英语国家社会文化入门

Eating and drinking habitsEating and drinking habits have changed considerably in the last five year

Eating and drinking habits Eating and drinking habits have changed considerably in the last five years. More people are eating in pubs, which were previously reserved for drinking and an occasional Sunday lunch, and coffee bars are appearing on every corner of our high streets. Pub grub Eating out has never been so popular in the UK, and we are spoilt for choice. It is no longer just restaurants that satisfy our appetites. Many pubs -which traditionally served only alcohol -have become 1 popular eating venues. As well as pubs that serve the usual *pub grub (pie and chips, fish and chips, salad and chips), there are now more than 430 gastropubs in the UK. Gastropubs serve restaurant standard food in amore informal setting than restaurants and many take pride in offering healthy food, locally produced. Restaurateur and critic Egon Ronay has recently produced a2006 guide to gastropubs. He commented that 1 the emergence of these pubs is the 'biggest change he had seen in UK food for 50 years- 1tend to eat out in bars as its more relaxed, generally slightly cheaper and easier to do on the spur of the moment. If it's aspecial occasion though Iwould go to arestaurant, probably what's now called a contemporary British restaurant/ Jasmin, 23, from Widnes Coffee culture We are also succumbed by coffee in all its numerous variations more than ever before. In the last five years cafes and coffee shops have appeared everywhere and visiting them is apopular pastime. If the weather is reasonable (and sometimes even if it isn't) we adopt the continental style of sitting outside. People feel comfortable visiting them on their own with abook or newspaper and equally find them good places to relax with friends. It is becoming much more apart of our culture to meet for acoffee or stop for an espresso or alatte when we want abreak from shopping. Coffee is also available in many bars and pubs. The choice doesnt end there though. Healthier alternatives, such as noodle bars and juice bars, are also springing up and becoming increasingly popular. Maybe they will be next to dominate our high streets. British Pub-goer^ Manner So now you have adrink, but what about meeting the locals? Pub-goers will indicate in unspoken ways if they are interested in chatting. Concentrate on those who have bought drinks and are still loitering at the ba Those who have moved to sit at tables are probably not seeking company. Look for people with 匚 HH1 open body language, facing outwards into the room. Don1 ever introduce yourself with an outstretched hand and abig smile Natives will cringe and squirm with embarrassment at such brashness. The British, ・ quite frankly, do not want to know your name and shake your hand—or at least not until aproper degree of mutual interest has been well established (like maybe when you marry their daughter). Talk generally about the weather, the beer or the pub and at an appropriate moment, offer to your newfound companion adrink. This exchange is key to feeling part of the pub crowd and thereby getting to know more about Britain than its tourists spots. The ritual of sharing—buying rounds of drinks in turn—is