What do we think of the UK? - Page 2

**Paul** · 29-09-2005, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

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

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

Millay · 29-09-2005, 00:12

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

bye bye

sir_drinks_alot · 29-09-2005, 00:13

I'm off to the Cook Islands

me283 · 29-09-2005, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

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

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

), 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.

**Maggy** · 29-09-2005, 00:47

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

me283 · 29-09-2005, 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

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

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

**Maggy** · 29-09-2005, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by me283

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

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

me283 · 29-09-2005, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

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

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

29-09-2005, 01:13

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

**Paul** · 29-09-2005, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millay

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

bye bye

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.

marky · 29-09-2005, 01:33

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

Gareth · 29-09-2005, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by me283

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by me283

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.

Spot on

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

For the time being, it's better for my family and myself to be in the UK.

Blimey, that turned into quite a rant

Graham · 29-09-2005, 03:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M

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

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

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

Pierre · 29-09-2005, 07:59

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

handyman · 29-09-2005, 09:10

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.