It seems to be every other month or so at this point that Americans take to social media to express their shock or disgust at something quintessentially British.
Within just the past year alone, the internet erupted when Americans had a few choice words to say about our classic fry-up breakfasts – and even tried to recreate their own – and then over on Reddit, Americans just couldn’t seem to believe their eyes when they discovered what British “face meats” were – also known as Billy Bear Ham to us.
The shock and disgust is a two way street though.
We can’t go forgetting the American mother-daughter TikTok duo that caused havoc last summer with their “hot tea / British tea” and “beans on toast” recipes, can we?
So, what’s next then? What British phenomenon is it that our friends overseas just can’t seem to wrap their heads around this month?
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Jacket potatoes.
Like most pointless Britain vs America debates nowadays, it all started on Twitter, and more specifically, it all started with a tweet by American TV personality, Chrissy Teigen – who is fairly well-versed in British culture by being a known Gogglebox fan and famously having a Twitter meltdown after finding herself watching Naked Attraction by accident a couple of years back – so it only seems fitting that she would be the one to instigate this.
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Teigen simply took to Twitter to say that she “just learned about jacket potatoes” – and it all kicked off from there.
You’re not alone if your first thought here was to question how Americans could have never heard of the staple meal that is a jacket potato before.
Where have they been?
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With over 2.9K retweets, 24K likes and thousands of comments though, it’s safe to say that the concept of a jacket potato has not only taken Americans by surprise, but has shocked us Brits all the same, just on the other end of the spectrum.
What’s probably even more shocking though, is that Americans don’t seem to be too keen.
I am reporting this to the FBI anyone eating this is a certified psycho path
This is literally one of the most common dishes in the UK? Not sure what to eat for lunch? Jacket potato. Wanting comfort food? Jacket potato. Need a side for your meal but you don't want fries? Jacket potato!
While it’s mostly just been a back-and-forth debate with the two sides not being able to come to terms with the others’ point of view, many have, however, been quick to jump on the fact that Americans do have a similar concept, but instead call them ‘baked potatoes’, which is a phrase most of us have likely heard of over here too.
The main bone of contention here seems to be the toppings / what us Brits like to put with our jacket potatoes, which we can probably all agree, is the best bet.
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They just don’t know what they’re missing, do they?
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
24th March 2021 
