So. I thought I posted this at the end of June. I didn’t. So a little late, but here’s how I finished up in the Ireland and the UK.

Yeah, that’s me being the geek on the Prime Meridian. More on London in a bit. First, some thoughts on my experience of Ireland and the UK.

Civility

For me, the difference in civility in the public sphere between the United States and Ireland and the UK was significant, and a little depressing. In speaking with servers, bartenders, taxi drivers, bouncers, (is it becoming clear where I spend my time?), and fellow pub patrons, it is clear that the UK has a range of political positions similar to the US. But what they don’t have is the overt disdain and denigration of opposing views. They gently probe at contentious issues without attempting to impose, or often even telegraph, their position. More telling, was that no matter what one’s opinions, they are always pleasant and respectful. Cordial greetings, warm welcomes, and please and thank you prevailed. Despite underlying differences, the public vibe was one with substantially less friction than I have felt in the US. At least that was my experience as an old, white, male. Your experience may differ.

Odds and Ends

A few odds and ends. things that seem to bear mentioning, but I’m not sure why. Well, I am sure, I’m just not sure if they are of any interest to others.

First light switches – in the US, up is on and down is off. Not in the UK. The switches are rockers instead of toggle and up is off. Nothing in the universe to prefer one over the other, but a little jarring for someone with decades of experience one way.

Paying the bill. It seemed that I could sit at a table all day if I didn’t explicitly ask for the bill. Which is actually kind of nice. But disconcerting for someone used to establishments focused on turning tables. If I read this wrong, please post a note in the comments.

More generally, I couldn’t seem to get manners quite right. I mentioned the accepting attitude I experienced. And a general live and let live environment. But I couldn’t help feeling that my responses sometimes did not match norms. And let’s not talk about tipping.

Everything all in, I found Ireland and the UK welcoming, scenic, historic, and memorable. A great trip!

LONDON

I had three days in London. Nowhere near enough, but I figure it will be easy to get a direct flight to London in the future. So this visit was just exploratory.

Top of the list for orientation was mass transit. It felt surreal to be alighting in stations from so many books I’ve read – Paddington, Picadilly, Charring Cross, and Bakerloo.

Yes, another church. This is St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren to replace the structure lost in the Great Fire of 1666, which followed the Great Plague of 1665-1666. I highly recommend the guided Cathedral Floor and Crypt tour which is 60-90 minutes long. There is so much history here that is not immediately obvious on one’s own. I found it especially interesting to see how Wren’s grand but austere design has been continually embellished by those wanting more guilding and color in the church.

That’s it for thirty days in Ireland and the UK. Glad I went. Exhausted by the end. Good to get home.