More Fun with the Brits

I find it heartening that in a time when many people have cancelled their home delivery newspaper and turned on their computers; when the publishing industry (now pallid and weak) still sells real books and magazines made of  paper  in brick and board stores.  I am a tactile person and no Kindl or rival is ever going to feel like a book to me. 

It's heartening to report that while what I'm about to tout IS online; you can also subscribe to it and the magazines are delivered to your door. 

The Daily Mail (dailymail.uk.co) the other day ran a snob's guide to what you can - and can't  - snub in Britain.  It was originally published as an article in The Tatler, established way back on July 3, 1901, and which has now been published for 115 years.  (Suck that up Time and Newsweek.)

So - if you're planning a Christmas-New Year's jaunt off to Old Blighty, here are some points to remember.

DON'T:
talk in lifts (elevators)
wear sunglasses indoors (and in the winter months there you'd have no use for them)
wear high heels to a polo match.  Gentlemen that includes you.
brush your hair or eat on public conveniences
admire fake Christmas trees
and my favorite - don't hang out with people whose houses have no books.

The Tatler has another section that could prove to be quite amusing - "Little Black Book" a compilation of (their words) "The most eligible, beddable, most exotically plumed birds and blokes in town."  This is found in the Bystander column whose columnist goes to all of the posh parties - in these days most usually a branding effort - so-and-so designer/perfumer/exotic car -- advertising.

Great, respectful attention (so far as I've read)  is paid to The Royals.  There's an article in this issue about their dogs (no cats - humph) horses and someone - very much a lesser star - has a pair of ancient rescue elephants. 

Amuse yourself and quietly sneer if you so desire about British High Life at   tatler.com

A sisterly publication is directed at those who live in the burbs and other rural areas.  It is called Country Life and has been around for yonks years.  (since 1846 IS yonk's years.)   This issue had a recipe for The Ultimate Sloe Gin which will remain uncopied here as it calls for "sloe berries or damson plums" and such as "castor sugar" none of which do I really know anything about. 

I enjoyed the country homes for sale adverts and was stunned to learn that you can purchase a seven or eight bedroom home for 1.5 million pounds sterling.  Granted this particular Georgian house was on the outskirts of Newcastle-on Tyne which is so far north as to almost be in Scotland and subsequent colder than a banker's heart most of the year ...

Those interested in hunting, stalking (animals not people,) fishing, polo and assorted ilk will revel at townandcountrymag.com 

Just remember to wear wellies, not high heels.