With rolling hills, lush green forests, dramatic moorland, stunning coastlines, and spa towns, and historical cities, Yorkshire is a county that really does have it all. It also happened to be the setting for the hit movie ‘The Full Monty’ which, as you probably know, is a classic.
There’s a reason Yorkshire is known as ‘God’s Own County’ and there’s a reason why Yorkshiremen and women and fiercely loyal to their home county.
Now, as a non-UK native, I’ve not been to Yorkshire as much as I would have liked to have been over the years, though upon my return, you can rest assured that I will be changing that.
Despite not having visited loads, when I have visited, I’ve enjoyed myself immensely, especially considering the countryside has been amongst the nicest I’ve seen anywhere in the world, let alone in the UK.
The last time I visited, however, I did make the foolish mistake of ordering a ‘hot pot’ wrongly believing it to be a Yorkshire dish. Upon being informed of my mistake and apologising profusely, I decided to look at a few other things never to say to a Yorkshire native.
Here’s a look at se7en things I’ve found out.
Yorkshire puddings don’t belong on a roast dinner
In reality, anybody who thinks that Yorkshire puddings don’t belong on a roast dinner is wrong, at least in my opinion because they’re one of the best bits.
If you want to tick off a Yorkshireman or woman, though, if they offer you a Yorkshire pudding with your roast dinner, you don’t just say ‘yes please’ you ask for one more.
Yorkshire puddings are synonymous with Yorkshire (shock horror) though in reality they’re enjoyed with roast dinners all over the country as well. In fact, Yorkshire puddings also make fantastic wraps, plus they’re amazing as desserts when served with jam. No, really, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
As for the ‘Yorkshire puddings aren’t necessary on Christmas dinner debate’ let’s not even go there.
I prefer PG Tips to Yorkshire Tea
There are two kinds of people in the world – Those who believe that Yorkshire Tea is the best tea in the world, and those who are wrong. At least, that’s what a Yorkshire native will say.
To be fair, Yorkshire Tea is indeed a delicious beverage and is one of the most popular brands of tea in the entire world.
If you really want to get under the skin of a Yorkshire native, when offered a cup of Yorkshire Tea, turn it down and as for PG Tips instead. To add insult to injury, PG Tips comes from Greater Manchester, which is from Lancashire, and we all know that Yorkshire and Lancashire are fierce rivals, right?
I was in Lancashire last week and preferred it there
If you’ve got a death wish, by all means, tell a Yorkshireman that you think Lancashire is better.
Though we laugh about the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire, the rivalry all stems from the Wars of the Roses, which pitted House Lancaster against House York. It was the red rose of Lancashire vs the white rose of Yorkshire.
These series of civil wars for control of the throne of England, raged for more than 32 years, with an estimated 20,000 people sadly losing their lives.
York emerged victoriously, and while Lancashire and Yorkshire are at least civil nowadays, the rivalry is still there, especially with the cricket.
Sean Bean isn’t a good actor
Blasphemy!
To tell a Yorkshire native that Sean Bean isn’t a great actor, would be like telling a film critic that Marlon Brando wasn’t a talented actor.
Sean Bean, best known for his role as ‘Sharpe’ and as Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark in Game of Thrones, is a Yorkshire treasure.
Sean Bean, who hails from Handsworth, Sheffield, is a Hollywood movie star who has starred alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, in some of the most popular movies and TV shows of all time. He also has a reputation for dying on screen very regularly.
The only Yorkshire natives who may agree with people that don’t rate Sean Bean, are Sheffield Wednesday Football Club supporters, as Sean Bean is a lifelong Sheffield United supporter.
On the subject of famous Yorkshire actors, Sir Patrick Stewart, who hails from Huddersfield, and Brian Blessed who comes from Mexborough, are also Yorkshire legends who are off-limits.
Lend me a fiver
Yorkshiremen and women are notoriously tight with their money, so asking to borrow money from one would be like trying to get blood from a stone.
Yorkshire folk love a bargain, and if they can save money they will, and if they can get away with spending money, they will.
Unless it’s an absolute emergency, don’t bother asking to borrow money off a Yorkshire native, as you’ll be wasting your time.
Got any Worcester sauce?
Another guaranteed way to find yourself about as popular as a butcher at a vegan convention, is to ask a Yorkshire native if they’ve any Worcester sauce.
Worcestershire sauce, specifically, Lea and Perrins, is a sauce which, according to the majority of Yorkshire folk, especially those from Sheffield, is notoriously inferior to Henderson’s Relish, which is brewed in Sheffield and has been for more than a century.
Henderson’s Relish, better known in Yorkshire as Hendo’s is a staple in kitchen cupboards all across the county, and for good reason too.
Henderson’s Relish, which has the tagline ‘Strong and Northern’ goes great with homemade chips, pies, stews, cheese on toast, as well as gravy.
I fancy a day at the seaside, let’s go to Blackpool
No, no, no!
Everybody in Yorkshire knows that if you want to go to the seaside, you make your way to the North Yorkshire coast.
North Yorkshire is home to some stunning seaside locations, including Robin Hood’s Bay, Filey, Sandsend, Saltburn-by-the-sea, Scarborough, Bridlington, and my personal favourite, Whitby.
Blackpool may have the illuminations and a theme park, but as it’s located in Lancashire, it’s instantly off-limits for many a Yorkshireman and woman.
Why go to Blackpool and visit a theme park when you can visit North Yorkshire’s Flamingo Land theme park, before making your way over to the coast and enjoying the best fish and chips you could ever wish for?
Have you ever said one of those seven things to a Yorkshiremen or women? Now you know, you are ready to have an amazing time in Yorkshire!
