Glad to be of service Clay! I read the bookwhen it came out but I wasn’t aware it was a true story until a few years later. It is pretty much what you would expect from us Brits. The important thing to remember is that it isn’t a case of being too polite to say anything, it is that we are just not brought up to deal with such a situation. Douglas Adams was a great guy by all accounts although I wouldn’t have wanted to be his editor; he once said he loved deadlines, especially the whooshing sound they made as they went past!
This is hilarious. I'm American but have been to England a few times. For me, the epitome of Britishness are the lyrics in Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON and THE WALL. Particularly the line, "Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way..." (from the song, "Time")
Great story... the only thing that seems odd to me (an Australian and a big Douglas Adams fan) is the use of the word "cookies"?? It's so utterly American! (As opposed to 'biscuits' which is the Australian and [I thought] British term.)
I read the book so long ago I can't remember... I suppose it must be right if you're quoting directly from the text.
You are absolutely correct about the use of the word “cookies”, and I did notice that. It is a direct quote from Adams’ website so I can only assume that it was edited for the American market, since “a packet of biscuits” would be a very odd concept for a Septic.
I’m pretty sure he uses “biscuits” when he relates it as fiction in the book, though.
This is so marvelous! Never heard this story, but I'm having the biggest laugh of the day. RIP Douglas Adams.
Glad to be of service Clay! I read the bookwhen it came out but I wasn’t aware it was a true story until a few years later. It is pretty much what you would expect from us Brits. The important thing to remember is that it isn’t a case of being too polite to say anything, it is that we are just not brought up to deal with such a situation. Douglas Adams was a great guy by all accounts although I wouldn’t have wanted to be his editor; he once said he loved deadlines, especially the whooshing sound they made as they went past!
This is hilarious. I'm American but have been to England a few times. For me, the epitome of Britishness are the lyrics in Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON and THE WALL. Particularly the line, "Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way..." (from the song, "Time")
I Love the British
Some of them are OK!
Great story... the only thing that seems odd to me (an Australian and a big Douglas Adams fan) is the use of the word "cookies"?? It's so utterly American! (As opposed to 'biscuits' which is the Australian and [I thought] British term.)
I read the book so long ago I can't remember... I suppose it must be right if you're quoting directly from the text.
You are absolutely correct about the use of the word “cookies”, and I did notice that. It is a direct quote from Adams’ website so I can only assume that it was edited for the American market, since “a packet of biscuits” would be a very odd concept for a Septic.
I’m pretty sure he uses “biscuits” when he relates it as fiction in the book, though.
Aha, that makes sense. I believe, to an American, the word 'biscuit' is used to describe what we would call a 'scone'...