Wow, what a surprise! My first poll!

While the electric shock sounds a little rude or violent, it's meant in the British way -- it's meant with the utmost civility.

A few years back I was visiting my grandmother (called Gran, of course) who lived in Kent. There were so many family visiting I was boarded at a neighbor's house which dated back 150 years -- 14 foot ceilings and all that. I was going to be out late, so my hosts told me they'd leave the kitchen door unlocked.

Mindful of the safety issues this raised, my host added with mock concern, "You won't murder us in our beds, will you?" Shocked, I started to assure him that this was absolutely out of the question .. until I saw the twinkle in his eye and realize I'd been had. That subtle British humour -- it gets them every time.

It's just my way of saying, "Oi, don't do that!" :)