Pubs- at the request of Amanda

Pub, shortened from the term "Public House" is a place for social gathering and drinking, traditionally for men, but as with most things women have shoved their way through "if you can drink a pint and watch Beckham and Ronaldo prance about a football pitch, so can I!" Beers are served in pints, often with a wide selection of traditional English Ales, though sometimes you end up with a disgusting Belgian strawberry beer, if its pink, don't drink it. It's safer to stick with something domestic. I'm no seasoned pub goer, obviously, but I am observant. Now, a proper pub appears to be dim, without being too dodgy (how does one know? If you can't see the face of the person sitting next to you, I'd say dodgy) too bright and it just doesn't have the ambience of a pub. There is lots of wood paneling, and something mounted on the walls, perhaps taxidermy, or old mirrors, both create a similarly old world feel. The food is usually good, and always hearty, fish and chips is a requirement, and bangers and mash a preference. Sky sports or itv MUST be playing on one of the multiple tvs, otherwise what are you to do? Speak to the person next to you? (Only joking) No but really, either a football match is on, or sky sports news is running in the back ground. I really couldn't care less about the football matches, I'm still in search of a pub that plays rugby, I have a few leads that need to be followed up, I'll report back after I've checked them out. Depending on the pub and the time of day, you might have young men in for a pint to watch the footy, or older men, tie loosened after a long day at work (either way I get odd looks, I feel as if I'm trespassing on their sacred ground of masculinity) there are women, but not too many usually, and they usually have clearly been dragged out with their boyfriend, and sit with their cider or mixed drink, back to the tv, and try to chat up whoever might be near, generally with several "sssshh!" sounds from their boyfriend, as he needs quiet to appreciate Cristiano Ronaldo's ridiculous, pompous football playing. I rather fancy O'Shea, for a footballer he doesn't seem too bad... sometimes there is music playing, but I rather prefer the general buzz of good conversation. There is something decidely masculine about pubs, but in a comforting way, not an over-bearing sort of way. No woman would decorate her establishment with dark carpeting, wood paneling, mismatched furniture occasionally containing the odd leather armchair probably older than me, antelope or various other types of animal heads. No, a pub is a decidely masculine place. They all have names like "The Horse and Groom" or "The Drawbridge" "Coronation Tap" these are all places I've seen around Bristol, haven't been to the Horse and Groom, looks a bit dodgy. Well Amanda, there you go, Becca's analysis of pubs thus far!