— or rather, "fish'n'chips" — is another essential experience for the visitor. Britain is an island and eating fish reminds us of our practical and spiritual dependence on the sea. The chips symbolise our people: no two chips are the same, but we are united because we are all cut from the same bag of potatoes, all deep-fried in the same oil.

A fish and chip supper is the oldest fast food take-away in Britain, perhaps in the world. The visitor should ask for cod or haddock, the fish of choice for any true Brit. (Also he should hurry up as these species are practically extinct.) The fish comes dipped in batter, a mixture of flour, egg and milk. When it is dropped into the hot fat the batter acts as a sponge absorbing the maximum amount of fat and so making it nice and juicy. A traditional fish fryer will wrap your order in yesterday's newspaper. Before wrapping, he will ask: "Salt and vinegar?" to which you should reply "Yes, please!"

This supper should be eaten almost immediately, with the fingers, walking along the street, preferably in the dark, and with a light drizzle falling. Do NOT take the fish & chips home, empty them onto a plate and eat them with cutlery. This is not the British way.





Expressions to learn
Frying tonight!

Avoid saying
Vinegar? Yuk!