Net Weight in Pounds
Wednesday, September 26. 2007
Despite being a former Subject of Her Lizness, the intervals between my visits to England's[1] green and pleasant shores (always wondered about the "green" bit though, do they paint the sand or something?) have grown increasingly long, but my diary informs me I have an appointment with Air Cheap'O'Jet at the crack of dawn tomorrow: so it's time to dig out the shoebox full of forrin currencies and - just to be on the safe side - verify that my weighty collection of regally decorated coins and notes is still legal tender. And to see if any new ones have appeared in the meantime, because it's happened more than once that I've been handed some item of specie in change (the 2 pound coin comes to mind) and had to look at it very suspiciously and / or interrogate the cashier as to its validity.[1] usual disclaimer: I am using "England" in its German sense, though the weekend will probably see me gambolling with the sheep amongst the bracken of the Welsh borders.
Anyway, if the Internet can be relied upon, it appears there is a new 20 pound note featuring the arch-enemy of my left-wing A-level economics tutor, Adam Smith. I have also verified that the 5 pound note, which according to my memory has a picture of Stephenson's Rocket on it, is no longer in use, or even acceptable to anyone apart from the Bank of England, which is a great disappointment because I feel it represented one of the last high-water marks of British railway technology.
Fortunately the two 5 pound notes in my possession appear to be of recent vintage, but if you'll allow me to rant a little here, why are British bank notes always so grotty? And why do people used them to do calculations with? And moreover, why are the coins so bloody heavy? And when will the 2p finally be phased out? I'm sure Britain could meet half of its carbons emmissions targets just by introducing lighter coinage, thereby cutting down on weight that needs to be transported about.
So, here's hoping that over the next few days the trains are running properly (or at least running), there's no tube strike, and there are no devastating floods / terrorist alerts / outbreaks of mad foot disease. Oh yes, if someone could solve the McCann case by late tonight, I'd be very grateful.
Update: Safety fears halt Tube services...
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I think there's a new tenner and a new 20-pound note. The half-pence has gone. And guineas are frowned upon, apart from in that pub in Islington where they still do pounds, shillings and pence. The fifty-pence piece is smaller than once it was, as is the 5p. Erm, and you'll need a million pounds to buy anything. Good luck!
You know, I've always wondered what a guinea was (apart from my current vague mental record which is "a sort of old money"), fortunately the Internet knows more than I do and tells me it was 21 shillings, a Britishly quaint amount.
Have you legally become a German?
I was seriously thinking of doing the same.. as these days I really feel foreign when on British Territory..
If only I could get rid of my London accent so quickly...Which of course I don't have in German.. another reason to stay here.
I was amused by the comments on "English" money.. I think the reason paper money is so grotty in the UK is because most brits don't use what we call "Portmonnaies".. they just screw the notes up in their pockets.
When I was a kid, all what was then termed as "luxury" goods were priced in guineas (Furniture, Fridges, good suits and good shoes as well as cars and holidays..... It was an extra to make the well off think they were something better because they paid more.
So if a Sofa cost 51gns, a Fridge 36gns and a tablecloth 12/11, the bill came to: ₤53/11/0 plus ₤37/16/0 plus 9/11 = ₤91/19/11
I was seriously thinking of doing the same.. as these days I really feel foreign when on British Territory..
If only I could get rid of my London accent so quickly...Which of course I don't have in German.. another reason to stay here.
I was amused by the comments on "English" money.. I think the reason paper money is so grotty in the UK is because most brits don't use what we call "Portmonnaies".. they just screw the notes up in their pockets.
When I was a kid, all what was then termed as "luxury" goods were priced in guineas (Furniture, Fridges, good suits and good shoes as well as cars and holidays..... It was an extra to make the well off think they were something better because they paid more.
So if a Sofa cost 51gns, a Fridge 36gns and a tablecloth 12/11, the bill came to: ₤53/11/0 plus ₤37/16/0 plus 9/11 = ₤91/19/11
Hoped someone would pick that up. No, I'm not German, but it's a little-known fact that anyone born "British" (and other Commonwealth nationals) up until 1983 was a "Subject" of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha dynasty. The British Nationality Act 1981 liberated us as "citizens" while sneakily changing the rules to keep out the natives from the remaining Crown Colonies (I think the looming return of Hong Kong might have been behind this).
However, I recently found out that citizens of certain EU countries (including the UK) can retain their UK nationality should they choose to teutonise themselves. I shall be looking into it.
However, I recently found out that citizens of certain EU countries (including the UK) can retain their UK nationality should they choose to teutonise themselves. I shall be looking into it.
Im Übrigen:
that lot of coins and note on the photo might just about buy you a cup of
L-a-h-r-t-e-e in London...
that lot of coins and note on the photo might just about buy you a cup of
L-a-h-r-t-e-e in London...
"However, I recently found out that citizens of certain EU countries (including the UK) can retain their UK nationality should they choose to teutonise themselves."
You can retain your UK nationality if you become German? Surely you'd have to drop it, to get the German nationality, and then re-apply for the British nationality (and hope the Germans never find out). Though I have met various Germans who curiously do also have British citizenship (their partly-British parents seemed to have applied for a passport for their children once somehow)....
You can retain your UK nationality if you become German? Surely you'd have to drop it, to get the German nationality, and then re-apply for the British nationality (and hope the Germans never find out). Though I have met various Germans who curiously do also have British citizenship (their partly-British parents seemed to have applied for a passport for their children once somehow)....
Dat's what I though all these years, but it seems there is a legal option available without going through the process you describe (which caused a lot of problems a few years ago for many Turks who thought they could do just that). Unfortunately the info is on my other computer, which has just decided to go on strike.
Anyway, why would anyone want to go about getting German citzenship? American citizenship has some attractions (like letting you live and work in the USA), but German citizenship? First I'd like to "move" somewhere for a short period where the British Embassy doesn't use biometrics when issuing passports. Germany and Austria are crossed of the list of possible countries already....
Ach, you mean this:
"Gibt es für EU-Bürger eine spezielle Regelung?
Im Hinblick auf das Ziel der fortschreitenden europäischen Integration hat der Gesetzgeber eine spezielle Regelung getroffen: Bei Unionsbürgern wird nicht verlangt, dass sie vor der Einbürgerung in Deutschland ihre bisherige Staatsangehörigkeit aufgeben, wenn der andere EU-Mitgliedstaat im Gegenzug bei Einbürgerung von Deutschen ebenso verfährt. Deutschen, die sich in einem EU-Mitgliedstaat einbürgern lassen, wird über eine Genehmigung nach § 25 Abs. 2 des Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetzes gestattet, die deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit beizubehalten (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung).
Diese Regelung findet aktuell in Bezug auf die EU-Staaten Belgien, Finnland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Großbritannien, Irland, Italien, Malta, Polen, Portugal, Rumänien, Schweden, die Slowakische Republik, Ungarn und Zypern Anwendung, bei den Niederlanden und bei Slowenien nur auf bestimmte Personengruppen. "
Bundesministerium des Innern
"Gibt es für EU-Bürger eine spezielle Regelung?
Im Hinblick auf das Ziel der fortschreitenden europäischen Integration hat der Gesetzgeber eine spezielle Regelung getroffen: Bei Unionsbürgern wird nicht verlangt, dass sie vor der Einbürgerung in Deutschland ihre bisherige Staatsangehörigkeit aufgeben, wenn der andere EU-Mitgliedstaat im Gegenzug bei Einbürgerung von Deutschen ebenso verfährt. Deutschen, die sich in einem EU-Mitgliedstaat einbürgern lassen, wird über eine Genehmigung nach § 25 Abs. 2 des Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetzes gestattet, die deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit beizubehalten (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung).
Diese Regelung findet aktuell in Bezug auf die EU-Staaten Belgien, Finnland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Großbritannien, Irland, Italien, Malta, Polen, Portugal, Rumänien, Schweden, die Slowakische Republik, Ungarn und Zypern Anwendung, bei den Niederlanden und bei Slowenien nur auf bestimmte Personengruppen. "
Bundesministerium des Innern
That's the one. Well, the one of the advantages of citizenship, for me at least, is that I'd finally have a say in what happens to my tax money (i.e. have the choice of not voting for one of the established parties at state and national elections). And it might be practical should I lose one passport and need to travel urgently, or whatever. We shall see...
Ok, I could make yet another ballot paper invalid and not just the ones in the (pointless) BVV (council)- and Euroelections. But is that worth the vast wads of money they want for the privilege?
Haven't looked into how much it costs, but one has to have ones eccentric hobbies.
My eccentric hobby in this respect is, every 4 years (is it 4?), going to the polling station, being handed 3 ballot papers - after much confusion re. my foreign passport (or even any passport as opposed to an Ausweis), even though they're only meant to give me 1 paper, me going into the cubicle, crossing them all out and then going back towards the ballot box, where they check my particulars again and say "You can only use one of these. We'll have to make the other two invalid". I say "I've already done it for you and show them my "party of choice" (i.e. none of them). They look confused.
A few years ago I realised that spoilt ballot papers don't get counted in Germany, as the total sum of the percentages of 'correct' votes is always 100%. So my trips to the polling stations have been even more pointless than they would have otherwise been.
Anyway, the main advantage of a German passport over a British one is that the outsides are still made of linen-bound cardboard, are bound properly, and don't fall to bits after being used 4 times. On the other hand, they only last 5 years and cost a lot of money.
A few years ago I realised that spoilt ballot papers don't get counted in Germany, as the total sum of the percentages of 'correct' votes is always 100%. So my trips to the polling stations have been even more pointless than they would have otherwise been.
Anyway, the main advantage of a German passport over a British one is that the outsides are still made of linen-bound cardboard, are bound properly, and don't fall to bits after being used 4 times. On the other hand, they only last 5 years and cost a lot of money.
Who,What,FAQ
Who
Mount Penguin is technically British, but has lived in Berlin for like yonks.
What
This is a blog of odd stuff he comes across in everyday life, etc. Bit of a lucky dip really.
FAQ
I did originally intend to put together what one day might be the ultimate Berlin FAQ. Due to global warming that hasn't yet happened, but nevertheless if you have any questions about Berlin, feel free to ask them here and I'll see if I can find an answer...
Meanwhile...
Do come and visit my other blog where there's likely to be more hot penguin action.
Comments
about IKEA Shelving Festival!
Thu, 20.11.2008 12:17
Deutschland-Schweden Out of Europe "Best" war ein N ordallianz ml Europa, Russland und Japan (große Kriege [...]
Thu, 20.11.2008 12:17
Deutschland-Schweden Out of Europe "Best" war ein N ordallianz ml Europa, Russland und Japan (große Kriege [...]
about Penguin's Autumn Sale
Tue, 28.10.2008 15:51
Yes indeedy. There's one tomor row (Wednesday), at Osswald, w hich I'm not sure I can make t hough. But I'll keep you [...]
Tue, 28.10.2008 15:51
Yes indeedy. There's one tomor row (Wednesday), at Osswald, w hich I'm not sure I can make t hough. But I'll keep you [...]
about Penguin's Autumn Sale
Tue, 21.10.2008 20:45
Dear Mr. Penguin, I think I kn ow someone who could do with t hat chest-of-drawers, and mayb e the fridge. I'll get b [...]
Tue, 21.10.2008 20:45
Dear Mr. Penguin, I think I kn ow someone who could do with t hat chest-of-drawers, and mayb e the fridge. I'll get b [...]
about Notice of Blog Suspension
Fri, 07.03.2008 14:42
I don't know what you're smoki ng, but I'm sure a lot of peop le would be interested to find out.
Fri, 07.03.2008 14:42
I don't know what you're smoki ng, but I'm sure a lot of peop le would be interested to find out.
about Notice of Blog Suspension
Fri, 07.03.2008 12:28
HOW DO YOU DO… BEING A BERLIN ER Wanna swastika shaped be er mug? Like climbing walls? Stay in the UK Histo [...]
Fri, 07.03.2008 12:28
HOW DO YOU DO… BEING A BERLIN ER Wanna swastika shaped be er mug? Like climbing walls? Stay in the UK Histo [...]
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Sat, 01.03.2008 14:31
I hope the squids and whales d idn't get you. It's March 1st and there is a distinct lack o f blogs.
Sat, 01.03.2008 14:31
I hope the squids and whales d idn't get you. It's March 1st and there is a distinct lack o f blogs.
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Mon, 11.02.2008 12:50
Welcome in your new job as the Japanese Ambassador to Blackp ool... eh lass, let's go üü p tüüer..
Mon, 11.02.2008 12:50
Welcome in your new job as the Japanese Ambassador to Blackp ool... eh lass, let's go üü p tüüer..
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:11
Hmm, yesterday I went past whe re the whale place was but for got to look out for it. I'll l et you all know in the r [...]
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:11
Hmm, yesterday I went past whe re the whale place was but for got to look out for it. I'll l et you all know in the r [...]
about There's nothing like the taste of home
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:02
....and hope you enjoy the "sc ientific" whale steaks!.
Sun, 10.02.2008 23:02
....and hope you enjoy the "sc ientific" whale steaks!.
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:06
The fish contains soya sauce. You can buy them for a few cen ts at the Asian supermarket in the Alexanderhaus on Al [...]
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:06
The fish contains soya sauce. You can buy them for a few cen ts at the Asian supermarket in the Alexanderhaus on Al [...]
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:03
Nope, made the plane - but onl y just due to late departure f rom Tegel (a broken-down airpl ane tug) and Charles de [...]
Sat, 09.02.2008 21:03
Nope, made the plane - but onl y just due to late departure f rom Tegel (a broken-down airpl ane tug) and Charles de [...]
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Sat, 09.02.2008 01:25
What's in the fish? Is it perhaps Whalemeat juice?? Gathered of course, under "lab oratory conditions" and [...]
Sat, 09.02.2008 01:25
What's in the fish? Is it perhaps Whalemeat juice?? Gathered of course, under "lab oratory conditions" and [...]
about Cheesecake at 30,000 feet
Fri, 08.02.2008 22:26
Nein, nein, no comprendo. Blog ging? From a PLANE? No, you mi ssed the flight, didn't you?
Fri, 08.02.2008 22:26
Nein, nein, no comprendo. Blog ging? From a PLANE? No, you mi ssed the flight, didn't you?
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