The Golden Lion, St James's

I love this pub. Location is excellent, choice of smoking and non-smoking rooms, beer is good and their Aberdeen Angus burger is the best I have ever had. Staff are, usually, friendly and service is good. However, on my last visit I was a bit disappointed: one of the barmaids was, probably, in a bad mood because we (customers!) arrived and disturbed her watching a recording of her wedding ceremony.
I think that, when an English pub chain employs people who grew up in another country (especially in Eastern Europe), it should give them proper training in the English way of life and in how to be friendly and polite. Otherwise, our wonderful pubs could finish up as Soviet communal canteens�
I am a foreigner myself: I was born and grew up in the former Soviet Union and know whereof I speak. London is a wonderful multi cultural experience � the Capital of the World � and the Pub, an institution I�ve come to love, is quintessentially English and should remain so.

23 Sep 2006 21:02