Being British: Thread the Tenth

[Equinox Chick]

Hi there

We never used to kiss both cheeks - just the one - but it is becoming more commonplace now. Certainly I'll greet people I know well by kissing both sides. Men don't kiss each other at all, by the way.

I think it will depend on when your story is set. Marauder era then stick to one kiss. If you're moving into 90's and your characters are in their 20's then they can kiss both cheeks.

Older people (in their 60s and above) will only kiss on one side.

Hope this helps.

Carole
xxx

[OliveOil_Med]

While posting a question in the French thread about students from outside France, I began thinking about where my own family comes from: Malta.

It is a very small island, which I feel would very unlikely have it's own school. It was, however, a British colony for many years, and English is still on of the official languages there.

Do you think it might be possible for a witch or wizard from Malta to attend Hogwarts? Despite the common mistake, we share very little in common with the Italians. We even helped to fight AGAINST them in WWII. And believe you m, the people in Malta have still not let go of all the damages the Nazis and the Fascists had done to them during all those years.

Thoughts and opinions?

Which brings up another though: during colonial times, would any British citizen in a British colony be invitied to atten Hogwarts? Would the natives of the colonies be granted the same invitation?

[Skipper]

Right then. I have a reasonably simple question. I'd like to get some contemporary British slang versions of "shut up". I have a source, someone who has been to the UK but is not actually British, that gave me a few suggestions. Let's just say I don't know how much credibility I lend to the source, at least on this particular subject.

I'm looking for some ideas of how someone might say "shut up" when they are annoyed, but not really angry. For example, you trip and fall down and your friend tells you that you should have watched your step. In return, you tell him or her to "shut up".

PS - Not posting the phrases I heard because I don't really know the degree of offensiveness they hold. To me, these phrases seem innocuous. But, since I'm not sure ... better to be safe.

PPS - I do want to keep my story clean, so if you can't post the answer here - I probably won't use it in my fic either.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[inspirations]

'Button it' - I don't hear it very often, but occasionally a child might get it from their parent for being lippy or something.

'Put a sock in it.' - again, I associate that with an older generation.

They are the only two I can think of, but generally, I think most people would just say 'shut up'. Or you might say 'shut it' in a more jokey tone. Like, amused but annoyed.

[Equinox Chick]

Inspirations gave some good examples. I think 'Shut it' is probably the best.

I'd also add Shut your mouth or Shut your trap. Another old fashioned type one is 'Shut your cake-hole' - which is a bit odd - ha ha.

Thinking of more now - Zip it! 'Button your lip'

If I think of any more I'll edit back in.

Carole
xxx

[Ginny Weasley Potter]

I just wanted to know about the weather in London. Could someone give me some important points like:

1. How many seasons do you have?

2. How long does each last?

3. What's the average temperature (hot/warm/pleasant/cool/cold/freezing)?

4. During which months do you get rain and snowfall? Are they heavy, medium or just light?

Thank you

[Magical Maeve]

1. How many seasons do you have?

Spring - March til May
Summer - June til August
Autumn - September til November
Winter - December til February

2. How long does each last?

Above dates are what most people would recognise as the seasons.

3. What's the average temperature (hot/warm/pleasant/cool/cold/freezing)?

Average temperature seemes to be a happy average of mild (approx 15-20C). Occasionally dips to freezing during Winter and it could get as high as 29/30 Centigrade in summer.

4. During which months do you get rain and snowfall? Are they heavy, medium or just light?

Rain pretty much at any point during the year. Can be heavy, but Britain specialises in rain and can go from light drizzle to downpour and back again in seconds! Snow only rarely the winter months.

Hope that helps!

[Kate Skeffington]

Hi! I've got a question about surnames!How does it work in the UK? Chikdren use their mother's last name? or their father's?

In Chile we use our father's surname first and then our mum's. So if Frank Miller and Anna Smith had a daughter called Mary, for example, she would introduce herself as Mary Miller, but her full name (the one that would appear on her ID, or any important ,official papers) would be Mary Miller Smith. There is a choice though, once you are of legal age you can change your name and last name to whatever you want (the same happens in other countries, I imagine?). Also, a single mother can choose her child's 'first' surname (even if it's not the biological father's surname)

I think in some countries (in the US?) when you get married the woman can choose to keep her surname (in which case it would be her child's surname too?) or take her husband's...does it work like this in the UK? Could anyone explain please??

Thanks in advance!

Mila.

[coolh5000]

Children will generally take their father's surname. However, some single mothers may prefer to give their child their own surname or there may be others who have double-baralled surnames and take both.

I don't believe there is a set rule - it all comes down to what the mother/father chooses to register on the birth certificate - but the most likely situation would be for a child to take the father's name

[Padfoot Patronus]

Hi,

Will be glad for help on the following:

* I read in a previous thread some debate between settee and sofa. Correct me if I’m wrong, but up till now, I was of the idea that they are different styles of upholstered furniture. My dictionary says the following:

Settee: a long upholstered seat for more than one person
Sofa: a long upholstered seat with a back and arms.

What say the Brits?

* Could you reflect on some specific table manners when having dinner with friends? For instance, what level of formality is maintained and such, will James pull out a chair for Lily (they are at home, of course)?

* For the casual dinner with friends, will some kind of wines be preferred to other?

* If they have dinner for two, will the idea of setting the table take place every night or can they have dinner on the sofa? Will it be considered okay for Lily to suggest that they have dinner on the living room sofa?

* Specifically b/w July and October, how much rain can people living in London expect?

* Again, with reference to the Marauders Era, 1970s, could you comment on the proper greeting considering of course the nature of relationship b/w people? Take the following examples for instance: Lily and Sirius, Lily and Remus, Lily and Peter. Who kisses who and can I safely assume its one time?

* Is there any specific sort of maternity clothing that British women from 1970s wear? Or will a XXL t-shirt suffice for Lily say when she is at home?

* Pre-marital sex among couples common or uncommon during the Marauder period?

* I’ve never been able to understand the night clothes. I get that men change in pyjamas. How about women? Moreover, what about the night robe, night gown…?

-What is the term that you use first of all?
-And am I right in saying that if a person leaves their room, they would wear it?

* Famous rock bands at their peak b/w 1970-79?

* What sort of simple hairdo did women wear (again relating to the same period)?

Thanks!

-Akay