Quintessentially British?

SteveJB

SteveJB

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Next weekend I'm off to Oz to visit friends for thier wedding.

Now, they've lived here for a few years previously so I asked them if there was any they wanted me to take, the answer was, 'Bring something quintessentially British'.

Well, the things I've thought of taking are;

A copy of a happy slapping,
Photo of the weather,
Times newspaper,
Knotted Hanky

To be honest I'm ashamed to say I'm stuck to think of much that could be considered British that no other country has :$ .

I'm open to ideas from you guys, coz I'm stuck

S
 
Shell suit and a pit bull?

Jokes aside....is it your wedding gift then?
 
Kerioak said:
Set of placemats with your photos of British scenery on them - useful, personal and British?
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Hmm, placemats could be a good idea.

BeHappy said:
Shell suit and a pit bull?

Jokes aside....is it your wedding gift then?
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:lol:

It's not the wedding gift, I'll be getting that when I'm there. This is more of a 'Hi your Pommie mate is here!' type gift.

I'm thinking that some Cadbury's chocolate would be British, that's only in the UK isn't it?
 
Aside from taking a double decker bus or a phone box, how about a selection of British teas?

Marmite - show them how much better it is compared to Vegemite
Jaffa cakes - AFAIK, these cannot be bought anywhere in the world but the UK

Or, failing that, as they are Australian, a ball and chain and a suit with arrows on it? :lol:
 
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mmm.....what about tea bags?

(beaten to it LOL)
 
What about a Rolls ? Silver spur or something ?

If you can't afford a Rolls then maybe an E type Jag ?
 
Black pudding, a hollands pie, or James May (depending on the size of your suitcase)
 
OutLore said:
Aside from taking a double decker bus or a phone box, how about a selection of British teas?

Marmite - show them how much better it is compared to Vegemite
Jaffa cakes - AFAIK, these cannot be bought anywhere in the world but the UK

Or, failing that, as they are Australian, a ball and chain and a suit with arrows on it? :lol:
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BeHappy said:
mmm.....what about tea bags?
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Teas are a good idea, a quick nip into Witards could cover that !

Hmm, I may get a bit of trouble if i mention the criminals, however, that fact that thier country still belongs to us may come up in conversation!!

Borats Baby said:
What about a Rolls ? Silver spur or something ?

If you can't afford a Rolls then maybe an E type Jag ?
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Good Idea, bit expensive though and i reckon thay might have those down there already.

Marcel said:
Black pudding, a hollands pie, or James May (depending on the size of your suitcase)
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James May...or Boris Johnson :lol:

Flash In The Pan said:
A Burberry cap? A Photo of Jordan Katie Price and Peter Andre? An empty piggy bank?
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You may say that in jest, but i know that would go down well with the female half of the couple, she was mad about I'm a celebrity when she lived here.
 
how about union jack undies? a nice thong LOL
 
Fish & Chips, ok they might be cold when you get there but hey! they could stick it in the micro.:lol:
 
frank said:
Fish & Chips, ok they might be cold when you get there but hey! they could stick it in the micro.:lol:
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Well beleive it or not, they have fish 'n' chips the same as we do, well almost the same, apparently they get shark 'n' chips. That's what they tell me anyhow!:shrug:

Plus it'd make my luggage a bit smelly :gag:
 
OutLore said:
Jaffa cakes - AFAIK, these cannot be bought anywhere in the world but the UK
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This is definately worth a thought, just used the Oz version of Google for Jaffa cakes and they don't have them.

Need to start creating a list

Teas
Jaffa cakes
A copy of heat or Ok mag - Not quite Katie Price and Peter Andre but they'll be in there somewhere
 
Make a recording of everyone you and they know in the UK 'whingeing' about the weather and anything else you can think of.
 
A Somerset Hero Who Beat the Aussies: The Life and Times of J.C. "Farmer" White
Marmite
Stilton
Melton Pork Pie
Burdall's Gravy Block
Ruddles County
 
Lads and lassies what about Baked Beans?!!!

Just hope whatever you decide on you can take it on the plane! You know how funny they can be these days.
 
King of Groove said:
Lads and lassies what about Baked Beans?!!!

Just hope whatever you decide on you can take it on the plane! You know how funny they can be these days.
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IIRC, baked beans are an American invention, created by cowboys who needed something they could carry around and warm up over an open fire...

I'm pretty sure they will have them in Aus as well...
 
OutLore said:
IIRC, baked beans are an American invention, created by cowboys who needed something they could carry around and warm up over an open fire...

I'm pretty sure they will have them in Aus as well...
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Are Heinz sold in Australia?!
 
Well the Queen's quintessentually british and she's half German lol
 
Detector dogs

Detector dogs are trained to detect food, plants, animals and their products in passengers’ bags. If you see a detector dog working close to you, please place your bag on the floor. The dog will simply sit next to your bag if it finds something: an AQIS officer may ask you about what’s in your bag, and check to make sure there’s nothing that could present a quarantine risk to Australia.

You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases.

Some products may require treatment to make them safe. Other items that pose pest and disease risks will be seized and destroyed by AQIS. You can dispose of high-risk items in quarantine bins in the airport terminal.

If you’re not sure, ask an AQIS officer.

http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-take
 
andrewc said:
Check food import regulations into Oz. Be a shame to give them to Customs and never see them again. I'm sure the officials eat like Kings.
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I was thinking this too. There is an Australian Customs programme I've seen, and alot of foodstuffs seem to be siezed or astronomic taxes payable on them.
 
Oh and no cheese. They don't let dairy produce in. You can take sweets, wrapped food (not just in clingfilm), tins and most things sealed in a factory.
Or take them and lie (sorry, be economical with the truth).
And scrub your walking boots. If you've been anywhere near farmland wearing them in the last six weeks - tell them - they'll take your boots away and bring them back clean as a whistle and smelling much fresher! (Yes that's experience for you!)
 
Something British........

Take 10 of your mates with you and start a queue!!

Do they follow football? Record a Match of the Day on to video/ DVD and take that with you. The theme tune is a british institution.

It's difficult to think of something 'british' with out it being quite corny.
 
Framed piccie of Winston Churchill smolking a cigar.
 
Make sure when you get there, talk in a ridiculously pretentious Hyacinth Bucket-type voice to keep the theme going!
 
Crumpets (Hovis travel the best, check for a good shelf life), digestive biscuits, Battenburg, mince pies, a Christmas pud and maybe a sachet of custard to go with it, and a big bar of Cadburys (though this might get taken of you at customs) and Cadburys Cream Eggs.

Loads more, but they are some of the favs I have sent over to friends. All of which have been recieved well, many times over :lol:
 
How about a garden gnome? hehe
 
English Mustard....

I have friends/family in both Oz & the US and they always ask for Colemans Mustard (and Lea & Perrins Sauce).

A Policemans helmet - only place you'll find a copper with a tit on his head is good old England.

A picture of a Premiership team.... (Or maybe not, they're all foriegn!)

Steve
 
wow! Thanks for all of the replies guys.. :clap::thumbs:

Great ideas in here,

I reckon I'll be taking Tea, Jaffa Cakes, A bar of cadbury choc, and i think Crumpets could be a good option too.

I'll be peeved if it all gets confiscated though!! I'll stand in customs and eat the choc and jaffa cakes rather than hand it over!

S
 
I know you've decided, but how about a boxed set of the complete Dad's Army? You can't get much more British than that!:bonk:
 
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