Question for our American members.

Krampus is the similar in Central European folklore; he brings birch switches for those who don't get gifts from St. Nicholas.

See also: Père Fouettard, Schmutzli, Perchta, Knecht Ruprecht, Rubbels, Hanstrapp, Little Babushka, Pelzebock, Klaubauf, and Belsnickel.

Really don't think there is much about Santa bringing switches in American culture. However, there is the reference to those who have been naughty or irresponsible getting coal in their stockings.
Guess its because coal is dirty?

In the painting by Dutch Master Jan Steen called 'The Feast of Saint Nicholas'. The good children get toys but the bad ones get given a cane.

As a US reader, I have no problem with reading stories set in the UK. I actually appreciate them.

That said, I have a problem with a story set in the US, which mentions knickers, caning, slippers, jumpers, and runners. There again, it's different if the central character is from the UK, and yet the setting is in the US. In that case, I expect a blending of terms.

So, it depends on who the character is, AND what the setting is. Mostly, I like realism. Just don't try to be culturally ambiguous; by trying to cater to both, UK & US readers. It only comes across as confusing. I don't believe I can explain well enough how that is different than the previous example of a UK character in the US.

"I demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!"
~D. Adams

Redskinluver
I always heard the tale that Santa left coal and "twigs" in your christmas stocking.

Martin Pyx introduced a British character into his series of sorority novels and she showed the American sorority girls the pleasures of using a cane. Paddles were very traditional in U.S. college fraternities and sororities. Although most universities have banned them, because there have been deaths from hazing, I suspect they are still in use. P N Dedeaux set one of his novels--The Sensualists--in suburban Toronto, Canada, and both men and women discipline with the cane. Given that this is Dedeaux, it ends with a extremely severe punishment "party" where one woman is singled out by her husband for quite extreme measures. I always wondered if this was entirely in his imagination or if seemingly demure Canadian clubwomen truly engaged in serious spanking and caning.
As for implements in the U.S., the belt and the strap were very common when I was growing up. I do know a woman who had been a teacher and retired, taking her school yardstick with her to use for disciplining.

When I read my first British stories as a youngster, probably early 70s and mostly from paperback novels or stories in magazines, I was quite puzzled by he use of the cane. At the time, the only canes I knew anything about were walking canes and I couldn't understand how that was an appropriate implement for corporal punishment. I can't actually remember when or how I figured out what a cane really was, but I did eventually and became really intrigued with caning. But to answer the question, as an American I've always enjoyed British stories. When I discovered magazines like Janus, Februs, etc. I thought I'd hit the mother lode. Until this very day, some of the best, and most erotic stories I've ever read were in those publications. I think for me, it comes down to the content and how well the story is written more than the location or nationality.

Most of us yanks find it very easy to read most British literature there are some differences but you usually can adapt.I am not a fan of the cane or the tawse just as in american literature I do not care for the switch ,the belt or the strap or strop stories.while I enjoy a good otk story no matter where it is set and my most enjoyed stories are m/F or f/F only not f/m or m/m and I do sometimes find myself wondering what a certain thing is and how they can get punished for it,but I do enjoy most stories.Have a great day.
Jim

Hi, I am quite confused about the Third, Fourth, Fitfh and Six-Term and what years of age and school grade coincides with those words. Thanks

I really enjoy the stories from UK writers here on the site, and generally don’t have issues understanding them, but heavy use of slang and regional idioms can throw me off, whether by US or UK writers. Honestly though, Ive only noticed that a couple of times, and if asked which stories I probably couldn’t remember. Regarding your preference for LeCarre over Ludlum and your difficulty understanding Ludlum’s stories: I suspect it’s because Ludlum’s stories are overly complicated and confusing, and LeCarre is the better writer. (Standing by for incoming!