathomas]

Americans have therapists, Brits have neighbours with kettles!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Well said! haha

[@jamespasifull]

What's the difference between a soldier, & a fireman? You can't dip a fireman in your egg! 🤣

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

🤣🤣🤣

[@chriscarter2101]

The other frequent use of Tea towels in the UK is as an extemporized shepherd's head dress for kids in school nativity plays!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh yes, same here! Dish towels on the shepherds' heads and the crowns from Christmas Crackers for the wise men! That was our costuming in our favourite at home nativity plays on Christmas Eve. Great memories!

[@juliamaitland7160]

Yes very true!!

[@andrewgarner2224]

Socially putting the kettle on is a British way of saying I have time for you whether it is a problem or happiness you are sharing.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yeah, I love that.

[@pspence9569]

An American friend of mine used my eggcups as candle holders while I was out. I was less than impressed.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh no! That is NOT cool! Getting melted wax out of things is not easy! I apologise for my countrymen.

[@anthonymolloy9953]

If it kinda works , you are saying it nearly works

[@willscott4785]

😂 That made me laugh. Sorry.

[@countesscable]

😱 Herbal Tea is an anathema to us Brits. A cuppa to describe a cup of Indian black tea, with milk, with or without sugar.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I understand... but I don't drink coffee or regular tea at all... so herbal is my only option for tea ;-)

[@nilocnolnah6788]

Herbal Tea. That is stand out American.

[@willscott4785]

My English wife (of blessed memory) always had a cupboard full of herbal teas. She rarely drank the black stuff. Our daughter is the same.

[@countesscable]

@@willscott4785yes it is drunk, but not enough to be a ‘British’ thing 🙂

[@mysticalmaid]

This Brit and my family enjoy herbal teas and coffee in addition to Earl grey.

[@potdog1000]

i overheard an American woman ask a shop assistant it tea pots were microwave friendly, the contempt on the assistants face was palpable lol

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

john e Lawler WHAT?!?! For the love!!!!! Months before a certain someone made a video about microwaving tea, I did a video on this channel about my pet peeve of Americans microwaving tea. Have you seen it? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3K8qIWJd5l4gJo

[@lynnejamieson2063]

I must confess that I have put my teapot in the microwave but I promise that it has only been done to ‘hot the pot’ as my Granny used to say, so before there is anything in it.

[@potdog1000]

@@lynnejamieson2063 acceptable (just) lol

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Lynne Jamieson that is a cute saying 😊... I forgive you, LOL! 🤣

[@lynnejamieson2063]

john e Lawler yeah, I should really buy a bigger kettle, so that there is always enough hot water to both hot the pot and fill the teapot. Haha

[@LB-my1ej]

I’ve been using Comfrey (knit bone) to help a broken wrist and it does work. I forage the hedgerows and make my own medications as I was taught by my mother. Nettle tea is lovely and it grows everywhere.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, I often think about how the Native Americans used all kinds of roots and plants to treat illnesses and were probably much healthier than we are these days!

[@petersymonds4975]

In the pre-Amazon days when I was much younger every house had an egg-timer usually a souvenir from a holiday. It was a double-ended glass tube made narrow in the middle and half filled with sand mounted on an ornament, for example the Eiffel Tower. When the tube was stood on end it took 4 minutes to empty, then your egg was cooked. You turned it around for the next one. Later a similar version with a rubber sucker was made when we had water shortages. To be patriotic you had a 4 minute shower!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Peter Symonds OK, that four minute shower comment is hilarious!😂 I’m familiar with the egg timers you’re talking about, but honestly you really only see them in the US as part of board games😉

[@dawnbaker8494]

There definitely is such a thing as an egg spoon. I own some and they are sold as such. They are smaller than a teaspoon as the lady said, and fit into the egg better.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you! Teaspoons are a bit on the small side, but egg spoons seem really tiny!

[@enkisdaughter4795]

I’ve got one of my late mother’s Apostle spoons, which Dad bought for her when they were first married. It’s tiny!

[@jooliaspoolia1951]

Lovely to see your videos about here in the UK 🇬🇧 and I love to see things that remind me of all my travels in the USA 🇺🇸. Well presented and informative for both Americans & British.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Why thank you so much! I do make a few mistakes along the way, but I'm learning. Having this KZbin channel for four years and hearing from so many people around the world has been very educational! Cheers! Dara

[@MissAnglophilia]

Nice video! You'd find butter dishes and egg cups in many German households, too - so maybe a European thing? I was quite surprised to hear that these are not common in the USA! I like the way the British apologise and especially the word "cheers".

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, I agree that the butter dishes and egg cups are not uniquely British. But they aren't common in the US... especially the tiny butter dishes!

[@craigflower13]

Acetaminophen and Paracetamol are the same drug. The US and Japan are the only two countries that use the former name, but both are based on its full name, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol. Paracetamol is the recommended international non propriety name.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I am embarrassed about the errors I made in this video! I was relying on things people had told me, some of which was not correct! I had a former colleague from Britain who was living in the states, and she insisted that paracetamol worked much better than acetaminophen, so she always brought it back from England when she went to visit! Lol

[@mysticalmaid]

The difference could be in the strength of the tablet. You can different strengths of the paracetamol.

[@johnsbone]

a cup of tea is calming.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That is why on every British show when someone gets bad news, their friend or family member offers to "put the kettle on" ;-)

[@krisjonesuk]

Paracetamol and acetaminophen are one and the same drug, though I’m not sure why they have different names. About 20 years ago Advil tried to launch in the UK. They had a TV ad showing a British air hostess telling the audience she was glad her preferred painkiller was now available in the UK. Of course, Advil is just a brand name for ibuprofen, which was actually developed by Boots in Northampton.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, sorry about that. I was given some bad information and didn't realise that acetaminophen and paracetamol were the same thing when I filmed this video! Oops!

[@ians3586]

I'd like to thank my director for this opportunity and I won't forget you when I'm receiving that that gold statuette.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

LOL!

[@chrisbodum3621]

Eggcellent decapitation. Not sure the egg white was quite done, sorry. I follow Heston Blumenthal's method of bringing the eggs to the boil and cooking for three minutes, then taking off the heat and leaving in the water for a further three minutes. And it has always been pefect. In Nottingham in the UK, most of us 'mash' a pot of tea rather than brew a post of tea, sorry. And Beeston, Nottingham is the home of Boots. XXX

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@chrisbodum3621 Yes, the egg was a bit underdone and the toast was a bit burnt. That's what happens when you are more focused on filming than eating! Ugh! I love Boots! I even have my own Boots card!! I didn't know about "mashing" a pot of tea... but excellent job apologising, Chris!!! :-) You need to apologise for the XXX! LOL

[@ians3586]

@@chrisbodum3621 good point. The egg wasn't cooked enough. The second one that had had more of a chance to sit was perfect.

[@philharper20]

@@chrisbodum3621 The time to come to the boil is an uncontrolled variable - It's more reliable to use a method that times from the eggs going in the boiling water

[@tracyglasgow5571]

I really loved this video Dara! It was an interesting British tutorial. The Arnica sounds like something worth trying. I have a soft spot for my collection of tea towels which we use many times a week! Brett worked at a 5-star hotel in his early 20's in CO that used those same egg cups & little spoons. The hotel bought a pub in England, dismantled it, shipped it, and reassembled it inside the hotel. I would love to try soft boiled eggs sometime, but I worry about getting egg shells in my food. The little butter dishes are adorable. Thanks for sharing.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, Arnica is worth trying. I used it a lot on head bumps when my kiddos were little! I'm so glad that you get to use your tea towels regularly and ponder how much you love them... and me!❤ I am definitely going to make a tea towel video. You'll have to be one of the 4 people who watches it!!! LOL😂 That is so cool that Brett worked in a hotel that had an entire vintage pub assembled in it! And I'm not surprised they had egg cups. I think they are just for posh places here in the States. Just like the butter dishes ;-) And yes... egg shells in your soft boiled eggs are a definite risk! haha! Thanks for watching!!

[@nilocnolnah6788]

I glad you’re not buttering my toast

[@Purduegal]

I love tea towels! Will often buy as souvenirs because they’re easy to pack & provide good memories. Bought one from the Lake District Trust last year that has a “cartoon map” of the district

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Purduegal Yes! I agree! I love tea towels with maps of the area, and drawings of castles as well!❤️

[@lesleyhawes6895]

I used to collect t-towels, as souvenirs when they were mostly made of linen. Now they are more frequently cotton, not quite so good for drying!

[@ExploringEngland]

Another great video! Speaking of "putting the kettle on" and British TV shows. Have you watched any British Soap Operas? If so, which one is your favourite? Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Exploring England I try to avoid watching soap operas! LOL! I am much more of a mystery or detective show kind of person. Although, my favorite show that I’ve ever seen on British television is one that I can’t find a way to watch from the US... “The secret life of four-year-olds”. The most authentically fascinating and hilarious show I’ve ever seen!

[@captainspiderbat]

Loved your video!! When I had my last vein surgery, my doctor recommended taking Arnica to help with any bruising. I think it did help! I didn't realize that it came in a gel. Good to know. In the town where Isaac goes to school, they just converted one of the main thoroughfares to round-abouts. It was hard to get used to it, but traffic does flow so much better.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Janetta Zeimetz yeah the gel is great! Your doctor was cool to reco Arnica! I’m glad the people in Isaac’s neighbourhood have learnt to drive around roundabouts!

[@tovemagnussen4423]

I am norwegian, and drinks tea (Twinings Earl or Lady Grey are my fave ones!) every day, so my electric kettle is one of my essentials. And got a teapot made of glass (1,5 liters), had to make a tea-cozy to cover the entire teapot. Made it double-insolated, and reversal. Bowl-cozies too, in use every day. Also got a toast-rack, not common outside of UK. Butter-dish, yep, got that too, but a bit larger than yours... 😊

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That's so great! I love that you have adopted all those favourite things! Do you live in Norway? My butter dishes are too small... rather impractical, but I still love them ;-) Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara

[@tovemagnussen4423]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Yep, live in Trondheim, for the 3rd time, moved back last year, since both my kids and grandkids live here. When I was young (in my 20's), an english lady teached my about tea and making it the proper way... heating the pot up first and how much tea-leaves to use, yep, she made it like a seremony... 😊❤ I am the rebel in my family, since I love to travel, and try other cultural 'stuff'... So not only english, but also japanese food and drinks... My old job, was as a radio-officer, so travelling was a given. 😊

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@tovemagnussen4423 that's an interesting career! Nice to meet you!

[@tovemagnussen4423]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Yep, but nowadays, just being a grandma, cooking and baking. Also had 3 years in the navy, and a turn as a UN-soldier in Lebanon, also as a radio-operator... (could not call myself as a radio-OFFICER in the military... 🤣, which I was in the merchant fleet) Just love being a young (62 yrs) retireé and do whatever I feel like... 😁🌻

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@tovemagnussen4423 yes, that is a great blessing! I'm 59 and have a lot of flexibility as well. No grandchildren yet, but I hope to get some one day 🙏

[@MrGyges]

Have you been to the Isle of Wight yet? Lots to see there, including Carisbrooke Castle, where Charles 1st was captured, and Cowes, Sandown, and Shanklin etc. Worth a visit

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

No, we haven't been yet. But I would love to go!

[@jacketrussell]

A cuppa cures all the worlds problems. It's a well known fact.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I am chuffed to report that I got a real teapot for Christmas. I have now been making proper looseleaf tea. I feel so legit💕

[@ChikellyBeauty]

I love those tea towels. Now I know how to boil those soft eggs.always wondered how. Thanks for sharing

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for watching and commenting, dear! I am a big tea towel fan ❤! Do you have plans to go back to Britain?

[@Traveler_Greg]

Very interesting vlog. Greetings and thanks for sharing. Have a happy new week. 👍

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you! You too!

[@susanriddle8114]

Another wonderful video Dara! I do love tea towels too but I actually only use them to dry my hands. Some are so pretty that I hate to use them - I don't want to get them dirty!LOL Also, I'm so glad you didn't get in an accident when you came to visit me and took the roundabout in the wrong direction!! I remember that day!! :)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Susan Riddle yes I learned an important lesson in your neighbourhood !!!

[@_IsamarRodriguez]

Love how you opened up your video! ✨

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks! You have wonderful energy! And... we are both Texans! :-)

[@wittytui]

These are really interesting. Thanks so much for sharing

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for watching! Do they say "cheers" in New Zealand?

[@wittytui]

Magenta Otter Travels yes! all the time 😁

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Witty Tui’s Chinese plant-based kitchen love it! 💗

[@rachelpenny5165]

Comfrey ointment is also good on sprains. Its old fashioned name is bone set. It is very good to help heal broken bones, though I use this and arnica cream on a bad ankle sprain. Yes I am from the UK and been interested in herbal medicine for years.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

rachel penny comfrey sounds like another herbal remedy. That’s great! I love the name too... sounds like “comfy”!😉

[@britainonabudget]

Ahhhhhhh! I love your tea towels!!! Tea towel video! Tea towel video!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

THANK YOU!!! Hahaha... I think I must make a tea towel video! Because you are one of my favourite special KZbin friends... I'm going to send you a tea towel this winter! I'll send you an IG message.

[@britainonabudget]

Magenta Otter Travels Awww! I feel so special! You’re one of my very favourite KZbin friends, too!

[@philllewellyn6464]

A brit here. Carrying on the tea subject, when someone has been in in accident, heard bad news or another type of shock , we give people hot strong tea with lots of sugar ( 2-3 tea spoons) - it always makes you feel better🙂.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, absolutely! Ian had a real estate deal fall through yesterday... so we put the kettle on ;-)

[@BillySugger1965]

Arnica gel is *_not_* a homeopathic remedy, it’s an amazingly effective First Aid treatment for _minor_ burns. I’ve used it for years and it’s very effective. It not only instantly cooling, which helps reduce further injury from the burn, but it is hydrating and dries to leave a protective film which reduces pain, avoids drying out and reduces the risk from infection. When flying into the US and we foreigners have to fill out immigration paperwork the USG insists on dd/mm/yyyy format. That’s fine for us, but it must be _really_ confusing for any Americans. I’m sure it can’t just be immigration forms.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I made a mistake, sorry! Thanks for explaining about arnica and discussing its efficacy! Cheers! Dara

[@gordoncampbell3514]

Arnicare does not heal bumps or bruises, it is the rubbing action that helps not the cream, so use any old cream just rub vigorously. very few Dr's will use or promote homeopathy. The date thing is really easy, it is small, medium, large.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Small, medium, and large... I like that! Interesting perspective. Yes, I know homeopathy and herbal remedies are quite controversial. But thanks so much for watching and commenting, Mr. Campbell!

[@travelandamericanlifewithb3134]

Here in Michigan traffic circles are getting common now.great informative video. I really enjoyed

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

They can be useful, as long as people know how to drive around them safely!!

[@travelandamericanlifewithb3134]

@@MagentaOtterTravels yes i agree with you

[@paulroyal1523]

Hi Dara, I love your video's always great to watch. I was just going to put out to you a bit of information about right/left hand driving. I dont know the origins of why the US adopted the right hand lane method, but I assume it came from the European influence. The left hand side was adopted in the UK as most people are right-handed, when peoples only mode of quick transport were horses and going into battle meant you needed your strongest arm to be the one which held the sword, thus the left hand side of the road was used to train the armies that went into battle. In Europe ,Napoleon was one of the main leaders who was trying to conquer at the time and he was notably left-handed so all his armies were un-naturally trained in left hand combat which meant most European countries became more accustomed to right hand riding/driving. Hope this is useful. x

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I did not know that about Napoleon. That's fascinating! I knew about the sword thing, as well as jousting. I also think about that every time I walk up a castle's medieval stone staircase that winds around ... I think about knights going up it with swords in their hands!

[@rickb3645]

Hi Dara, a tip i heard many years ago, regarding safe driving for visitors to the UK. Was for visitors to place a day-glow green sticker, on the left hand side of the cars dashboard. You see the green sticker stuck on the left hand side, then that's the side of the road you're supposed to drive on. You could also place a small thin elastic band vertically down the centre of the rear view mirror. The elastic band represents the centre of the road, simply place another small day-glow green sticker in the left hand corner of the rear view mirror. This will constantly remind you to drive on the left, every time you look in the mirror. The same thing can be done by British visitors to the U.S. But obviously done in reverse. You can pick up these types of stickers, from any Post Office here in the UK. Cheers Dara.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for the comment, Rick! These are great suggestions! My mum in law always used to say to me on my first trip over, whilst I was attempting to drive properly "just remember, passenger-pavement!". This was funny to me... because in the US "pavement" is the tarmac you are driving on! The thing Brits call "pavement" we call "sidewalk" ;-) LOL! The stickers would have been a better idea!

[@willscott4785]

UK OTC meds are far more effective than their American equivalents for some odd reason (in our experience). You missed out Calpol, though. Great for coughs and for sedating your kids on transatlantic flights. Also, 'Cheers' never means 'Hi' or 'Goodbye' in England that I've ever heard. Just 'Thanks'. But I lived there for only ~35 years. I was impressed with your use of 'straightaway' at the beginning of this vid, though. You obviously didn't have to think about it. 😊

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You are right, Cheers is never "hi". It sometimes is said as people are leaving, which is why I confused it with "goodbye" but it really still means "thanks". I was still assimilating when I filmed this video. Since then I've lived in Britain for three summers so I have learnt a lot! ;-) Thanks for your comment! Dara

[@robfenwitch7403]

I've been round a roundabout the wrong way and it was terrifying! This was also when we discovered the chap giving us a lift was drunk...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh no! Not good at all😬

[@lizbignell7813]

I haven’t seen them for years but they certainly exist. I remember making them in school sewing classes.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Apparently tea cosies are not common any longer either... a few twee kitchen items of the past ;-)

[@kageypg]

As a 75 yr old Brit I can confidently say that it is extremely unlikely that ANY medical General Practitioner would EVER prescribe a homeopathic “remedy” as such stuff is generally scorned and joked about in the UK.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I know, I misspoke! Sorry about that! I was referring more to herbal remedies like Arnica, which are a different thing entirely

[@elainemoon2024]

After slicing through the egg top many times as a kid at my Grammies house, I think I have an aversion/phobia to eating little bits of eggshell, so now I just shell the whole soft-boiled egg. No, the Brit experience is not the same (I miss my leeetle spoon/egg cup), but no more shell-crunch-in-my-teeth fears! I WILL borrow Ian's salt/pepper dip tip. And YESSS...every community needs dozens more roundabouts!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Elaine! To be honest, I don't like eating soft-boiled eggs... I always just let Ian and the boys eat them. I prefer my yolks solid not runny. And the eggshell thing is a challenge!! Ian is very good at roundabouts. :-)

[@rickb3645]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Here you go Dara, this might come in handy for Ian and the boys. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipLRZoyljLl8p5Y www.amazon.com/Epar%C3%A9-Egg-Cracker-Topper-Set/dp/B00NX5UFQS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Epar%C3%A9+Egg+Topper+Set&qid=1596225903&sr=8-1

[@tonyeden2944]

Coffee shops or "houses" stared in London in the mid 1600s leading to the creation of Lloyds insurance brokers. Yes we do drink tea but also gallons (Imperial not US gallons) of coffee, instant, beans, ground. Electric kettles now have settings for coffee (c90 degrees), herbal or ordinary tea (100 degrees) etc. And are ready in about a minute though in USA it will take far longer.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes and it seems more Britons drink instant coffee than Americans do. Most American households have a coffee maker in the kitchen , but not an electric kettle

[@bobbyxhilone9224]

I am totally craving a soft-boiled egg now, Dara. Thank you for Ian's very professional demonstration!! Also, I was interested to hear about your left-side, right-side driving experiences -- not that I have had to do it myself. But I have always wondered how you don't get terribly confused, going from one country to another and having to remember which side you should be on; your concentration abilities must be very good! And then I do have a question: does the word "ta" also mean the same thing as "cheers" sometimes? Or is "ta" just for "thank you"? And is it more of a slang expression than "cheers" is? Once again, thank you for making my Friday mornings such fun!!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank YOU for your comments, Bobby! Ian was very cooperative to let me film his demonstration! Ian has a superpower... when he speaks with his mother, he automatically switches to British vocabulary. And when he drives in the UK, he remembers how to do all the British driving things. Although, I do remind him "stay left" at tricky junctions ;-) I think "ta" is mostly for Thank you, but is probably more of a local custom. I'm not sure Londoners say that as much.

[@dragonmac1234]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Ta is an abbreviation of thanks or thank you, and as far as I'm aware is more of a Southern thing, I grew up in the counties around London and I remember ta being used a lot as thanks. One of my friends has lived in Portugal for more than a decade and has adapted to driving on the right side of the road. He does have to take a few minutes to readjust his brain (so to speak) when he drives back here though :P

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Mark Caswell Thanks for chiming in about Ta! It must be fairly universal. I know it’s definitely a northern thing. Yes, lots of brain adjusting is required when driving on the other side. It’s TOO hard with manual transmission though!

[@dragonmac1234]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I've only heard ta in the south, but to be fair that's where I've lived most of my life. I am very interested in the differences (and similarities) between the UK and US cultures. That's why I watch your channel and The Wandering Ravens. I would like to visit the US one day.

[@jillhobson6128]

@@dragonmac1234 Ta is definitely used in the north

[@malcolmnicholls2893]

As a Brit, when in France I have to drive on the wrong side of the road. The roundabout approach is set out so that one naturally goes to the right.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I can say from personal experience it's not advisable to go around a roundabout the wrong way 😬

[@mickohara9138]

Just watched that. Glad you enjoy beans on toast. There's a nice variant on the standard (yeah, you're right, heinz is the king, if you can find it over the pond). Anyhow, try draining some of the liquid off, and warm the rest gently in the pan as normal, add a little real butter, don't go overboard, use the best butter you've got to hand, and a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce, have the toast the way you like it and add whatever cheese you enjoy. It takes four minutes. Beans on toast with a poached egg on top is another winner. (haha, I'm not secretly working for Heinz). Happy baked beans on toast to you.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

MICK O'hara I love the detailed description! Another viewer mentioned putting an egg on top of beans on toast. I think he called it “survivors on a raft under the sun”! 😂 Thanks for the comment! I hope you subscribe and stick around a while. The Magenta Otter Tribe needs you!

[@mickohara9138]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Yeah it's a nice gentle channel in world far too full of shouting.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

MICK O'hara thanks so much! I try to provide some entertainment and distraction in this crazy world! 🤪

[@mysticalmaid]

Mix a tin of prime corned beef into your beans while cooking, once it melts in, its ready to pour over your mashed potato, pop a fried egg on top and enjoy. 😋

[@RichardWells1]

Good heavens! How can you make proper tea without a proper teapot...! Perish the thought! 😁

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I am a minimalist! So I guess I am stuck with making improper tea 🫖😂

[@lesleyhawes6895]

It's funny, it's nearly always men who make comments about using tea pots, but it was generally men who were fastest to adopt tea bags in the cup method for making a cuppa first!

[@RichardWells1]

@@lesleyhawes6895 Ah... now that depends on which men were discerning enough in their choice to eschew the tea bag! 😜

[@Georgestella100]

Driving on the left is an historical thing. Back in olden days horse rider would pass one another on the left hand side. This enabled them to draw their sword and defend themselves should the other person attack them (sword fighting was taught using the right hand).. Passing on the right would mean having to fight across your horse, so if a person tried to pass you on the 'wrong' side it may mean trouble (whilst drawing a sword the left side of your body and chest are open to a dagger attack)! Modern America never really used swords in the same way.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

George Davie thanks very much for adding in the historical perspective! That is very interesting! I just wish that when cars were invented in the US and we started making roads here, that we had used a consistent approach. Do you know why on the continent they drive on the right instead of left?

[@Georgestella100]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Napoleon! he was left handed and many think that because of this he felt more comfortable on the right hand side of the road. In Europe different countries historically had their own rules. However, Napoleon conquered most of Europe. The Swedes only swapped to driving on the right hand side in 1967.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

George Davie Wow, that is fascinating...And a little bit crazy!🤪

[@travelandamericanlifewithb3134]

Cheers is my favorite

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

It's a friendly word that means lots of thing :-)

[@travelandamericanlifewithb3134]

@@MagentaOtterTravels yes alot of peopl use in commonwealth countries

[@FunandBudget]

Oh wow...thanks for this lesson...I never called a tea towel a tea towel - had no idea why a tea cozy was needed and ahhh the egg cup. Good stuff.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

The tea towel is the thin, non-fuzzy kind of dish towel. I think I'll get a bunch of tea towels on my next trip to Britain and do a video all about them when I get home! Probably only 4 people will watch it... but at least I'll have fun filming it! LOL

[@FunandBudget]

@@MagentaOtterTravels lol...I'll watch

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Fun and Budget with Tinesha Davis Thanks friend!😘

[@lizbignell7813]

Just to add to the confusion, we also have egg cosies which you put over the boiled egg in the egg cup.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Liz Bignell no way!!! I haven’t heard of egg cosies!! That’s amazing! 💗

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for stopping by to hear my thoughts on things that are DIFFERENT (not necessarily "weird") in a good way! Be sure to check out "weird" foods that get my 👍 as well, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/infOlYRjmq51a9U

[@robertlangley1664]

If we say sorry sometimes we don’t mean it,but please and thank you is a must if you been brought up properly and I hope I have been brought up properly so thank you for your videos

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! It's true that there are so many different ways to say "sorry". Not all of them are actually an apology lol!

[@oz25]

No idea you had your own channel. Think we must watch a lot of the same videos as keep seeing your comments. Having a deja vu moment that we have had an "egg-change" on egg cups/soldiers in the past! "Egg spoons" made me laugh, I've always thought of them as/used "tea spoons" for boiled eggs. Loved the egg demo by the way. When watching American films, I have noted that USA eggs often seem to be white when in the UK they are usually light brown. Every house hold in the UK will have at least one tourist tea towel! Love the channel by the way and will be dipping in again. Oh, nearly forgot.....xxxxxxx

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oz thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you subscribe and stick around a while💕. Yes, I felt I had to do a video about soft boiled eggs! I heard the comment come up a few times on other channels, and then I did a survey on my personal Facebook page. I asked my 1200 friends if they ate soft boiled eggs growing up. It was the most comments I’ve ever had on a post! LOL! Over 100 people answered, and almost all of the Americans were unfamiliar with egg cups and many did not even know what soft boiled eggs were!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

The only thing you missed at the end of your comment was saying “SORRY, I almost forgot the xxxxxx”! 😂

[@oz25]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Sorry! (LOL). Yes, I have subscribed and will be viewing more of your videos. xxxxx

[@chrisharrell2449]

I really like your egg timer. I must see if I can find one of those. but Just hold on there, your buttered toast had Nowhere near enough butter on it. About two thirds of that toast didn't have any on it. To call those soldiers was pushing it a bit. much too wide. slices . Still, very tasty. Have you heard of a butter croc? this is a device. that the butter is put into. that allows you not to need to put the butter in a fridge. It's a bit difficult to describe. but it's almost like putting the butter into a lid. and then putting the lid into water. to seal it and the water keeps it cool enough. and stops the butter oxidising. for many, many days. I've only just discovered them. and I love mine. cause keeping butter in a fridge is just a nightmare to spread. I think these are. also. called a French Crock. I got mine off Amazon UK.and love it.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes the toast was a disgrace. And the egg was undercooked ... I made this video years ago, but I still remember that the filming was really rushed and we did not do the food properly! I'm getting one of those butter dishes from Santa this Christmas! 🎅🏻

[@redf7209]

Not the way i was brought up to eat boiled eggs. Soon as you remove enough yolk from the egg to make space you replace/top up with a knob of butter and a bit of salt and use a spoon or knife to mix the molten butter with the remaining yolk, then proceed with soldiers, (which are narrower than yours to fit in the egg). I don't personally use pepper or put salt and pepper on the plate but i sometimes salt the toast and use a bit of cayenne dusting. Salt may be superfluous if you have strongly salted butter.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Wow, that is fascinating! I've never heard of that process, but it sounds delicious! Thanks for watching my video and taking time to leave this interesting comment. Cheers! XX Dara

[@TheStephensonGrechFamily]

paracetamol is good, def helps with pain they also do a kids version called calpol. i couldn't function without my tea in the morning. have to admit i love my tea towels.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

The Stephenson Grech Family thanks so much for watching and commenting! Yes, I am quite fond of my tea towels as well!❤️. Hopefully you will still like me after you see today’s video...It comes out in four hours😬

[@philipdouglas5911]

Paracetamol and Tylenol are the same thing. The American market uses the longer name and it is true for many medication that they have different names either side of the Atlantic

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I know, it's embarrassing that I made that dumb mistake! I was going off bad information...

[@philipcochran1972]

Yes, i use the 'family history' type e of date too, otherwise it can get confusing when you have a dates such a 8 / 9 / 20. Is that the 9th of August or the 8th of September and, is that 1920 or 2020. If you're going to write the date you might as well make it clear.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for weighing in. It's nice to have someone agree with me occasionally :-) Honestly, if you just write it 26 August 2020 nobody can possibly be confused!

[@kieronimo1]

The main reasons that Americans don't use electric kettles is because their power supply is less powerful and it takes ages for their kettles to boil.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

So I have actually spent FAR too much time thinking about kettles. LOL! Last winter I made a video about tea because I wanted to shame Americans into NOT using the microwave and trying a kettle instead. I think that our electric kettles still heat water faster than the microwave or the stovetop (I did a timed experiment in the video!). But certainly British kettles are much faster!!! Here is that silly video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3K8qIWJd5l4gJo

[@victorhbagnelle4551]

try some South African tea called Rooibos. Or Red Bush.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Ian lived for 2 years in South Africa and learnt to love Rooibos tea then. Right now we have been drinking a lovely herbal tea from Trader Joes here in the states - Blood Orange Rooibos. It's delicious!

[@CollectiveWest1]

So in the UK, being called 'weird' is a compliment. Arnica cream is very useful - used to use it on bruises sustained in skiing. A nice tea towel is one of life's small pleasures. How one eats a boiled egg is important - remember Swift's satirical tale of the war between the little enders and big enders. Ian's egg was far too runny for my taste. I work in the financial industry and people now say 'take care' to each other all the time. It's weird.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes that eggs was too runny and the toast was a mess... I recall we filmed that in a big hurry! Thanks for your comment! Dara

[@MadameMinima]

#1 these meds are very common in Luxembourg too (we call it Paracetamol too) and for Arnica even the same brand (Boiron - French-based brand) #2 the 1st thing I do when Philippe gets up in the morning is putting the kettle on the stove and yes we still have a kettle that goes on the stove # I got my mother several tea towels from Cornwall several years ago and she still has them, the tea cosies I skip #4 very common in Luxembourg, we use them every Sunday morning for our Sunday breakfast # 5 common in most hotels here, but not in private households #6 maybe I have British ancestors because I tend to apologise a lot too ( even for sneezing or coughing 🙄) # 7 here this would be unpolite to do so #8 YES day before month team here in Luxembourg #9 roundabouts are a normal thing here, but as we are driving on the right sight, we are also confused when travelling to the UK 😎 I am looking forward to the things you consider different in "worse" way 🥰

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for the very thorough recap, Patz! I'm interested to see all the similarities and differences to the EU. I am going to have a very POSH flat, where when you come to visit, I will give you your own butter dish and you will feel very pampered! ❤ So, ending a text with an X would be rude in Luxembourg?

[@MadameMinima]

@@MagentaOtterTravels yes, people here end their letters, emails or text messages with "a sentence" like "thank you and goodbye / yours sincerely / have a nice day...." but never just with a single letter. Isn't it weird how western cultures can be so different?

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Madame Minima yes indeed! And a good reminder that we all need to not take offence too easily, since we all do things so differently!!!

[@MrDeadhead1952]

Whilst 'homeopathic' medications are questionable, arnica based remedies which actually contain a medicinally effective amount of arnica do have an effective topical effect on arches and sprains.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, I made a mistake. I should NOT have called arnica homeopathic. It's more correctly referred to as an herbal remedy I believe.

[@mproyuclan]

The think I missed most when I moved to the US in 1990s was an electric kettle. I hated having to use a stove top kettle Eventually I found one in a cook shop at a price Surprised me the electric kettle wasn’t on your list 😂

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I guess it's because I don't think a kettle is "weird" anymore... even though most Americans don't have one in their house yet. I have bought countless kettles for friends and family and they always appreciate it... they are a necessity! Check out my recent "reverse culture shocks" video in which I discuss my experience with returning to the US and using my kettle ;-) Since you have lived in both places I'd be curious to hear your perspective on my "shocks" kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKKxiJiBapahZ6M

[@willscott4785]

My daughter bought an electric kettle here in the States but it takes twice as long to bring water to the boil as a UK kettle takes. I'm guessing it's down to the lower voltage electricity in America.

[@SirReginaldBlomfield1234]

Agree about roundabouts but for me in France, Nederland's etc. I have to think very hard about which direction other traffic is coming from, really makes my brain sweat though have driven in both for many years. Suppose I'm just an old numpty. PS Ian, I could still see the bread under the butter !! 😞😂 Cheers for now...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, roundabouts are tricky business if you drive them on the continent (or in the states) as well as Britain! I agree... that toast needed a LOT more butter! But we were in a hurry to film the egg bit, LOL! Good to hear from you, John!

[@jillhobson6128]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Roundabouts have clear traffic signals which way to turn.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Jill Hobson don’t you think there is a pretty big variety of types of roundabouts? From huge ones with their own traffic lights, to tiny little ones out in the country that don’t have any arrows at all? That’s been my experience. I’ve even heard about some big double roundabout in Swindon. I would be terrified to drive on that one!

[@jillhobson6128]

@@MagentaOtterTravels There are things called mini roundabouts where the same rules apply ie give way to the traffic on the right.

[@philipmason9537]

You said that you use tea towels to WASH dishes instead of DRYING the washed up dishes and cutlery. Regarding eggs you didn’t mention that Americans find it strange that the U.K. grocery stores don’t refrigerate eggs; eggs are just bought at room temperature. But, in fact, the US is practically the only country that washes eggs before distribution. This washing removes the Cuticle, a thin natural coating on the outside of the shell which leaves the egg more likely to get infected with bacteria and so the US demands that eggs are chilled. All other Western European countries display eggs unchilled in shops and supermarkets and they stay fresh for weeks. Similarly, Americans visiting Europe bemoan the fact that bread and other foods have a shorter shelf life than in the US but this is because European food laws ban the use of most preservatives whereas more of the American foods are full of nasty chemicals. Regarding roundabouts, apart from the U.K., Ireland, Malta & Cyprus, the rest of Europe drive on the right hand side so if you’re in, say, France or Italy negotiating the roundabouts shouldn’t be too difficult. I believe that in the US a large roundabout with traffic lights is called a traffic circle whereas without traffic lights it is just a roundabout.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hello Philip, thanks for watching and sharing such a great comment! Yes, you are right... I totally gave a confusing explanation about how I use tea towels! Actually, I use them neither in to wash nor dry. I put most of my dishes in the dishwasher, and then I spread a tea towel out on the counter and leave all the big hand wash items like knives and pots on the towel to air dry. Sorry if I implied I used the towel to actually WASH! haha That is very interesting about the eggs! Thanks for telling me. Sorry to leave that bit out. On my next trip to Britain I was planning to do a grocery store tour and discuss the eggs at room temperature... now I have valuable insight into why eggs are handled differently in the US! Most people I know in Britain who live in the countryside buy eggs direct from farms, which is lovely. And yes, American bread is full of nasty preservatives... which is why I grind my own wheat and make homemade bread. You saw that in my burnt toast in this video. Sorry I burnt my lovely bread! I actually have a separate video that shows how I make bread :-) I did see (after filming the video) that there is technically a different definition for "roundabout" vs "traffic circle" in the US. But I don't think that is widely understood. The whole concept is still pretty new in these parts! BTW, I did manage to work in the word "Sorry" at least three times in my reply. Yay!

[@kieronimo1]

The Brits usually use tea towels to dry dishes. We use dish-cloths or sponges to wash and then dry with a tea towel (if we don't have a dishwasher). Hardly anyone uses tea cosies anymore (or teapots). We usually make the tea in the cup.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

kieron halliday thanks for the info. I will definitely use this information when I eventually do my tea towel video! I understand that tea cosies might be a bit antiquated... but I am still quite fond of the concept❤️. Do you think that tea pots are typically reserved for serving tea to several people? Or maybe a time when someone wants to drink several cups of tea in a row?

[@kieronimo1]

@@MagentaOtterTravels We had them when I was a kid and they are quite cute. I remember running around with one on my head. We mainly drink breakfast tea in the UK. Many manufacturers make round bags that fit in cups. We usually add the boiling water, squeeze the bag out a bit, remove the bag and then add the milk. I can literally do it all very quickly and with my eyes closed. Most people don't have pots in their kitchens these days, but we do use them in cafes and restaurants. :)

[@mcallisterwill]

Could be wrong but I think the differences when it comes to writing dates are the same for speaking dates. I've heard Americans before say things like 'August 26' and 'January 5' but I don't think I've heard Americans say 'the 26th of August' or 'the 5th of January'.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I agree with you, but let me tell you what's super weird. We always say August 26th, but then when it comes to July 4th we ALWAYS say "The 4th of July". Isn't that hilarious that on INDEPENDENCE DAY from the Brits we say it the British way? LOL!

[@thatplace1]

Very British of you. Love it. Wow, I'm about to drive in UK (I'm from US) so this is a good tip. Cheers

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

How fun! Remind me where you are from? We just flew overnight from Dallas, and are in the midst of a long train journey to pick up our car and drive to Cheltenham. It will be Ian's first time driving in Britain since last year, and it will be the beginning of my five month hiatus from driving 🤣🤣 I'm anxious to hear what you think of British driving!

[@tobytroubs]

Soft boiling an egg , eggs in cold water in the sauce pan, bring to the boil, turn of the heat...leave for 31/2 minitues .Then splash with cold water to stop further cooking.........perfect everytime

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for the tips!

[@clivewilliams3661]

Think you have problems with US and UK roundabouts? When travelling by ferry from Dover to Ostend the first road obstacle that you used to encounter at the edge of the dock area was a roundabout and having just dealt with the roundabouts in Dover and then 3 hrs later after a sea trip and probably being stressed by the journey and customs etc checks the next thing was a roundabout that BTW had no direction signage was instantly perplexing. I watched various drivers on different occasions getting it all wrong.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yikes! That sounds very dangerous!!

[@Brillbrits]

Good stuff!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Brillbrits USA yes, that’s all the good stuff! Now I will get to make everyone mad next week when I say the bad stuff... 😬

[@marksummerson3966]

Just a point of note, A US traffic Circle is not a British Roundabout. A British Roundabout in the US is called a modern roundabout, a traffic circle gives right of way to traffic entering the roundabout, whilst a British (Modern Roundabout) gives right of way to traffic already on the roundabout. The British / Modern roundabout is much safer than a traffic circle and can handle much greater traffic volumes than a traffic circle. Love your vids keep 'em coming.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

WHAT?! I thought American roundabout/traffic circle thingy gives right of way to those already in the roundabout. That is the way I've been driving them here in Texas. I can't imagine giving way to drivers entering the roundabout... how does that even work???

[@marksummerson3966]

@MagentaOtterTravels Yes the ones in the US with the same rules as UK are called modern roundabouts quite different from the US traffic circle. There are plenty of KZbin videos that explain the differences.

[@malarkey2217]

Did you notice that there is braille on the Paracetamol box? On pretty much all medication boxes in UK.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

malarkey 22 That seems like a good idea, since the boxes are very similar sizes and shapes! In fact, I am currently battling a headache, and holding both a paracetamol box and an ibuprofen box in my hands. Both Boots brand. It is curious that the Braille for ibuprofen is on the front, but paracetamol it’s on the back! 🧐 Thanks for your comment!

[@Ravenswalk]

I’m 47 years in Canada like the US it month day year I still do day month year my daughter reminds me all the time Mum it’s month first.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I've started writing it this way 13 Dec 2023 no matter where I am. Just easier that way. But when I'm in the states filling out a form with just numbers... I have to really think!

[@tonywalton1464]

Paracetamol and acetaminophen are *exactly* the same thing. The chemical name is para-acetylaminophenol. In the UK we take the bits of the name that say "para-cet-am-ol" and in the States you take the bits that say "acet-amino-phen". Same stuff. "Tylenol" on the other hand is a trademark for a compound that may or may not be the pure medication (it may have added caffeine, for example, or added aspirin).

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for the comment @Tony Walton !

[@nilocnolnah6788]

Interesting comment Tony.

[@BeingYemiKing]

Gosh I've not seen a tea cosy for years!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Neither have I, but I think they are precious!

[@albertlugosi]

12:45 Except half the world where the year comes first, followed by the month, leaving the day of the month to the end.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for educating me! I didn't know about that!

[@mcallisterwill]

Interesting that you mention you're from Texas. When you said about putting a kettle on for a friend having a tough time I thought of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. He frequently comments that when someone is upset you offer them a hot beverage, so I thought maybe not just a British thing. Sheldon is from Texas though so maybe it's a Texas thing. However... one thing I'm left wondering... how do Americans boil water? I even lived in America briefly, but can't remember if our house had a kettle in it or not.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Will McAllister I shudder when telling you that most Americans heat their water in the microwave! That’s why I made my video last winter ranting about this and trying to convince people to use kettles! LOL 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3K8qIWJd5l4gJo I love Big Bang Theory AND Young Sheldon (Has Young Sheldon made it over to the UK yet? I know Big Bang Theory is on all the time!) What is very traditional in Texas is iced sweet tea. Boiling a kettle and offering someone hot tea is not typical at all in the US, and definitely not in Texas! As you know, the character of Sheldon is a very unique and unusual individual. I think that is part of his quirkiness. He does drink tea with his friends all the time, but that is not at all typically American. Thanks so much for your insightful comment and great questions!

[@jamesrussell7775]

Coming a bit late to party on this one, but I have only just stumbled across your site. (Sorry!) My understanding about the use of kettles in the USA was that because of the much lower voltage used in domestic homes, kettles take forever to boil, hence the use of the microwave. We always use a teapot, as this allows the tea to brew properly and develop its full flavour. I must confess to the mortal sin of using teabags rather than loose leaf tea. This is because after 4 or 5 minutes brewing, I can remove the teabags and avoid the tea stewing, especially under a tea cosy. Anyway, glad to have discovered your site. Both educational and interesting. Compliments of the season, James

[@FunandBudget]

Ahhhh...we always did do the butter dishes...it might be because we are from New England...I come from a long line of new englanders.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

There is a huge difference in New England traditions and places elsewhere in the States! Butter dishes (the tiny ones) are ADORABLE!

[@CallunaTrip]

Nice video. Sub+cheers from Poland

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks! I was happy to visit Poland via your channel. Cheers!

[@rayjennings3637]

You should leave the 'witch's cap' - the cut-off head of the egg, until last.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I love the names that you guys have for things! When a plastic bag is caught in a hedgerow, isn't it called witch's knickers?

[@rayjennings3637]

@@MagentaOtterTravelsI assume that to be true because I've heard the expression but not the context!

[@markhutton6055]

We drive on the left so we meet strangers with our sword arm more prominent. We can easily show we are unarmed and no threat. We can shake right hands to do the same thing. Those approaching on the right, greet with the left hand, the shield arm. Shaking left hands means that your right hand is free to stab the person in the back. This is why we drive in the left and the French drive on the right. Note: sarcasm and irony are forms of British humour. In case you couldn't tell.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I love British humour and I appreciate all of the knightly context!

[@MalcolmBarron]

I don't know anyone who uses the word 'cheers' other than occasionally before sipping a drink in the pub. It must be a south of England thing.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Very common round our part of England ;-)

[@Lilyofthevalley377]

Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancient Romans may have driven their carts and chariots on the left, and the practice seems to have carried over into parts of medieval Europe. The reasons for this are not entirely certain, but some believe it arose as a matter of safety. The majority of people are right handed, one theory goes, so driving or riding on the left would have allowed them to wield a weapon with their dominant hand if they crossed paths with an enemy.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Ah yes, I have heard that about the roads as well as the stone spiral staircases in medieval castles. I'm glad I don't have to run up those tiny winding staircases with a sword in my hand!!

[@sheilafielder1523]

Your in the UK try Yorkshire tea its the best

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Sorry to disappoint, but I don't drink tea or coffee! But if I were a tea drinker, I would def try Yorkshire! Instead, I focus on the Yorkshire Puddings! Please check out this fun video of the ones we made in Leeds with a friend: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp2thJyOlqeja8U Thanks for your comments, Sheila! Cheers XX Dara

[@raindancer6111]

Never encountered an egg spoon, that looks like a coffee spoon to me.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Honestly there probably is NOT such a thing as an egg spoon! I probably am just repeating what I've been told but I can't promise it's a real thing, LOL! Have you seen my recent video on things I love about living in Britain? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKXSe4WhftiCi6c Cheers XX Dara

[@johnd6487]

No, egg spoons are a thing - or they were in the 70’s when I was little. Like many such things they are largely consigned to the mists of history though - egg cups are not as common as they once were come to that. Indeed, to bring up one of your pet peeves from another video, I haven’t seen a toast rack in use for a good twenty years.

[@lesleyhawes6895]

Same size, same spoon, you only know they are egg spoons if they are sold as part of a breakfast set, the little spoons are only used for coffee with the after-dinner espresso.

[@david-lt9wj]

I like coffee everyday in the morning....and tea every 3 hours until 5pm...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You sound British for sure! 🇬🇧

[@Rearda]

Driving the American way around a traffic circle (roundabout) would make you turn widdishins (counter-clockwise), which is fine, so long as you aren't cursing anyone at that moment. #superstition #witchcraft

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Wow! I had no idea!

[@rickb.4168]

I love my tea towels.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I have a great collection that are like a walk down memory lane from past trips! Because I am a one woman crusade trying to get Americans more excited about British things like kettles and tea towels... I bought a bunch of tea towels from various places in Britain on my trip last month. I am planning to do a giveaway sometime in the next several weeks. Once I am caught up on all the otter videos I’m currently editing! I hope you are subscribed, so you don’t miss the fun💕🦦

[@BeingYemiKing]

We love arnicare it helps every thing! Tea is the cure to everything 😆😂🤣

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Two remedies that must always be in the house!

[@tanyakohong7345]

1$ for med? Yes!!! I will take it. "I want to put kettle on" -Love it!!! You MAKE ME HUNGRY OH NO!!! I ALWAYS WNAT TO LEARN HOW TO COOK THAT SOFT EGG!!!

[@tanyakohong7345]

Korean use year, month and date haha

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Leave it to Asia to do things in ANOTHER order! And the whole reading left vs. right, top to bottom, we do things different ALL over the world!!! I guess variety is the spice of life! LOL

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yeah, I had to mention Paracetamol because there is NO TYLENOL in the UK. So people need to know what to get! Actually, that box I showed was 60 cents! Another interesting thing is that the UK only sells pills in blister packs, not bottles. For safety. Seems very sensible!

[@catgladwell5684]

i had no idea that there are special egg spoons.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

They are also tea spoons 🥄... but much smaller than American teaspoons!

[@BeingYemiKing]

I want to like soft boiled but I can't stand the runny white. Ps a little trick for boiling eggs. Poke a small hole in the shell before you put it in the water to boil. 😉

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Truth me told... I don't like runny yolks. I eat my eggs scrambled, hard boiled or over hard if fried ;-)

[@dragonmac1234]

Tea, tea towels and tea cosies are very British. I think all countries should just pick a side of the road to drive on, it would save confusion for visitors. I've never understood why Americans write month/day/year, day/month/year seems more logical to me as a Brit. I need a new kettle, so I will have a look at your recomendation, cheers Dara ;-)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks, Mark! I agree... I'd like to meet the person who decided that one country had to drive on the opposite side of the road from the other countries. And I'd also like to meet the person who decided that in the US we should always write the month first... so confusing! I got an email from a place in France with a voucher yesterday... it said the voucher expires on 2/2/22. At least I don't have to worry about misunderstanding that one! haha

[@stephenlee5929]

Hi, Re Paracetamol, Its a great pain killer, but you must be careful not to overdose In the UK you can only buy in small packs (16 at 500 grams) and only able to buy 2 packs (at any point in time). On price can be as low as 20 pence per pack, that's about 28 Cents. They are cheapest when you ask for Paracetamol BP (this is unbranded). They are available in supermarkets, newspaper shops and chemists. We had a problem with people deliberately overdosing, which is why the limits.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, did you know that in the US we sell pain relievers in big bottles with hundreds of tablets? Impossible to do in the UK because they are all in the small blister packs. Some people hate them, but I quite like them. Easy to carry a few tablets in a handbag. But what I miss in the UK is no ibuprofen liquid gels.... they are nicer to take because of how fast acting they are.

[@stephenlee5929]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Hi you can get Ibuprofen as tablets, liquid capsules or a cream (rub on/absorption) in UK at most chemists and supermarkets, it is possible to get as a liquid but its difficult because most are for children, bigger chemist should have it.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

There are liquid capsules for ibuprofen?! Good to know! Cheers! Dara

[@rogerjenkinson7979]

😂Hi. I've never driven in USA. But I don't understand your confusion with roundabouts. Because we Brits drive on the left, we feed into roundabouts from the left & drive around them clockwise. If you're driving on the right then surely you would feed in from the right & drive roumd anticlockwise?

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That's not the confusing part. For someone who has not grown up using roundabouts, the right of way is the confusing part. What lane are you supposed to be in? Do you let that person go in front of you, or are you the one that has the right of way? Etc.

[@WheelersAtLarge]

Correction... When we get home we put the kettle on, no reason needed 😂 One of the reasons we drive on different sides is quite interesting, knights welding swords passing each other on the right as opposed to wagon drivers sat on the left holding whips in their right hands over the horses. it doesn't explain the rest of Europe though🤔

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You are correct! ALWAYS put the kettle on. And when a person comes in your front door, you ask if they want a cuppa! It would be rude not to ;-) I love the knight & sword backstory! I'm not bothered about the side of the road. Though it would be better for Ian if he could drive on the same side year round. We live in Britain in the summers and since coming back to Texas this year, he has had a few slip ups ;-)

[@ethelmini]

You'll never get a definitive right answer, but a more compelling horse related one is it has to do with mounting & dismounting. The right handed majority would wear a sword on their left side and mount their horse the same to avoid having to simultaneously throw the sword across its back, this is still a convention in horse riding. Add roads that are too narrow to comfortably turn round on & covered in mud, or worse, so you would prefer not to walk across one and you'd keep to the left and pass "parked" horses to the right on roads where it was busy enough to matter. This was the default in mainland Europe too until Napoleon rewrote the rules for his cannon trains, applying the same logic as American teamsters, but probably as much to show he could.

[@WheelersAtLarge]

@@ethelmini this is want makes everyday things we take for granted so fascinating 👍 Thanks for adding to the conversation.

[@Chris_GY1]

I use a branded name kettle with a filter in it, own brand products have a habit of breaking down. It is a teaspoon there is no such thing as egg spoon. I use an egg boiler to boil eggs I used to use a sauce pan. Your soldiers look too big to me, I normally cut my toast in half then cut it into soldiers. The eggs mustn’t be very good in america if you need salt and pepper, eggs in Britain are all free range caged eggs were banned a number of years ago. There are two types of roundabout in Britain the mini roundabout (some clowns drive over them and ruin the underneath of their car) and the big roundabout, there is a roundabout in Swindon that that has a big roundabout in the middle and then four mini roundabouts around it.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it! We have heard about the Swindon roundabouts! My husband’s aunt just moved there, and we have a good friend who lives in Swindon. But, I’ll be honest, we’re a bit terrified of that roundabout! This summer we managed to get both of them to come visit us in Cheltenham, LOL! Thanks for the advice, I will have to improve my toast soldier game 😉! Some foods are better in the US (avocados) but eggs are definitely better in the UK! Have you seen my recent videos that I did while living in England? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKXSe4WhftiCi6c

[@Chris_GY1]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I only just started watching your channel today.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Wow! Thanks so much 🙏

[@rosemarielee7775]

Arnica cream/gel is not necessarily homeopathic. It is a herbal remedy for bruising used for centuries before homeopathy was invented. The gel should have an effective quantity of the herb in it,

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Fair point!