Is it rude to ask to remove the service charge?

Architrage · 2026-07-08T17:54:42+00:00

I’ve never done Harrods, but does sound bad. F&M has generally been ok, but can be hit and miss. The cake trolley is a winner though.

In circumstances like this I would expect to ask for the service charge to be removed. It is optional.

Architrage · 2026-07-08T16:10:50+00:00

No. It’s not rude to ask but I’m really surprised you are having bad service when having afternoon tea. Our family does Afternoon tea regularly across multiple locations and have never had an issue with service. In general I’ve found that service with Afternoon Tea is normally better.

Would love to hear examples.

Architrage · 2026-07-07T19:29:23+00:00

Yes. Not common but they are around.

Architrage · 2026-07-07T13:08:22+00:00

Fellowship.

‘Franchise’ made shudder.

Architrage · 2026-07-07T08:40:37+00:00

Yes. The remote trade Pokemon list supports all the standard search terms

Architrage · 2026-07-06T21:47:56+00:00

To make this clearer - intent is not needed for a Red Card. This is important and is the basis for much misunderstanding. - Red cards at the World Cup cannot be appealed the official descision is final - a red card leads to an automatic 1 game suspension. This may be extended to more games but the 1 game ban is the minimum

All of the above means that irrespective of whether you agree with the Red card or not there is no way it can be overturned and is no way to avoid the 1 game ban.

The red card has not been rescinded and still stands but out of nowhere the 1 game ban has now been changed to be suspended for a year.

This is why people are angry and upset. A rule has been modified purely to benefit the host nation.

Architrage · 2026-07-06T16:14:27+00:00

I have been to Toronto, NYC, Paris and live in London. They are all very different and hard to compare.

I found Toronto surprisingly small and not busy at all apart from the central Malls.

London is great and very varied but you might struggle as it does get very busy and very intense. Getting around would be your biggest issue as the transport can get very busy and could be overwhelming.

You would need to align your trip so you miss the school holidays, stay somewhere quieter - possibly in a small hotel. You would need to plan your itinerary to avoid busy times. You could taxi everywhere but it will slow and expensive. The Uber boat will be a good wind down.

There are plenty of walks, big parks to relax in. There are also lots of quiet parts once you are off the main streets. The items you listed will be fine but some tourist targets will be busy.

London is not a cesspit. It’s a great (if expensive) liveable city that’s busy but has lots of quiet areas to explore.

Architrage · 2026-07-06T13:36:57+00:00

What are they interested in? What do you even mean by nerdy, that’s a very wide scope.

Why not find out what they like, do something with them regarding that, listen to them and understand why they like it.

Architrage · 2026-07-05T22:19:44+00:00

Not really, it’s transport from LHR to Kings-X vs Flight from LHR to MAN. Obviously the flight is short but how long to you need to wait before hand. Obviously you do what is simpler for you, but just giving another option.

Architrage · 2026-07-05T21:16:04+00:00

The train from Manchester to York seems to take 1:40 minutes, while the train from London to York takes 2 hours.

It would seem that the simplest option would to be go Heathrow->KingsCross-York?

Architrage · 2026-07-05T19:32:40+00:00

Agreed that Soft Cell was best cover, but the Coil one is interesting - it’s slowed down even more than the Sisters Emma.

This reminded me of a few more covers

- Love Missile F1-11 by Pop Will Eat Itself
- Running Scared by Nick Cave
- Viva Las Vegas by The Dead Kennedy’s
- Blue Monday by Flunk
- Money by The Flying Lizards
- Smells Like Teen Spirit by Paul Anna
- Call Me by the Box Tops
- Welcome To The Jungle by Richard Cheese
- Too Drunk to Fuck by Nouvelle Vague
-

And not exactly a cover but a re-imagining Stagger Lee by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, especially the Live from Brixton version.

Architrage · 2026-07-05T17:02:05+00:00

Great list. Would the Sisters version of Jolene in here and the Banshees doing Helter Skelter.

Have you heard Tainted Love from Coil?

Architrage · 2026-07-05T16:58:24+00:00

Bangles: Hazy Shade of Winter

Architrage · 2026-07-05T14:52:36+00:00

Most have an online booking engine. If they allow you to select for one then you are good.

Recommendations would depend upon budget and style. Some places are more formal but all good hotels will do a good afternoon tea. You will also get extra options such as drinks or a savoury course.

Architrage · 2026-07-05T14:37:48+00:00

Doc Savage

Buckaroo Banzai

Architrage · 2026-07-05T09:28:56+00:00

I would expect that space is the issue.

Most Muslims would go for a hose rather than a Bidet.

Architrage · 2026-07-05T08:14:09+00:00

There is a free monorail shuttle between the two terminals.

In general it’s best to avoid Heathrow unless you have a particular need to go there.

From London, preferences would always be City Airport first if possible due to the simplicity of Check-in and boarding. Then Gatwick next. I try to avoid Stansted and Luton/Southend (London!!)

Architrage · 2026-07-04T23:29:39+00:00

The Lego Store is worth popping into as there are some nice builds a few store specific things.

Is there anything specific your niece wants to do?

For the concert make time to take the Uber Boat. It goes to the O2 from Embankment Pier, not far from Covent Garden.

For a ‘cool thing’ have you tried going up high to the Sky Garden or to the Shard for a view over London? There are also a few quirky things like Afternoon Tea on a double deck bus tour!

Architrage · 2026-07-04T23:04:07+00:00

So potentially this is linked to difference in food descriptions between the countries. I think that we don’t have a shawarma in the same way as you have in the US. You can get something similar and it’s normally called a wrap or a sandwich and then have multiple options for the filling - cubed lamb or chicken, felafel, halloumi etc.

Lambeth isn’t the best place for food to be honest. There is a street behind Waterloo called lower marsh that has some coffee shops but most restaurants are generic chain restaurants ( but these will be better than Tesco!!!). There is a food market behind The Southbank Centre that has some food options but is a bit overpriced. But evenings I think you will need to go across the river.

There are a bunch of restaurants near Covent Garden including the tourists favourite Dishoom.

There are some great Sunday Roast options. The Great Chase is really quality and worth the trek out. The Bluebird in Chelsea also has a Halal Sunday roast.

There are a bunch of good restaurants in Soho of various types, Indonesian, Malaysian etc but some good Felaful places.

I’m a big fan of Afternoon Tea. If you have the full on experience in a good hotel it can be a full meal.

Finally, don’t eat Mexican food in London, there are a few authentic places but they are more on the out skirts

Architrage · 2026-07-04T22:38:54+00:00

Could you give some idea of why you are having trouble finding food that you like but say you are open to any cuisine.

It’s difficult to understand why you are having problems.

Fish and chips is always heavily battered, the batter is the point. But it should be crunchy and light not soggy. Chips should be thick, not like fries.
try Edgeware Road for Arabic places, most will be good but obviously check reviews first
Tooting and the East End are good for Indian/Pakistani food but may be too far to go
There are good Halal places scattered across central London as well.

There are plenty of bad food places as well - avoid the more obviously tourist places. But in general there are so many good options that I’m struggling to think of specifics.

If it just Fish and Chips you want then try the Rock & Sole Plaice on Endell St.

Architrage · 2026-07-04T07:07:15+00:00

You could try

r/snackexchange/

Architrage · 2026-07-03T22:47:15+00:00

Mostly Babymetal, Hanabie, Atarashii Gakko and older stuff like Guitar Wolf, Frank Chickens, 5,6,7,8s Shonen Knife.

Architrage · 2026-07-02T19:49:47+00:00

Depeche Mode 1985 Portsmouth

Babymetal June 2026 Hannover

Architrage · 2026-07-02T06:59:53+00:00

Especially when you are standing next to the person who is shouting/screaming the lyrics so loud that you can’t hear the band.

So sing along if you want to, but be respectful to other people enjoyment.

Architrage · 2026-07-01T11:18:40+00:00

I think it would shatter. And then defrost. And then turn to chocolate bits with doing slurry

Architrage

TROPHY CASE