AF_II

What distinguishes a pub from a bar?

Posted by Mindless-Resort-7548@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 194 comments

AF_II@reddit

I genuinely don't think you can come up with anything but a vibes-based test. I have places that are definitely bars, maybe even dive bars, near me (dark, small 35-30ppl and it's crowded, late night) that also do food (sometimes), focus on beer not cocktails, and are absolutely community hubs. And where do taprooms fit?

Meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans welcome. I need help... Is there anyone who manages to eat 5 fruits and 5 veggies A DAY?

Posted by CTre89@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 10 comments

AF_II@reddit

Veggie, and nope. I just don't eat that much fruit! Why would you aim for five of both? The normal guidance is 5-7 of fruit and veg as a single category, not separately (and I do manage that).

What is the consensus on going out alone?

Posted by Obvious_Goat_764@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 130 comments

AF_II@reddit

It is the most normal thing in the world. Anyone who thinks it is "odd" has led a sheltered life and tbh I'm a bit sorry for them. I travel abroad, eat, see movies, go to pubs and bars, museums, art galleries blah blah blah solo all the time. It is a non issue.

Do you think gyms should have a women's only section?

Posted by kcon123@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 221 comments

AF_II@reddit

This doesn't solve anything, and makes women more vulnerable. If there's a behavioural problem it needs to be *fixed* and the gym management need to stand up - it's not up to women to change their behaviour and go hide in a little safe space so the bros can keep doing their thing. It also often makes the situation worse (see the example of 'women only' carriages on public transport in other countires, where the outcome is that if a woman ends up in the 'wrong' carriage it's seen as practially an invitation for harassment - otherwise why's she in the 'man carriage'?). Men and women need to be able to function in public together, not segregated. Offer a few women only sessions and some men only sessions (because, fair) and then put the effort in to making sure the creeps get booted out immediately.

Does not wanting to buy from B&M make me a snob?

Posted by ANuggetEnthusiast@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 127 comments

AF_II@reddit

People don't know what the word snob means. It's not about where you shop or what you eat, it's about *how you think about and treat other people* If you point at someone's garden decoration and go "URGH bought at B&M what a cheap person they must be", you're a snob. But choosing not to buy *your* glow in the dark gnome there has nothing to do with snobbery.

How likely could Christianity’s status as UK’s official religion be called into question given the current rate of decline?

Posted by AchyutChaudhary@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 45 comments

AF_II@reddit

0 chance. Big religious interests are still very powerful in the UK - own a lot of land in some cases, simply own a lot of donation wealth in another (see the right wing anti-women evangelical movement that's doing a number on our government at the moment).

How many pubs do you have within a square mile?.

Posted by Various_Extreme_8773@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 60 comments

AF_II@reddit

Within a 10 min walk/half mile? Only one, but there's only ever been one in this area. Expand it to 20-30 mins and there are at least 12, and another 4 specialist craft beer bars. I'm probably missing a few that I don't visit as regularly.

How do you make your bolognese sauce?

Posted by FuckCazadors@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 9 comments

AF_II@reddit

That's a lot of extra vegetables for a bolognase, imo. dried soy mince, rehydrated in veg stock & juice from tin of toms. 1-2 tins of toms depending on how thirsty the mince is 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 large/2 small onions dried basil slug of: veggie worcestershire, red wine, tomato ketchup (or puree & pinch of sugar). fin.

What is the full meaning of the "w**ker" insult?

Posted by Aidamis@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 146 comments

AF_II@reddit

There is/used to be a stigma about masturbation, so saying someone does it is insulting/personal. Beyond that it's just overthinking. it's no deeper than saying "you do stinky shits" - it's probably true of all of us, doesn't mean we like to hear it or want to admit to it!

If you were made redundant today, what would be your next move, and how would the next few months look for you?

Posted by PaddedValls@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 75 comments

AF_II@reddit

Honestly I'd probably spend the first few months alternating between crying, screaming, and drinking. Financially we'd probably be OK - I've got enough savings to pay my half of the bills for a year or more and we've always lived well within our means so we'd cope. But longer term and personally it would be devastating: my industry is a 'no returns' one and has shed tens of thousands of jobs already so it means the career I devoted my entire life to is gone. It also means my pension is fucked beyond repair, they've screwed us over so badly on that that that 'quitting' the industry early means you might not even get back what you paid in. I can't imagine that I would be able to get another job which would make up the deficit (I've ~19 years to retirement). There's also so much ageism in the working world that I know it would be really hard for me to get a senior job without industry experience, and I'd likely be turned away for junior jobs because I'm "overqualified". grim, basically.

Does literally everyone have a ride or die football club?

Posted by Lower-Savings-794@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 58 comments

AF_II@reddit

There's a significant minority of people for whom it is an important and lifelong passion. There's a slightly bigger minority for whom it is a fun passtime and a shared interest to chat about with their mates and with strangers. Round those two groups is wrapped a lot of people (mostly men) who think they *ought* to care about football and who think it's important to socialisation so they pretend to care. The majority of people don't care, although some of us have learnt "polite football answers" for situations like when you're travelling overseas and everyone assumes you must be interested because it's such a stereotype.

Which european country would be the best to move to if leaving the UK?

Posted by Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 33 comments

AF_II@reddit

The answers you're going to get are absolutely worthless to you if you don't bother to give any useful information, e.g. 1. Do you have the right to live and work in any other countries 2. Do you have fluency in any languages, or family and friends overseas who can support and help you in the immigration process? 3. What's your vocation - do you have unusual and high level skills - does your current employer offer European opportunities? 4. How old are you? Are you going by yourself or with a family/dependents? If so, what ages? Elderly parents or young kids? Are you able to homeschool? etc.

What's the minimum time away for you to set your out of office auto reply?

Posted by HilariousMotives@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 52 comments

AF_II@reddit

If I'm away from emails for a week day I'll put the OOO on. Colleagues & externals aren't usually that demanding, but I do get students who'll send an email at 3am and then a follow up "omg did you see my email it's urgent" at 10am so if I don't have an OOO I'll come back to a chain of 10 increasingly panicked messages.

What's your least favourite type of social media content?

Posted by PaddedValls@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 72 comments

AF_II@reddit

Honestly, all videos. I hate them! I can't bear the flicking through of moving stuff on tiktok like you're flicking through channels, it makes me nauseous. And when a total stranger starts telling me stuff face to camera or in voice over? Who cares! Who are you! Get off my phone, demon! I am very old.

Have recent payrises made you feel better?

Posted by Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 92 comments

How long does a "leftover curry" last in your household?

Posted by Lps4thewin@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 110 comments

AF_II@reddit

I either immediately freeze it so there's no chance of snacking, or I make it into pasties and freeze them. So it can last months!

Why are jobs suddenly a issue within NHS?

Posted by Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 37 comments

AF_II@reddit

There is no way to answer this question factually without breaking rule 2 of the sub. It's a fairly obvious answer though. £.

What’s your approach to claiming expenses at work?

Posted by pinpoint321@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 184 comments

AF_II@reddit

> I'd be pushing back hard on that. The only time I've managed this is when I had funding from an external body who explicitly said I could use it for lunch. Even then I had a cap on the amount enforced by the finance team. TBH, we are in dispute over not having had a pay rise for 15 years, halving the value of our pensions, everyone's workload being at 100% or more, etc. "The expenses regime is mean" is item about 108 on the grievance list & you have to pick your battles. Anyway, fun in the ivory tower, ain't it!

What’s your approach to claiming expenses at work?

Posted by pinpoint321@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 184 comments

AF_II@reddit

I'm forbidden from expensing lunch (because in theory I would have bought/made it anyway at work). I have strict limits for other meals (£8 for breakfast, including in a hotel, £20 for dinner, no alcohol allowed). For travel and accommodation I have to ask permission, with an exact amount, in advance, so it's moot. I work at a university.

How Are People Affording £400k+ Houses?

Posted by PrincePxnnu1996@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 18 comments

How often do you buy take away food?

Posted by Various_Extreme_8773@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 175 comments

AF_II@reddit

>does you or your wife cook a good meal everyday? I don't have a wife but pretty much yes. We usually eat one 'takeout' meal (e.g. burgers, pizza, chinese, curry) a week although sometimes we eat in, and then a fancier dinner and on brunch-lunch out. But all the other meals are home made. We both WFH a couple of days a week which makes it easier, but we batch cook for things like packed lunches for work.

I loved the morning tea when traveling in the UK. What specific kind of tea can I buy in the US to best replicate the normal tea experience?

Posted by ial20@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 64 comments

AF_II@reddit

The big "normal" brands are Yorkshire, Tetley, PG Tips, and Twinings ( a lot of UK people dismiss Twinings for 'normal' tea but it is widely offered in hotels etc so that migh tbe what you had). All of these brands I've seen in the specialist/UK/"European foods" sections of bigger US grocery stores.

Can you express your opinion freely in the UK?

Posted by SZAWilling8868@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 47 comments

AF_II@reddit

So I was going to but these questions are leading and vague. "I change how I express my views depending on the audience." Well yes of COURSE I change *how* I do it depending on audience. I don't talk to my 7 year old nephew the same way I talk to a 400 person audience paying to see me speak. Changing *how* you express yourself is a basic human skill. Anyone saying they don't do that is lying. Likewise your questions don't distinguish between things like "I don't talk about Free Palestine because it's illegal" vs. "I don't talk about [nerdy political issue about agricultural policy] because it might get me fired" vs. "I choose not to express my belief that trans people should be burned alive because someone might be mean to me on bsky" vs. "I don't say anything about [famous novelist] being a rapist because there's this one weird reply guy who name searches and then writes endless comments and it's annoying" So, yeah, poor survey design.

Have you ever seen a (wild) snake in the UK?

Posted by Mundane-Topic-8214@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 429 comments

AF_II@reddit

Used to see grass snakes quite regularly in the garden/farmland where I grew up for most of my childhood. Hadn't seen one this century until last week when I caught a beautiful HUGE grasssnake napping in the sun in a bluebell wood. Hoped it was an adder given the location, but no, still haven't seen one of those (just the shed skin).

Fox is taking all the cats on my road, what can I do about that?

Posted by Different-Fan980@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 38 comments

AF_II@reddit

Because it demonises foxes. All the studies have shown that what kills urban cats is nearly always drivers, foxes occasionally scavenge a dead or severely injured cats. I'd ask "why are you so upset that people are suggesting you might have made a mistake" but it's clear you're not interested in changing your mind. Bye.

Fox is taking all the cats on my road, what can I do about that?

Posted by Different-Fan980@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 38 comments

AF_II@reddit

Was the cat fighting or just hanging? Was it roadkill? Because there's simply no way a fox - especially at this time of year when it has cubs to get back to - is going to fight a live cat to the death. 100% if you saw anything you saw a fox carrying its cubs from one location to another. Please stop spreading this harmful myth.

Fox is taking all the cats on my road, what can I do about that?

Posted by Different-Fan980@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 38 comments

AF_II@reddit

Shit like this is why our wildlife is in trouble. Someone sees something they don't understand and immediately says UGH gross kill it, it's vermin blah blah blah. You didn't see a fox "taking" cats. There's clearly a reason the rspca ignored you. But 1 or 2 people will see your disinformation and believe it. Great work. Slow clap.

Why are food options so limited in 2026 (still)?

Posted by Lopsided_Snower@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 40 comments

AF_II@reddit

>Savoury bananas would be a nice and handy touch They're called plantains. What nutrients are you missing? Potatoes are already pretty nutrient dense, good range of vitamins and minerals, etc. (the answer to your question is cost and market forces, usually big ag interests; there was a massive movement in the middle of the 20th C to do exactly what you say and come up with inventive new nutrient dense foods - either bred or chemically engineered - to 'feed the world' but it all turned out to be way too expensive to make it taste nice, plus most people like their traditional foods, which mostly grow out of the ground where they live without needing a laboratory to support them).

Why don't remote jobs let you travel?

Posted by thepastadance@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 26 comments

Those who make £100K+ a year, what do you do?

Posted by Maleficent-Bag-9916@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 114 comments

Do you picture the Easter Bunny as boy or girl bunny?

Posted by Alpaca_Tasty_Picnic@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 59 comments

Where are all the spiders?

Posted by Voltalox@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 43 comments

AF_II@reddit

I don't mind the spiders. When it's garden waste and I end up with a load of crickets it's another thing as those fuckers are hard to catch!

Where are all the spiders?

Posted by Voltalox@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 43 comments

AF_II@reddit

I think we've got all yours, it's been an absolute bumper year. Took a load of general waste to the tip in the car today and I've already had to remove six of them, all different sizes and shapes, from the hood liner.

Is the plan below for a 8 day relaxed roadtrip through scotland a good one?

Posted by Kv0837@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 18 comments

AF_II@reddit

>from AI, specifically ChatGPT. I know this is an easy shot but also: wow, why. What made you think this programme would have the technical skills to draw up an itinerary? How do you think it does that? How can predictive text realistically do this? Please, begging you, read a book. The rough guides to the UK/Britain/Scotland are great. Start there, get them from the library for free.

What could you buy after an hour with the new minimum wage?

Posted by cryptodizzle67@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 49 comments

AF_II@reddit

there's a place down the road that does a roti and a curry for £3.99, so lunch for three days. Or 2 days bus fare to work and a kitkat :/

What is your first impression when hearing the word "torch"?

Posted by GreenWhiteBlue86@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 55 comments

AF_II@reddit

> it is somehow wrong or immoral to recognize nasty sarcasm as nasty sarcasm. You're asking about cultural differences in language; maybe reflect a bit that sarcasm - and whether it's 'nasty' or 'lighthearted' - is also a cultural judgement before you assume you're being attacked? Just a thought.

Self-funded team building event after working hours. Is this the norm in the UK?

Posted by KeyJunket1175@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 38 comments

AF_II@reddit

No, not normal at all. Expecting you to spend your own money and your unpaid time doing work stuff is totally out of order (even if a lot of employers try to do it).

What does this sentence means ?

Posted by Low-Turnip1805@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 19 comments

AF_II@reddit

No. Read my comment again. You've missed a word out when you quoted it which changes the whole meaning. HIS version is "leave when you [she] leaves".

What does this sentence means ?

Posted by Low-Turnip1805@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 19 comments

AF_II@reddit

You've missed a word in your quote >"“The smarter option is just flip off when she *is* really ain’t it” I'll be honest, this is really agrammatical and hard to understand, but the logical meaning is "leave [flip off] when she is [when she leaves] ain't it [do you agree]"

Do you usually say 'SHRIMP' for the small shellfish and 'PRAWN' for the big one?

Posted by ksusha_lav@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 304 comments

AF_II@reddit

If Shrimp is good enough for [Mrs Beaton](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/10136/pg10136.html), it should be good enough for us ~200 years later...nothing american about it.

Do you usually say 'SHRIMP' for the small shellfish and 'PRAWN' for the big one?

Posted by ksusha_lav@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 304 comments

AF_II@reddit

Data point: grew up in the south east. Shrimp are the very small (size of a fingernail or less) ones usually eaten potted. Prawns are everything else up to about 2-3 inches when it becomes a 'king prawn' & isn't too fiddly to eat if presented with the shell on. There *is* a difference and if someone said 'prawn salad' and gave me shrimps I'd be disappointed.

What products do you avoid now?

Posted by stm2657@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 982 comments

AF_II@reddit

OK, as suspected that sounds like you have a specific agenda beyond the actual animal ethics; at least be honest about it if it isn't really about wellbeing, don't use the animals as an excuse if your main goal is to single out one culture to criticise.

What products do you avoid now?

Posted by stm2657@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 982 comments

AF_II@reddit

You'd have saved yourself some negative replies if you'd mentioned both (or all religious slaughter). When you single one out it doesn't look ethically motivated on first read.

What products do you avoid now?

Posted by stm2657@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 982 comments

Has anyone else been subjected to Halifax Bank UK data breach this morning?

Posted by Principle_Spinners@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 203 comments

AF_II@reddit

Looks like Lloyds' scheme to get big in fintech by [selling more customer data](https://www.ft.com/content/f32cd6ce-0c99-4180-a977-c2cb420159a3) is going great! /s

Are "cake sheds" regulated by the FSA?

Posted by Equal_Confusion7637@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 41 comments

AF_II@reddit

It's a grey area. If you are doing cake baking as a business then yes, you need to register your business & comply with hygiene rules. However, if it's not a business then you don't - otherwise anyone bringing cakes to a bake sale to raise money for the school would have to register as a business and get inspected. The definition is generally "infrequent and limited", but it's kinda up to the Local Authority to decide if some flapjacks in the summer season by the road counts or not. As a society we have turned a blind eye to people selling jams at the garden gate for a long time, so I suspect that unless they're very obvously taking the piss, advertising, selling year round, etc. then LAs aren't that interested in cracking down.

Long term renters what’s you plan for retirement?

Posted by Significant-War-491@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 526 comments

AF_II@reddit

co-housing. I sort-of joke about being entrepreneurial with it but I genuinely think there is a market for people in our age bracket (45-55) to start thinking about cheap cooperative living, but we need to find a slick marketing term for it that doesn't make everyone think of stale retirement homes.

Long term renters what’s you plan for retirement?

Posted by Significant-War-491@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 526 comments

AF_II@reddit

What are you doing to ensure you've the right to retire overseas? (genuine Q, it'd be interesting to know how people on low(er) incomes/without savings are planning for it).

Should I tell my employer I am pregnant just to get lighter duties at work?

Posted by EggsToYourWindows@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 26 comments

Have you used an airport lounge, was it worth it?

Posted by they-muck-about@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 335 comments

AF_II@reddit

They're not that luxurious or exclusive? Entry usually in the £30-50 ballpark, less if you book early, find vouchers, have discounts with your credit card etc. Whether it's worth it depends on which lounge and your exact circumstances. If I'm going to be stuck somewhere for >2 hours and/or transfering after a very long and tiring flight then I consider it. Most have free food and drink so if they save you buying a meal in an airport that about halves the price - the quesiton then is whether you're willing to spend the additional £10-20 to have a comfy seat, easy access to a charger, and a slightly less frenetic place. Check the reviews first, they're all quite different.