The Staff of London Life

I used to work for a newspaper that had a number of vending machines in a large break room. One machine held the usual candy bars, chips and gum. One held drinks; another coffee and hot chocolate. The last one was a big rounded machine full of cold things - apples, oranges, bananas, yogurt and the dreaded sandwiches.
I never really saw anyone eat those sandwiches. I was personally frightened by them. They stood on one triangular side, white bread sporting colorful fillings - pimiento cheese, egg salad and what could only be called mystery meat. They seemed to stay in the machine forever.
One of the first times we visited London, we went to one of the department store Food Halls - and there they were - row upon row of wrapped sandwiches, standing on their sides. Here, they're called Takeaway Sandwiches, and they are incredibly popular. You can get them at drug stores (the ones at Boots are supposed to be among the very best), at the supermarket and at department store food halls as well as at special sandwich shops like Pret a Manger and EAT.
Keith loves them. He's intrigued by the combinations and flavors he finds on the shelves. Almost everywhere you'll find Prawn Mayonnaise and Egg Mayonnaise. "Mayonaise" is what we would call "Salad."
Keith's found a few favorites: Cheese and Pickle, which he says is a British cousin to pimiento cheese; Salmon and Cucumber, Roast Chicken and Bacon, Wensleydale Cheese and Chutney. He's also partial to something called a Ploughman's Baguette, which is cheese, tomato, onion, pickle and rocket (salad greens) on a long roll.
The other day, Keith was bringing a sandwich home for himself and he called to ask if I wanted one. I said that a ham sadwich would be fine. When came home, he had a Ham Salad with lettuce, tomato and red onion. It was on the most fabulous bread, a hearty malted brown. I picked off the lettuce, tomato and onion and added some mature cheddar (sharp cheese) from our refrigerator. The ham slices were thick and very tasty. Voila! Perfect sandwich.
Much to my amazement, I have become a fan of the Takeaway Sandwich. Not as big a fan as Keith, whose eyes light up at the idea of what sandwich he'll tackle next. But I unwrap my little sandwich and eat it like a true Londoner.
I still would not touch that thing from the vending machine though.