Question for our British friends

cars · Post by **cars** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:02 pm

Just curious, we have been watching several BBC TV programs, where they show the inside of homes in England. It seemed the refrigerators in all the homes shown were rather on the small size. Is that the norm, meaning that grocery shopping would have to be done frequently? Here in the US, the majority of fridges are behemoths, that stores a weeks worth of stuff for most! :-2

kinks · Post by **kinks** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:07 pm

Well we have a large fridge and the same size freezer to match and we always do a monthly shop and they are big enough to store it all,

obviously apart from the bits that won't last a month ...lol

el guapo · Post by **el guapo** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:08 pm

cars;728362 wrote: Just curious, we have been watching several BBC TV programs, where they show the inside of homes in England. It seemed the refrigerators in all the homes shown were rather on the small size. Is that the norm, meaning that grocery shopping would have to be done frequently? Here in the US, the majority of fridges are behemoths, that stores a weeks worth of stuff for most! :-2

uk fridges are small

we call the big one american fridges

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:10 pm

Mine is pretty big but I wouldn't want a big American fridge, no offence. They look over the top, would in my place anyway. One of my friends has one, in their hall as it's too large for the kitchen. :rolleyes:

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:11 pm

el guapo;728369 wrote: uk fridges are small

we call the big one american fridges
Never had it called a fridge before but on behalf of all Americans thanks for the compliment..

el guapo · Post by **el guapo** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:13 pm

YZGI;728377 wrote: Never had it called a fridge before but on behalf of all Americans thanks for the compliment..

yes my friend but you say 7 is big we measure in inches not centremeters:wah::wah:

cars · Post by **cars** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:28 pm

Thanks, I agree, some of the American Fridges are way too big for most! It's sort of a "you build it, they will buy it" mindset!

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:33 pm

Well id love one of them big american jobbies but my fitted kitchen includes an intergrated fridge/freezer so its not an option but if i had the money id design my kitchen around an american fridge and freezer.

However my fridge does take all the food we buy each week ok

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:01 pm

cars;728362 wrote: Just curious, we have been watching several BBC TV programs, where they show the inside of homes in England. It seemed the refrigerators in all the homes shown were rather on the small size. Is that the norm, meaning that grocery shopping would have to be done frequently? Here in the US, the majority of fridges are behemoths, that stores a weeks worth of stuff for most! :-2

Even in New Zealand and Australia, the fridges, washers and dryers are smaller than what we are used to in the U.S.

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:03 pm

Maybe it's why Americans are on average more obese. :wah: *hides*

summerishere · Post by **summerishere** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:07 pm

When I was younger and living at my parents home... we had a large fridge/freezer in the kitchen and also a chest freezer in the garage. There were eight of us then... but as there is only myself and my daughter now... an average sized fridge is well enough for our needs!:)

In America though... it seems that everything is bigger !! :-3

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:02 pm

Many european americans ( like my grand parents ) shopped every day, and had small refrigerators in the 50's 60's and even the 70's. the whole idea of the big refrigerators is to eliminate the need to shop so often. I was amazed to see the small refrigerators in England. But the way we shop here in America is kind of over the top, ridiculous.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:52 pm

Hoarding is an act of Satan.

Let the fridges be small!!

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:22 am

Smaller houses especially in the cities, most people in the UK are within walking distance of a shop or at worst a short car journey from one. things like bread and milk or fresh veggies most tend to buy when they need it in a weekly shop with a bigger one once a month to stock up the freezer.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:44 am

Do you know that when in the US and Canada supermarkets started selling Club Pack foods (you know, the extra large pack of Corn Flakes and super size pack of potato chips etc) they were worried that if people started buying larger sizes for relatively cheeper prices, that the frequency of the person shopping would reduce.

What they found however was that the larger the pack size of cookies etc were sold in club pack, the more the available food at home would just be eaten. The frequency of the shopping did not slow down one bit. So people are buying larger pack sizes of food, which need more storage space (large fridges and now separate freezers), but they are eating more, and storing more (kind of like rats).

And they wonder why there is an obesity problem???

jpcme · Post by **jpcme** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:55 am

In my house I have the standard 6 foot high fidge/freezer and another seperate fridge. The small fridge has never benn switched on since I moved in and the other fridge contains 52 cans of beer 2 cartons of apple juice one of orange juice, milk and a can of spray cream.

Just do not have the need for a large american style fridge.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:55 am

mikeinie;728944 wrote: Do you know that when in the US and Canada supermarkets started selling Club Pack foods (you know, the extra large pack of Corn Flakes and super size pack of potato chips etc) they were worried that if people started buying larger sizes for relatively cheeper prices, that the frequency of the person shopping would reduce.

What they found however was that the larger the pack size of cookies etc were sold in club pack, the more the available food at home would just be eaten. The frequency of the shopping did not slow down one bit. So people are buying larger pack sizes of food, which need more storage space (large fridges and now separate freezers), but they are eating more, and storing more (kind of like rats).

And they wonder why there is an obesity problem???

Good Point!

Growing up, my mum always bought too much food and always said, well you never know and "Incase of an avalanche"..........In Wales lol:wah::wah:

I prefer to go once a week for storage items and then 2-3 times a week for fresh meat and veg, milk etc....Then your not stuck with the food thats gotta be eaten but you dont fancy it lol

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:10 am

No we have small-ish fridges over here as well, also the size of houses is a little smaller, as are cars as well. Though there has been a trend toward larger American style versions of all these things, though there is also a trend away from that as well. I think in general its because the standard of living has been traditionally been a bit lower in Europe than the states, energy costs are higher, and there is the taste aspect as well, though Irish people are quite similar to Americans in terms of their aspirations I find, (more so than other Europeans, even Brits), though I am not sure if thats a good thing, as we only have a little Island to live on, not a big continent. Personally I like buying food as fresh as possible so I prefer to do a small grocery shop more frequently. Though freezers are convienient and all that.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:21 am

The first time I shopped in an American supermarket I was amazed by the meat packages. From my point of view there was nothing there which would feed less than a family of eight. I used to cut everything up and freeze the results in smaller lots. Maybe this is why large fridges are needed. I prefer to buy smaller portions I can use in one go and do my shopping daily.

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:50 am

Chezzie, I am amazed your mother would joke about that, she would be old enough to remember all the deaths in the Abafan Avalanch disaster.

I really want an american style fridge freezer with ice machine on the front.

It would save having totake everything out to find the tsuff at the back, plus it would be easier to make stews and freeze them, i always run out of room.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:25 am

Galbally;728957 wrote: No we have small-ish fridges over here as well, also the size of houses is a little smaller, as are cars as well. Though there has been a trend toward larger American style versions of all these things, though there is also a trend away from that as well. I think in general its because the standard of living has been traditionally been a bit lower in Europe than the states, energy costs are higher, and there is the taste aspect as well, though Irish people are quite similar to Americans in terms of their aspirations I find, (more so than other Europeans, even Brits), though I am not sure if thats a good thing, as we only have a little Island to live on, not a big continent. Personally I like buying food as fresh as possible so I prefer to do a small grocery shop more frequently. Though freezers are convienient and all that.

In America they have big houses and small families, in Ireland we have big families and small houses...

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:33 am

lemon_and_mint;728967 wrote: Chezzie, I am amazed your mother would joke about that, she would be old enough to remember all the deaths in the Abafan Avalanch disaster.

I really want an american style fridge freezer with ice machine on the front.

It would save having totake everything out to find the tsuff at the back, plus it would be easier to make stews and freeze them, i always run out of room.

I didnt say she was Joking, I made a joke out it because of the chances of it happening where we lived. She really did shop in case of an emergency and it so happened that she chose an avalanche to cite, could of been a volcano erupting, world war 3 etc...Just one of the many catastrophies than can and do happen in the world.

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:42 am

When I first moved to the states (4 years ago approx.), it took a lot of getting used to having such a big fridge. The fridges seem bigger here, but the freezers seem so much smaller. I used to have small fridge and big chest freezer in UK. I can't remember having seen a chest freezer here

)

Also I do miss my FRONT LOADING washing machine. Recently you see them here more, but they are so damn expensive :-5.

Top loaders are very rare in UK, but mostly the norm. here.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:45 am

American washing machines have a larger load capacity though dont they?? My friend has just bought an american washing machine, tumble dryer, cooker and fridge...Hate to think what she will do when they go wrong and she needs a part or something lol

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:48 am

Here is another one I don’t get….Supermarket Trolleys, (or buggies or carts depending where you are from). I can’t understand them over here in Ireland.

All 4 wheels steer on the bloody things so they are next to impossible to push around corners, or if they are heavy and you are pushing through the car park… it is insane!

Would you drive a car if all 4 wheels steered all over the place.

Now in N America, logically, only the front wheels steer. Therefore you can control the shopping cart as you push it around and take corners. I don’t know who designed the bloody things over here.

:-5:-5

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:55 am

mikeinie;729042 wrote: Here is another one I don’t get¦.Supermarket Trolleys, (or buggies or carts depending where you are from). I can’t understand them over here in Ireland.

All 4 wheels steer on the bloody things so they are next to impossible to push around corners, or if they are heavy and you are pushing through the car park¦ it is insane!

Would you drive a car if all 4 wheels steered all over the place.

Now in N America, logically, only the front wheels steer. Therefore you can control the shopping cart as you push it around and take corners. I don’t know who designed the bloody things over here.

:-5:-5

:wah: I don't know about N. America - but here in the NE USA the bloody things still have a mind of their own. Usually I get the one that is totally incapable of steering in any direction and goes 'curr-clump' - 'curr-clump' every wheel turn. :-5

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:58 am

Lmao, whenever I get one of them trolleys its always when Ive parked on a bit of a slope and theirs no way of getting the trolley up it without looking like a crazed maniac on some weird trip :wah::wah::wah:

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:04 am

Chezzie;729048 wrote: Lmao, whenever I get one of them trolleys its always when Ive parked on a bit of a slope and theirs no way of getting the trolley up it without looking like a crazed maniac on some weird trip :wah::wah::wah:

:wah: I think its illegal to try pushing a trolley up a hill. Didn't you know they have an 'anti-hill' system built in. Have you not seen the cameras watching you when you try to do that - the people in the supermarkets are pissing themselves laughing :wah:

What about the trolleys that suddenly leap at into your parking space. They seriously have a sick and warped sense of humour. I have also seen trolleys chasing cars - not content until they smash into the bumper!

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:11 am

Or how about the fact that you need to put a coin in a shopping cart to get one, it always seems that you have every fecken coin your pocket except the one the cart needs!! Then when you go to plug the thing back in to get you coin back, some other fecker has come up with some original way of getting the cart in front of you so that the short chain on your cart with the lock thingy can’t reach the cart in front¦..

God I Hate Shopping!!! :-5:-5:-5

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:16 am

Attack of the Killer Trolleys :wah::wah:

this is what id like in my kitchen but id need an extension to fit it in lol

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:16 am

mikeinie;729063 wrote: Or how about the fact that you need to put a coin in a shopping cart to get one, it always seems that you have every fecken coin your pocket except the one the cart needs!! Then when you go to plug the thing back in to get you coin back, some other fecker has come up with some original way of getting the cart in front of you so that the short chain on your cart with the lock thingy can’t reach the cart in front¦..

God I Hate Shopping!!! :-5:-5:-5

:wah: that always seems to happen to us when we're out shopping over there.

What about remembering to bring your own bags?? I can never manage that either...we're just not used to having to bring coins and bags to be ready to shop. :wah:

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:18 am

sunny104;729067 wrote: :wah: that always seems to happen to us when we're out shopping over there.

What about remembering to bring your own bags?? I can never manage that either...we're just not used to having to bring coins and bags to be ready to shop. :wah:

YA! I have a garage full of bags, and I always seem to get a call on the way home asking me to stop and pick up some things, by now you would think that I learn to keep some in the back of the car, but nooooo... more fecken bags to bring home! :-5

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:22 am

mikeinie;729070 wrote: YA! I have a garage full of bags, and I always seem to get a call on the way home asking me to stop and pick up some things, by now you would think that I learn to keep some in the back of the car, but nooooo... more fecken bags to bring home! :-5

nearly pee'd me pants at that:wah:

My mum in law has made this contraption for her "fecken" bags that hangs up, looks like a long sausage which she stuffs the bags in....Works great but she always forgets em lol:wah:

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:07 pm

I had a more blonde than usual moment a couple of weeks ago with an Aussie shopping trolley. Not as large as the American variety, but big enough. I took it onto a down escalator. Not one of those smooth ones, but one with moving steps. All went fine until I tried to drive it off the bottom step. I leave the ensuing disarray to your imagination.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:47 am

Or another thing that always happens. I am given a list of things to get from the store, I am told that ‘know matter what do not come home without #10 on the list, it is needed urgently.’

Then you do your shopping and get everything OK until you get to #10, and the self is completely empty!!

Then you find some pimply teenager, (who is only there because he wants to hit on the cashiers who are working the Friday or Saturday night, and the only reason they’re there is because they haven’t got a date) and ask if he can check the storage area of the store to see if the have anymore of item #10 on the list.

You know by the blank look on his face that he has absolutely no fecken idea what it is I want, but heads off to look anyway. His idea of looking is walking through the back of the store, out the receiving door and have a quick smoke out back before coming back 10 minutes later to tell me satisfactorily that ‘we are sorry we don’t have any’.

Then the search begins going from store to store to find the one thing that I just can’t come home without. In shop number 5 I find the product at about three times the price, buy it and go home, only to be asked what the hell took me so long¦¦ you just can’t win!

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:44 am

mikeinie;729957 wrote: Or another thing that always happens. I am given a list of things to get from the store, I am told that ‘know matter what do not come home without #10 on the list, it is needed urgently.’

Then you do your shopping and get everything OK until you get to #10, and the self is completely empty!!

Then you find some pimply teenager, (who is only there because he wants to hit on the cashiers who are working the Friday or Saturday night, and the only reason they’re there is because they haven’t got a date) and ask if he can check the storage area of the store to see if the have anymore of item #10 on the list.

You know by the blank look on his face that he has absolutely no fecken idea what it is I want, but heads off to look anyway. His idea of looking is walking through the back of the store, out the receiving door and have a quick smoke out back before coming back 10 minutes later to tell me satisfactorily that ‘we are sorry we don’t have any’.

Then the search begins going from store to store to find the one thing that I just can’t come home without. In shop number 5 I find the product at about three times the price, buy it and go home, only to be asked what the hell took me so long¦¦ you just can’t win!

:wah::wah::wah:I want to come shopping with you......sounds fecken hilarious:wah:

littlemissgiggle · Post by **littlemissgiggle** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:48 am

ThePheasant;729053 wrote: :wah: I think its illegal to try pushing a trolley up a hill. Didn't you know they have an 'anti-hill' system built in. Have you not seen the cameras watching you when you try to do that - the people in the supermarkets are pissing themselves laughing :wah:

What about the trolleys that suddenly leap at into your parking space. They seriously have a sick and warped sense of humour. I have also seen trolleys chasing cars - not content until they smash into the bumper!

:wah::wah: this is soo funny,

in my mums house we have a tall fridge freezer and also a chest freezer in the Garage. :-6

in the U.K they do the smaller trolleys now which i love cos you don't have to bend down to put shopping in

but only problem is if me and my mum go shopping we end up filling it and making it look like a huge mound :wah:

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:53 am

Surely you have to shop at least once a week anyway - things like milk, salad bread cannot last any longer than that at the outside.

I also prefer my meat and fish fresh rather than frozen so shop at least once a week and hardly use a freezer at all.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:27 am

mikeinie;729063 wrote: Or how about the fact that you need to put a coin in a shopping cart to get one, it always seems that you have every fecken coin your pocket except the one the cart needs!! Then when you go to plug the thing back in to get you coin back, some other fecker has come up with some original way of getting the cart in front of you so that the short chain on your cart with the lock thingy can’t reach the cart in front¦..

God I Hate Shopping!!! :-5:-5:-5

Me too, thats why i mostly do my shopping onlline now and have it delivered:D