Skip to content

I don't want to buy American stuff in the UK

2009 July 8
tags: , ,
by yankeebean

yankeebeanI recently found this awesome website called American Soda where you can buy American food online and have it the next day.  With essentials like Hidden Valley Ranch, Cheetos and canned pumpkin… this is a really really really really REALLY awesome store…

But right after I found this site, it occurred to me that I don’t really want to buy any of this stuff when I’m in the UK.  I think what I actually MISS about these American beauties is being able to go out and buy/see them – and for it to be normal.  Does that make any sense?

It not like I want to buy a bag of Nestle Toll House Morsels and make the biggest be-all-end-all-giant-batch of chocolate chip cookies ever.  What I MISS is being able to mention Nestle Toll House Morsels and have everyone know what I’m talking about, or to go shopping and see them at the grocery store, or to go to my Grandma’s house and see them in the pantry.

I guess, if I put the shoe on the British foot for a minute, the same goes for English stuff in America.  I don’t really want to go back to the States and drink squash, or eat Marmite, or have baked beans for breakfast.  Although I would do all those things, I certainly wouldn’t object – I just wouldn’t go out of my way.

Although, having said all that, I can feel my first American Soda order brewing beneath the surface – even if it’s just for the ranch dressing…

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

from → Uncategorized

  • http://michelloui.blogspot.com Michelloui

    Totally, totally agree!! I have a soft spot for twinkies, or used to, and when I told my mother this several years ago she went out and bought a giant catering size box and sent it to me as a surprise. It arrived, I as over the moon, immediately at one and a half… and by the time I was on that second one I was thinking: these aren’t so special. This has happened several times. It’s so disappointing! I have realised as well as you, that it’s not the food, but the culture that I miss. *sigh*

  • http://www.smittenbybritain.com smitten by britain

    I don’t think there was too much I missed in this regard because I was lucky enough to get these goods at the base commissary. I think what I missed most was American television and the 24-7 culture.

  • yankeebean

    Amen about the 24/7 culture! I just moved to a bigger city in the UK and I’m enjoying the extra 2-4 hours that stores seem to stay open here…

    When I go home and visit the fam I always say ‘Do you think they’re still open?’ if we’re going anywhere after 8pm.

    Everyone usually turns and looks at me like I’m crazy…

  • http://www.mcgrae.com Christine

    I know exactly what you are talking about… It is not so much that I miss things it is that it feels odd walking down the grocery store aisle and not seeing these things. To me there is just so much more variety in the US. I miss the idea of buying them if I wanted them. lol

  • http://www.expatica.com Peter O

    Hi I would like to invite you to contribute the occasional blog post to Expatica.com – a news and information site for internationals. Please could you contact me:)

    Peter

  • http://www.shesnotfromyorkshire.com peacefulyorkshire

    I just had my family bring over some pumpkin so just for kicks, had a look at the Americansoda site you mentioned in your post and guess what? A can of Libby’s pumpkin will set you back over 9 squid!
    Yikes!

  • http://www.usmeetsuk.com Christiana @ Us meets Uk

    psh, speak for yourself! :) I just ate beans on toast for dinner (in America) and I recall jumping for joy at receiving real kraft mac n cheese while in England.

    Once I’m married (and can eat things like cookies again) I’m going to Harris Teeter and paying $6 for those McVitties Caramel digestives. I know what you mean though, it does lack a sense of normalcy. After splitting countries for a while I don’t really know what “normal” is anymore. So I’ll take my favorite foods where/when I can get them :)

    Though, a trip to Tescos could always cheer me up, “beans with balls”, “full monty” in a can, “big saucy bangers”… puts a smile on my face anytime.

  • Raya

    I’m so happy you’ve found this website! I completely agree that it’s that sense of “normal” that we want, but god do I know that I miss American food. I love the UK loads, but I do get a bit sad when I mention a food and people don’t understand. Strangely enough, talking about food is when I realize I’m homesick the most, which is weird lol, it makes me miss my family and just America in general quite a bit. Thanks for the website though! Now all I need is to find some Nacho cheese, and I will be set!!!

  • http://www.shesnotfromyorkshire.com yankeebean

    Hi Raya

    I just got back from the States and this is the first time I didn’t load my suitcase full of Hershey’s Kisses and Kraft Mac and Cheese. I still feel ok about it now, but I bet when I’m home-sick-suffering next time I’ll kick myself for not stocking up on that gorgeous bright-orange-cheese-powder.

    At least you can Reese Peanut butter cups here now :)

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes