He ought to know, after all, and we as German tourists know it too. We had barely gone beyond elementary school when well-meaning educators instilled in us two bits of basic information. Now, the tourist in us is on the prowl - looking for the real England untouched by the continental sway, for the England of umbrellas and High Teas. The first few days after our channel crossing, it still looks like we might succeed in our mission.
Umbrellas are nowhere to be seen.
Even in the colorfully arranged department stores, this quintessential item has been banished to dim corners. On the other hand, we are wowed by long shelves generously adorned with Italian Espresso makers, and a variety of South American coffees. On the search for traces of undying British tea traditions we unexpectedly strike gold - or pottery, as the case may be. The latter are remarkable for their combination of witty linguistics and a sentimental devotion to the recipient. The 1775 slogan may have had its desired effect only a scant decade later, in 1784.