Tirytory

It sounds like you've given it a good go but I can relate to what Siouvy posted.

I just returned "home" after two years in Ontario. After several episodes of spectacular homesickness, I was pretty shocked to find myself out of kilter with some friends and found the place totally different to my memory. Rose tinted glasses certainly sums it up for me. I was pretty keen to get back on the flight to my new home. I knew things would change after my time away but I'm the one that changed. I don't fit there anymore. It's not a bad thing.

Snowy560

That's how I feel when I go back. Like I don't fit. And yes, even though I am very homesick at times here. Like you say, I never have a problem getting on the plane back to Canada (except that I hate flying!).


S

magnumpi

I hate Glasgow, its a dismal place full of drunks and unemployed youths. And they really do not like the English, specially English who rat out the scrounging waste of spacers by video taping them getting their fix of Super T or Spesh Brew before going off to work at some building site.

But hey that's my point of view only I guess.

I didn't get to work in any afluent areas by the way :@(

Jackiedelrey

Mmmmmm well i guess glasgow ain't for everyone etheir, can't say i hate the english, can't say i get pissed before going to work etheir.

Drunk youths is definitely a problem in the whole the UK, if you ask me. You get scumbags everywhere.

magnumpi

I don't hate on the Scott's either but it is what it is for me. Just shows that nowhere is perfect for diferant reasons. I never had the same issues in Edinburgh? But hey I hope u is happy when u go back.

Jackiedelrey

I love edinburgh, but i couldn't live there. And yes totally shows u that places can just not be a right fit for someone.

Stinkypup

That's fascinating, I was sure that you would come back with a hugely heavy heart- sometimes you need confirmation that things have changed- not just you, there as well. I'm glad you were happy to return- good luck with your exam.

Sorry OP for the brief hijack btw... We lived in Fife and much preferred Glasgow over the nearer Edinburgh- the latter, all fur coat and no knickers!! Glaswegians on the whole, much more friendly.

MarylandNed

LOL! You need to get out more!

Jonah_

I've been here nearly 18 months and I'm finding it hard. I miss the British sense of humour and generally the Canadians I've met in BC don't get it. I now tried to avoid jokes apart from a local RCMP guy I'm mates with who does get the uk sense of humour.

I've also found the British tendency towards self-deprecation is completely misunderstood. I've found locals where I am far from straight talking and not in possession of the strongest moral compass.

All that been said the mountains, mountain biking, hillwalking and skiing is amazing. It beats fighting your way around the M25 on a Monday morning.

Siouxie

Welcome to BE Jonah!

Next time there's a meet-up, you should try and get to it if you can, a little bit of British humour and a couple of pints should help!

Whereabouts in BC are you?

Shard

Yes the self-deprecation is totally misunderstood. I received quite a few puzzled looks or earnest words of encouragement before I gave up on it.

I think you need to accept as a starting point that the humour will be different, and not expect that people should get or be into British sense of humour. Along the way you will encounter some Canadians that do get/appreciate British humour, and can enjoy some banter. The main thing is not to get too hung up on it, as its give and take on cultural differences. Also, it is what it is.

Oink

The longer I've lived here, which is depressing in itself, the more I've found the best policy is to ignore them as much as possible. At best they're an irritant . . .

Former Lancastrian

Depending where you live you sometimes find it hard to actually find this elusive Canadian. I could go out this afternoon to the mall and Im betting I would find many people of various backgrounds who might hold a Canadian passport but truly don't regard themselves as Canadians.

JonboyE

I agree. I think this notion of Canadian homogeneity is quite absurd. As though all the people in Canada have the same cultural, educational and religious upbringing, and interchangeable lifestyles.

haggis88

Which town?

I've been in Calgary for 3.5 years now, and it doesn't feel like home...although working field work all over the world makes nowhere feel like home, but I know a bunch of places I would NOT want to live (looking at you...Iroquois Falls, ON)

I'd move back to Europe (not necessarily, Ayr, Scotland or the UK) in a heartbeat if my girl would come with me. She's a born and bred Calgary girl, so take from that what you will

She's been over with me to visit my family in Ayr and loved the place. We might move over at some point, she's eligible for the Youth Mobility Visa so I guess we can try it out and see if she likes it...much like I did with Calgary to begin with