What do we think of the UK?
 

Bit of an open question really. I don't want to start any kind of arguments, with people getting into slanging matches etc. But the fact is that I've just returned from a trip abroad, one of several recently; and it kind of gives some perspective on things. Maybe I'm being wistful, or maybe I'm seeing things more clearly, who knows? But the more I travel, the less favourably I see this country.

So what I am asking is, what do other people think of the place? I'd like to know pros and cons, not just general moans. And I stress again that it's purely out of interest, I'm not looking to convert people away from a love of anything; if anything, I'm hoping people can remind me that it's not so bad after all!

So, am I alone in feeling despondent and disillusioned? And please, let's keep it civil ;)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

So who wants to take guesses on how long it will take for someone to cite "political correctness" as one of the things they dislike about the UK :D

What do I like about it? The British way of life. I'm going to ignore the usual brigade who'll try to tell me that very little left is 'British' - we all know what I mean by ' the British way of life' :)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Well then, i am proud to be english, but more proud to be british, and quite happy to live here :D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I, like my family don't see ourselves prospering in this country. Everything is too expensive, taxes are too suffocating, and generally speaking everything is getting worse. Nothing in my life that the government is responsible for has got better, only worse. Crime & justice, health care, public transport etc. Oh course, the political correctness and the situation with Europe (with Europe becoming more and more the dominant ruling presence in our lives).

My parents spotted this years ago, and moved out and never looked back. I fully agree with them. I have to watch my family in the US lead a life I can only dream of. My younger brother earns less than me but lives like a king compared to me. I know where my bread is buttered.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Hmm, posted at 22:18, it's now 23:08, so I'd say 40 minutes.

"Political correctness is one of the things I dislike about the UK".

:rofl: No, I'm not even going to go there...!!!

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

What I like about this country ?

The countryside and small villages, the english language, our emergency services that do a hell of tough job, English traditional food, and many more things but I cant think right now.

What I dont like about this country ?

Public transport which is a complete shambles, as is crime and the justice system in this country.
The high fees on University tuition, the amount of illegal people coming into the UK

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Yes, PC is something that does disillusion me. But there are many others that stand out on their own: fear of upsetting people, attitude towards our football team, attitude on the roads, the government, prices, taxes etc. Some of them would p*** me off even if I had never visited another country... others just make me realise how bad this country has become, or how good other countries are.

Before anyone jumps on my case, there are things that I like about the UK... the rugby, for a start. But these things are dwindling and being eroded, slowly but surely. I shall stick my neck out and say that I think the country is going down the pan.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Sorry but words fail me with you, especially on this particular line "taxes are too suffocating"

Yet when an old woman takes a stand against the oppressive tax regime here, you slap her down.

This is exactly what makes me wonder why anyone should want to live in the UK.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I love this country, its interesting that when we go away the place looks lovelly and we think the way of life is better, but perhaps if we were brought up there we would think england is better.

I love the country especially where I live. My lifestyle is comfortable, the people are lovelly and the governemnt are doing a better job than a lot of other countries, so I pay a lot of tax, but i feel i get back what i put in..

/me goes off to sing rule brittania...

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Taxes are far worse in France, people are very friendly here (try eastern Block countries :rolleyes: ).......on the whole the UK is an OK place to live........

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I think we are a country which has a very cynically population. I believe we have a tendency to express the same attitudes as me283 here. I also believe that they are unjustified but the fact that we are like this is a sign of how tolerant we are.

Other countries do not seem to take negative news as much as us. All countries have problems but over here they are more talked about. I dont know what country your talking about but i am sure they have problems.

A fear of upsetting people is not a bad thing. I would not like to live in a country where people are free to upset minorities with unjust cause. I think that in itself is a sign of an increasing fear and hatred sweeping the nation. Its important not to take notice of all these political correctness stories as it can make you mad often without good cause. This kind of suppressed anger and hatred will blow up one day if we are not careful. I do sense a feeling of fear and anger between minorities and the majority brewing under the radar.

I think we have a free media, a system to help those in need, the willingness to take in people from other places to let them start a new life. I think we have a shameful history but also a good policy towards helping others. Finally, I think we have a angry and scared population who are worried about the unknown in the future

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I never said I didn't agree with her stance. However, I must pay taxes, and so does she. If either of us deliberately don't pay tax, then we'll have to take what punishments we get. I wouldn't get off scott free, so why should this woman? Because she's old? Great, when I become an OAP, i'll never pay for anything again!

If you want to continue this further, then we should go back to the other thread.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

This Country's being Ruined my the EU and political correctness. :mad: :grind:
It use to be a great Country but now the two above things are just makeing it other part Of EU plc. :grind:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

You aught to try living where i do, i think all that has passed us by where im from...

I cant help but wonder if you were to ask the same cquestion uk wide then would it show its down to what part of the country we live in that decides how happy we are with the country as a whole... but thats another topic entirly...

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

:wavey:

I'd happily leave tomorrow - I fancy the US or New Zealand.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Paul your a techie if i rember correctly... companies in both countries will sponser you in a flash...


bye bye :D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I'm off to the Cook Islands :tu:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Well, in the past I've been lucky enough to see a lot of countries: to name a few, South Africa (beautiful, but fragil, volatile, and in need of... somthing!), USA (wonderful in many ways, sickly in others), Hong Kong (never goes to sleep), and most of Europe. Recently I have been in France, Greece, Poland. I love France, and will defend the people as much as I can; those that say the French are unfriendly are usually those whose experience of the country stops at Calais. Greece is great for a holiday. Poland I love, for many reasons.

But I am under no illusions that visiting is not the same as living somewhere, or being brought up somewhere. For a start, I cannot compare education in these countries, but I can see how well-educated the people are (or aren't). On the other hand, I can guage, for example, the atmosphere in a busy town centre on a Saturday night at about midnight. I can compare the road system and the price of a pint of beer, as well as the level of service you get in shops. These things would be no different if I were there for an hour or a year.

Tolerance is an interesting point though. IMO we as a nation tend to be far too tolerant. And this could be linked to the fear of upsetting people in many cases. An example quoted earlier in another thread was to do with jokes about Richard Whiteley - someone found them offensive when in fact it was pointed out that the great man himself would have found them highly amusing! We worry about showing our national flag, in case it smacks of patriotism and offends someone; we have schools that prevent children from competing in sports because it will upset the losers (that will really prepare them for real life :rolleyes: ), and we tend to be more concerned with reactions and feelings of minorities than majorities.

Yes, there are good things in this country, may they really do seem to be paling in comparison to the bad things which are coming to the fore.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Ah now you lot have bluddy well depressed me all over again... :(

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

That's another thing, teachers in this country have terrible language! :D

:jk:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Not as bad as PM's though.... ;)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Or, in his own words, "****ing PMs"!!!

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I love this country.No extremes of weather no earthquakes to mention really floods are mainly minor etc. Our climate makes us rich we have a stretched but free nhs,green grass and apple trees.Everywhere is normal once you have been there a while im happy here

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Indeed, but I'm afraid you can't get rid of me that easily - I am not the only person in my household. ;)

Were I still 'free and single' I would have gone years ago. :D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

This place is cool, thats why all the immigrants want to come here

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Couldn't agree more. I lived for several years in different parts of France and my in-laws are French. I've always found the French, as a nation, to be extremely welcoming, friendly, interested by others' cultures, polite, generous... the list goes on and on. Parisians are maybe the least friendly, but that's usually cause they're always busy buzzing around - metro, boulot, dodo. Calais is virtually an extension to Dover and is more English than French :(

Spot on :tu: I spent quite some time in Copenhagen when I was younger. There are silly things like Copenhagen city centre (like Amsterdam) has cycles freely available for renting to ride around the streets. It would cost hardly anything to unlock the bike (20Kr iirc) and this was refunded when you returned the bike. I asked a Danish friend if they had problems with people stealing the bikes or dumping them instead of returning them. He just looked at me like I was from another planet. Nobody would do such a thing in Denmark.

Drinking in a bar in France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, etc... is not like the UK. Being outside a bar when it closes in any other European country is completely different to being outside a UK pub at 11pm. I wish the Brits could just go for a drink without having to get completely legless and violent.

If you're wondering why I choose to live in the UK, none of the countries I've lived/worked in can provide the financial security I get from working in the UK. French employers have all the power in France (despite the constant strikes!) and my salary was roughly 50% of my UK salary. French taxes aren't really that high when you compare them to Belgian (55%) or Danish (59%) taxes :shocked: For the time being, it's better for my family and myself to be in the UK.

Blimey, that turned into quite a rant :D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Lots of useful links for cheap flights. Have a nice trip... :wavey:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/flightchecker/

:D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I prefered it when we ruled most of the known world.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I would move to Florida in a heart beat if I could get a good job and a green card over there.

This countries going down the pan, we are turning into a nasty litigous state (like the US but worse) , we have high prices and are far too PC for me.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

What we have to remember is visiting a country is not the same as living there. We dont get to see a true picture of that country on a 2 week holiday.

However, I am proud to be English, not that bothered about being British. I wouldnt be upset if the United kingdom split up.
I wouldnt move abroad yet, I may retire abroad one day, but it would be to Greece or somewhere, certainly NOT Spain or the USA.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Could a passing mod give this thread it's correct title: What Do We Think of Little England?

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Funny you should ask that .. I am trying hard to think of anything I like about UK now !

Erm .. prices, overpopulation, immigrants, queues, crowds, crime, education, health, weather .. nope nothing there to enthuse about.

I used to love this great country, but it has gone to the dogs and got sh*t upon !

Time for me and mine to get out ? Oh definitely !!
__________________

See you there !!

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Could all posters read the OP on this thread... very carefully if need be!

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

What I like about living in the UK
The countryside and it's way of life
Villages
It's History
It's idiosyncrasies and quaintness - like calling nurses "Sister" still
Real Ale
"The British way of Life" (what ever that is?)
The NHS

What I dislike about living in the UK
Cities
Thuggish behaviour
The demise of the family leading to the above and increased crime
Extreme political correctiveness leading to silly decisions just to appear conformist
Increased crime
High cost of living
Increasing moral dereliction in favour of "opinion". "A personal society"
An almost total abandonment of support for British Industry. This has lead to a massively increased importation which in turn has meant we have had to increase taxes to retain revenue.

That'll do for now..

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Why NOT Spain?

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Just had to snip those two comments, as they are quite pertinent. Where I live used to have lots of open spaces, but not so these days. This was brought home to me recently when a friend visited from overseas. I was whiling away a couple of hours by driving around the local areas, showing the more famous parts. Then she said: "Isn't it strange, you can't tell when one town ends and another begins; there are no spaces in between!"

Then I remembered Mr. Prescott's scheme that we should build X million new homes over the next 10 days... :rolleyes:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Soon, "going for a country walk" will mean visiting your neighbours garden (if they have one !) !!

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Why bother going to their garden when you can both open your kitchen windows and shake hands! ;)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Not wanting to be intrusive, but can I ask why, when your parents and brother made their escape, you did not accompany them ? If I had close family in the US I wouldn't even bother to stop and pack a bag !

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Long story. I was due to follow them, but was incorrectly advised by the company we employed for immigration advice, they said I could remain in the UK and finish my uni education. My father's application took too long and I turned 21 before he got his green card. End result, no end of agro for me. I am still fighting, but it could well take years to sort out.

As I said, I know where my bread is buttered. My wages go so far out there. The lifestyle I lead when I visit far outstrips my lifestyle here. Its almost heartbreaking watching my family prosper and enjoy life so much out there. When I go out there, I can afford to tip bartenders, that's unthinkable here! We'll walk a mile or two out of our way to save 30p on a pint.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

:rofl: .......... on second thoughts, it's not that funny when for many it's come true :erm:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I'm quite happy with the thread title as it is. It's a good question that has drawn out some interesting and (mostly) mature responses. :)
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Hold yer horses, cowboy! You can afford to tip the bartender because the cost of the drink is low. The cost of the drink is low because the bartender is paid peanuts. The bartender is paid peanuts because, culturally, he is expected to earn part of his 'wage' in tips ...

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Not solely, the economy and tax on alcohol plays a big part in it. Anyway, all service staff have to earn minimum wage, so in the extremely unlikely event their tips don't cover the difference, then the employer will have to cover the difference. I know service industry staff out there, and they do very well out there tips. They can tend 12 tables at a time. A low average would be $5 per table, tips, so thats $60 per hour at peak times. Tips are taxable though. In quieter times, they'll still earn minimum wage.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I tell you what - you're obviously older than you look then ;)

ANyway, I heard that, back when the Empire was in full flow, the unknown world was loads better :p:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Yikes I feel for you punky ! Just had a (very) quick look at a few USA Immigration sites and it does seem if you're over 21 family ties are not valid and you need exceptional qualifications or skills to qualify for a green card. Even the EB-3 Visa requires a permanent job offer in a skill where there are insufficient US workers !! Is there no 'work to residence' policy like Canada, Oz and NZ ??

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

The current minimum wage in the USA is $5.15 - at today's exchange rate that's roughly £2.92 per hour. Even before minimum wage legislation was introduced in the UK there were very few people earning anything like that low a rate.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/q-a.htm

And for bartenders (and anyone else who earns tips) the minimum wage is a criminal $2.13 (£1.21) . I would say it's not so much the case that you can afford to tip the bartender; you are morally obliged to do so! I certainly didn't realise it was this bad in the US until I read up on it just now and it will certainly change the way I treat waiting staff next time I am over there.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Yeah, that's how my dad went through under the L visa. I tried but got messed up as well, due to my application getting lost, and the the approval notice expiring.

If you are over 21 and unmarried, then you can immigrate via your family, it just takes time. If you are married then I think your family have to become citizens for you to be eligible.

Its just been one long nightmare for me, but for the rest of my family, its been suprisingly easy. My older brother was over 21 when my dad applied so he applied on his own, and had his green card in a year and a half.
__________________

Don't forget though, everything else is cheaper (like the exchange rate), so it all comes down in line. Anyway, that's the federal rate, states are allowed to up that, and do... Florida's MW is $6.15

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

It's cheaper because the employers get away with paying peanuts!!! And Florida is hardly being very generous, an extra dollar is worth about 57p. And if you are in a job where you can expect to get tips, the rate is even worse - please see my edited and extended post above.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Yes, but those dollars go a long, long way over there...

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

No, it isn't. That is only if the tips exceed the federal minimum wage of $5.15. Look at this quote from the link you provided:

I.e. no tipped employee will ever take home less than $5.15 an hour. The direct minimum wage can be set at 1c an hour, but if the tips don't exceed the federal minimum wage, then the employer will have to make up the difference of $5.14. Either way, service industry staff are garanteed at least $5.15 per hour for their work, and times when employers have to make up the difference are extremely few and far between.

You can't just say they earn £2.92, how terrible... everything else is cheaper so they are still 'richer'. A 2L bottle of Coca-cola (branded) is 89c... that's 52p, compared with the £1.25 at least you pay here. Like I said, my younger brother earns less than me, but the money goes much further. Its the ecomomy.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I did read the page I quoted. :dozey: I did not say that bartenders go home with next to no money in their pockets, I was pointing out that the bartender's employer is obliged only to pay him a very small amount, because the bartender can make a decent amount from tips. So, because the customers are effectively paying the bartender his wages directly, the wage bill to the business is low, therefore they can charge less for their goods, hence you go to a bar, get your drinks, realise it's really cheap and then feel flush enough to give a generous tip.

As for the coca cola ... I don't imagine the people who work in the factory that makes it get tips. I don't suppose the shelf stackers down at Wal Mart do either. And if they take home anything like as little as £2.92 per hour, it's no wonder a 2l bottle is so cheap.

Don't get me wrong, I know the US economy is the world's biggest and I know Americans are comparitively richer - but having been over there and seen how it works, I do think it's easy for an outsider to overestimate the difference.

Incidentally ... average annual holiday entitlement in the US is something like 2 weeks, excluding public holidays. I get five weeks, plus extra for long service. A colleague of mine who went to work at our office over there had to fight to retain the holiday allowance she had over here and to this day has to keep very quiet about it as she has so many more days off than everyone she now works with. I value my time and frankly I'm prepared to stay here, earn less, and have a life outside the office. ;)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

The converse view would be to say: I work in the UK and earn loads more; of course, everything else costs lots more, and I can't buy nearly as much, but at least I get it in the first place!

People may earn less over there, but their houses cost less to rent/buy, cars cost less, fuel costs less, food costs less, clothes cost less... etc etc The pay is merely a factor.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

As punky said their money goes way further, homes are cheaper fuel is 35p a litre. All electronics stuff is cheaper.

But apples for apples you can live better off in the states than here.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I am sorry I am misunderstood what you were saying. My apologies.

You jumped on the bartender thing, but its one small piece of life out there. Everything is much cheaper, and the economy and lifestyle is such that evening earning less is 'earning more'. In fact alcohol in public is actually relatively expensive out there, to discourage overdrinking. I have very extensive knowlege of both countries, and I know where I am better off.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Anyone know if Canada is as compartively cheap as the US is considered to be?

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

A little more expensive, not much. I have been to Toronto twice. Of course visitors are able to claim the tax back, but even if you don't Canada is still much cheaper than the UK.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Cheers, Punky. :)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

...gone a little :notopic:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I would say the opposite, especially when drinking spirits, bars often do not have optic measures, so you end up with a far healthier measure in your glass.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Spain is a country I dont like. For many reasons really, but the main one is the amount of English people that buy homes there and think they own the place.
I just simply hated the place from the moment I set foot upon its soil to the moment my flight departed malaga. I hated it so much that I will NOT go back.

I hate France too.

I would consider Italy, Malta, I earlier discounted US, but I think I could tolerate California .......for a while at least.
But right now Greece is my choice for a holiday/retirement home.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

You've never been to the right places in spain then. It's fab :tu:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I like torbay oh and i think cornwall is fab ;)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

True, although it's difficult in the context of the OP to answer the original question without reference to the perceived pros and cons of other countries!

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Or maybe i will just buy up a island and start a own country ! the federal republic of mr blue sky. :)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Well, if you have £3 million to spare, this one might suit. :D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Shugar ! ...... If I had £3m to spend I wouldn't go there, too bloody cold ! Nah !Nevada / Arizona for me. :)

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

True ... we take our summer hols on the neighbouring island, Great Cumbrae, and it can get a bit wild when the weather turns nasty. But personally I'd find a huge victorian mansion a lot more interesting than endless beach. I'm just not cut out for sunbathing.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

One of the thing I dislike about the UK are major cities such as London and Manchester where you walk down the street and nobody looks at you, smiles at you, wishes you a good day etc, there's no sense of community, it's all very unfriendly and unwelcoming.

I live in a small town in South Wales where you get all of the above. It makes you feel a lot safer, happier and you feel you're a person, not just a faceless entity on the street.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Russ city centre manchester is full of people who work there not live there, as you go into the suburbs the people are very friendly :D

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

The thing about Nevada / Arizona is they are land locked with no beaches as such (unless you include lake shores) .. it's the continuous sunshine and wilderness that attracts me.

I dream of whiling away my time lying in the hot sun overlooking a large blue lake doing nothing but sipping an ice cold lager from my Winnebago :)
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Yeh .. they smile as they puke on and happy slap you !! :erm:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

And that's what I'm talking about, city centres. From my experience they are very unfriendly, depanding on how large the city is.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Yes sadly true, all to busy to notice there own lives fly past them:(

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Nor to the right places in France. There are things I dislike about France and the Frenchies, but like OB says about Spain, if you know the right places to go then you'll have a fab time :tu:

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Most of Europe is like that. People tend to go the the holiday/tourist hotspots (naturally), then form an opinion of it. Consider a Japanese tourist who visits London then declares they don't like England because it's dirty, full of traffic etc etc. Yet show them Oxford or The New Forest and it's a completely different picture. In addition, a lot of Brits abroad don't have the benefit of language abilities, and that does throw up a barrier straightaway, not least when they adopt the "If you don't understand me speaking English, I'll shout English" approach.

For the record, out of the two countries France gets my vote every time. Although of late I've spent a lot of time in Poland, and I can't speak highly enough of the place, people etc.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

The third way...
Not having lived in other countries, so having no direct experience, it appears from here that in a socialist countrly like France, you pay high taxes and get good service for those taxes in terms of health, public transport etc, you also get mayors with responsibilitiy for raising and spending money locally and thus strong accountability.
In somewhere like America you pay lower taxes and thus have higher disposable income from which you choose the level of health coverage etc.
In the UK i feel like I pay high tax for all these services, then have to pay high end use charges or pay for private coverage where the state falls down (dental, BUPA etc), comparitivly pay a lot for rail travel to commute and suffer poor local services which are constrained because they have 80% percent of their income allocated from central govt.

Then, we have the EU, which most of the other member states ignore the legislation emmitted from it, we fight it to make it workable (ish) then implement it and often gold plate it.

Between those it makes me want to leave.

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

I like Britsh Bobbies (without guns)
The local pub and pub games
The seaside
British people (wherever they may live are usually great)
Fish and Chips
Sunday Roast
Tea and Scones
Small towns and villages
The Cotswolds
The Lake District
Brecon Beacons
Scots people (never been to scotland yet, so a treat to look forward to)
The NHS which tries really hard.
Boating on the river.
Rugby
Cricket
Quiz nights
School PTA's
Sausages
Next door Neighbours
The BBC
Sheep on the hillsides
Farmers Markets

I hate
The current electoral system.
Gangs of youths who intimidate.
Not being able to leave my front door unlocked.
"the little England mentality"

Re: What do we think of the UK?
 

Sorry I havent had time to read the thread but my view is that the UK is too capitalist and there are some very rich people who I feel should be paying more in tax, not enough done to close tax loopholes etc. Their are people caight up in whats called social exclusion who will get very little help as it isnt politically correct and too much power to corporations. Also too many companies owned by shareholders so always only looking at short term gains.

The result of all this chaos is that proper health care is only recieved by those who can afford to go private, the best jobs go to those from priveledged backgrounds, the poor pay a higher proportion of their income in tax and the socially excluded dont get heard.