>I ordered pancakes in Switzerland and was dissapointed to find out that maple syrup was not on the menu. Instead it was served with fruit on top. Pancakes are just not the same without the maple syrup - too dry and not worth the bother. Not a bad mix, but I had my heart set on pancakes, butter, and maple syrup...

I agree. Here, on Shrove Tuesday, families traditionally make pancakes, but thin ones, sprinkled with sugar and a squeeze of lemon. For some reason, people will wait ALL YEAR to make pancakes like this. Beats the hell out of me.

I'd imagine they don't have too many maple trees in the CH. I don't think there are any in the UK (except in the grounds of stately homes). I don't think we have the night/day temp. gradients either for the sap pressure. I don't think sycamores produce a decent sap either.

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>>>I think you will find that in the English world that people tend breakfasts like this.
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>>>- cold cereal with milk
>>>- toast or bagels with peanut butter, jam, honey or just plain butter
>>>- smoothies, a blend of yogurt with fruit
>>>- warm cereal (oatmeal or other types)
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>>I never here that referred to, over there, as porridge, as we do.
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>>>- bacon and eggs (boiled, scrambled, omelete)
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>>Or a "Full English Breakfast": Sausage, fried egg, bacon, beans, fried mushrooms, grilled tomato, fried bread, maybe fried potatoes, big mug of tea.
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>>Some idiots eat that regularly. For me, I only eat it as part of a calorie-controlled hang-over cure, or when setting out on a long journey where I don't expect to be able to eat for a while :-)
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>>>- pancakes (usually only made on weekends since they take more time)
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>>American pancakes with butter and maple syrup! - Droooooool. One of my favourites, esp. with crispy bacon.
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>>>- french toast (weekends)
>>>- with any of these people would generally drink coffee, fruit juice, milk or perhaps even tea
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>>>At resaurants you get fancier versions of these. As others have said the English world (England, US, Canada, Australia...) are so multi-cultural that people might even eat French or other types of breakfasts.