Snow in London - same story as last year

The snow in London has almost completely disappeared, but it still makes me laugh and scream at the same time, when I think about how the English (not) deal with it every single year. It's not like they are taken by surprise. It's January after all and the weather forecast predicted snow, but nevertheless when the cold, white stuff starts covering our soils, public transport seems to be not prepared at all. Why is that, though?

Heathrow spent £36 million on new snowploughs since the 2010 fiasco, but still about 300 flights were cancelled once again due to the snow and also many underground and overground lines were suspended, delayed or reduced. Please don't expect an explanation from me, because I don't have one.

I was also quite surprised that there was hardly any loose gravel, except for Central London. While Berlin is not really a role model when it comes to public transport in the winter, at least as a pedestrian you have a good chance of not slipping and falling. Not so in London, I have heard from several friends that they slipped, because it was very icy everywhere.

But to end on a positive note, it seems like the English get super excited about snow in general and building snowmen in particular. In Greenwich, you could find some very creative snowmen and snowwomen sitting on benches or only enjoying the cold temperatures wrapped up warm:

P.S.: Thanks to my lovely Aussie friend who provided the photo.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word - not!

My sincere apology that you haven't read any new posts in a very long time. I am truly sorry, but I was very busy having a really great time over the holidays.

Back in Germany I always had quite a hard time apologising. Admitting that you were actually wrong and someone else was right? No way! But here in the UK, I apologise for many things, many times a day.

For example, the other day I had afternoon tea with some friends. My delicious piece of carrot cake arrived, but then I realised I didn't have a fork or a spoon to eat it. So, I said to the waiter: " I'm really sorry to bother you again, but would you mind bringing me a fork or a spoon?"
British people seem to apologise in particular when it's not their fault. When someone bumps into you in the street, you say sorry as well. When someone asks you for a cigarette, the correct thing to say here is: "Sorry, but I don't smoke".

Before the Olympics the Guardian released an etiquette guide for Olympics visitors and in there it said:
"British people may seem to apologise a lot, but it doesn't quite mean the same thing here. In the UK, "I'm sorry" actually means either a) I didn't hear you; b) I didn't understand you; or c) I both heard and understood you, and I think you're an idiot."

So, it seems like sorry means a lot of different things. Let's explore.
Brits admit that a third of the time, they don't actually mean it. The Top 5 situations of using the word "sorry" are:

1)  When you don't have time to speak to someone or do something
2)  To apologise on someone else's behalf, such as children, a partner or a colleague
3) When you didn't hear what someone was saying
4) When you want something to be explained to you again
5) When you actually feel the need to apologise for having double-crossed, lied to or let someone down

Maybe Elton John was right after all?