One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
Jun 8th 2008, 6:42 am
#91
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,807
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
If you have an issue with a Moderator's post please take it up by pm with the Mod concerned.
Nasty comments are not wanted on BE, and I would have said so myself, had Rete not got there first. There has been more than one offender in this thread, they should ALL take a step backwards and a deep breath.
Nasty comments are not wanted on BE, and I would have said so myself, had Rete not got there first. There has been more than one offender in this thread, they should ALL take a step backwards and a deep breath.
Jun 8th 2008, 6:55 am
#92
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
If you have an issue with a Moderator's post please take it up by pm with the Mod concerned.
Nasty comments are not wanted on BE, and I would have said so myself, had Rete not got there first. There has been more than one offender in this thread, they should ALL take a step backwards and a deep breath.
Nasty comments are not wanted on BE, and I would have said so myself, had Rete not got there first. There has been more than one offender in this thread, they should ALL take a step backwards and a deep breath.
Jun 8th 2008, 6:58 am
#93
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,807
(yeah yeah I know I should read em one day 
)
Jun 8th 2008, 10:29 am
#95
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Spain/Wales
Posts: 313
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
In all fairness you do not know the OP. However, you were quick to jump on him as were all the others who don't share his opinion.
Because he has an angry looking avatar (which btw is a ref who is always angry) you attribute that emotion to him.
Time to realize that you are inflicting your emotions to his words. He didn't come across angry and the name calling started with others and not with him.
Suggestion: Pull back, take a breath and go play elsewhere.
Rete
SM
Because he has an angry looking avatar (which btw is a ref who is always angry) you attribute that emotion to him.
Time to realize that you are inflicting your emotions to his words. He didn't come across angry and the name calling started with others and not with him.
Suggestion: Pull back, take a breath and go play elsewhere.
Rete
SM
Jun 8th 2008, 11:24 am
#96
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,382
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
I read the entire thread before posting and while I perhaps should have not singled you out (for which I publicly apologize) there are many of you on this thread who are apparently newbies and are quick to jump on the back of others who do not share your thoughts and emotions.
Again, I ask that you (the collective "you") take a step back, a deep breath and relax. NJDave is entitled to his opinion as are those who believe otherwise.
Jun 8th 2008, 11:40 am
#97
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Posts: 328
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
I read the entire thread before posting and while I perhaps should have not singled you out (for which I publicly apologize) there are many of you on this thread who are apparently newbies and are quick to jump on the back of others who do not share your thoughts and emotions.
Again, I ask that you (the collective "you") take a step back, a deep breath and relax. NJDave is entitled to his opinion as are those who believe otherwise.
Again, I ask that you (the collective "you") take a step back, a deep breath and relax. NJDave is entitled to his opinion as are those who believe otherwise.
Jun 8th 2008, 12:07 pm
#98
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: UK-France-UK-France
Posts: 242
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
Blimey! What's happened to this forum 
I haven't visited here for a while and I thought that I would pop in and give an update.
Not a chance now though, too frightened of saying the wrong thing and getting rocks thrown at me
I haven't visited here for a while and I thought that I would pop in and give an update.
Not a chance now though, too frightened of saying the wrong thing and getting rocks thrown at me
Jun 8th 2008, 5:28 pm
#99
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: uk-perth northern suburbs-uk
Posts: 740
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
On May 10th of last year, I touched down at Heathrow having spent the past two years living in the USA. Although I left New Jersey a little prematurely (as far as I'm concerned) for personal reasons (yes, that means you -whore!) I guess it's time to reflect on the past year an talk about what I've learnt from my experiences. So let's start off with the classic British moan: the weather. When I left Newark airport last year, the weather was sunny and pushing into the 80's in terms of temperature. I came back to the UK to experience one of the coldest and wettest summers on record. So that's 1-0 USA so far! Another thing that struck me was the expense of everything here as opposed to America. Whether it be TV subscriptions, internet access or even basic consumer goods (televsions, etc.) the UK is a very expensive place to live. When I left the UK a pint of lager in my local was £2.35 and now it's £2.70. However the minimum wage doens't seem to have increased all that much. Don't even get me started on fuel prices here. It's embarrassing to even suggest a comparison to fuel prices in the USA. Even for New Jersey, which has some of the highest fuel prices in the USA, it still looks cheap in comparison the the UK. Sad things is that a lot of the cost of petrol in the UK is tax. Which is another thing: what's going on with taxes in the UK? Well the newspapers published several MP's expense claims, so I guess we know now. Crime in the UK: at least in the USA there were no go areas, and you knew not to go there. But in the UK, the gangs of feral chavs seem to be everywhere causing bother. And the police don't seem to bother doing anything about them, as they're too busy picking on motorists and people who overfill their wheelie bins! Knife crime seems to be the big thing in the news at the moment (and yes, I mean the news in general. Not just the usual scaremongering newspapers). Why do so many people carry knives these days, I though this was a civilised country. But when so many people are going out 'tooled up' we look more like some tin-pot banana republic. Then there is the welfare dependancy. Note, I'm not getting at everyone on benefits. The great thing about the UK is that it offers a safety net to those who are down on their luck. But the system was never designed as a long term means of support for people. So it makes me mad as fook when I have to work my arse off to pay for people who have never worked and have no intention of working, to sit around smoking and popping out more little chav babies (who, inevitably I'll end up paying for). But one good thing about the UK is the cost of education. I'm paying a little over £3000 a year to go to law school here, whereas if I was still in the USA I dare not even hazard a guess at what it would cost me. Another plus for the UK is the countryside. Not much of that in the Tristate Area, lol. But on the flip side you can hardly compare Newcastle and Durham to New York City in terms of sights and things to do (although they are still a good night on the piss!). So in conclusion, if you're ever lucky enough to get out of the UK: don't come back. Your initial issues with the place will not only still be there, but they will seem a whole lot worse having been away for a while. And that is why I waited a year to reflect properly in regards to my return. No knee-jerk reactions, just expereinces from a re-adjusted former ex-pat.............
I’ve been back a couple of years now and can see why OP sees things the way he does.
For the most part it’s true – BUT it’s not a British phenomenon. The thing is, when there is crap, crime, useless laws and we are not settled – we personalise all that’s wrong. Please be honest – referring to your OP…..have you personally been a victim of knife crime in the last year? Has your local policeman stopped the binmen emptying your bin? Do all youths really go out tooled up all the time? (I always find it interesting when people slag off teenagers except their nieces, children, friends kids etc. Bit like saying I’m not racist – I talk to my next door neighbour who’s black) You’re off to Amsterdam in a bit – is there really nothing to do? Do you know anyone who can’t get a job because a Pole has it (or do they really think working for Tesco is beneath them?)
I take it you aren’t as personally affected by all you say as it sounds………However, although we can agree that violence and crime is a worldwide, not a British problem, you are in Britain so you will slag Britain off. Just as those unhappy in US/OZ will slag off their host country as they are living there and don’t want to be.
What I’m trying to say is you have to try to be pragmatic. The WORLD is a violent, sometimes terrifying place – but what also makes us human is that it is also good and kind. It’s hard to see that (though I appreciate you tried in your post) when you’re not where you want to be. Take a few minutes to think about what you have and what is good. You are getting free education. You are off to Amsterdam. Presumably you will have some good banter there. You may be going with some British people (again –are they all right only cos they’re your friends/family/neighbours?)
A year in the UK, I felt like you sound. I go through periods of being very angry with myself for coming back. This year, the difference is I am not so arrogant to assume the UK should be Utopia to help me settle back. It owes me nothing. It’s a place, like any other. The real strength of character is found when however low you get, you can see that you are still a rich person in many ways. You have family, friends, health, a roof over your head, an education. Whether you stay or go, there will be knife crime wherever you live – you can’t alter this alone. All you can do is live the life you have to the fullest and best you can.
No-one should be so arrogant to suggest somewhere is better than somewhere else as though it were a fact. The fact is, you should live wherever you can cope with the global breakdown of society best. For some it’s the UK, with its “warts and all” familiarity and comforts, for others the challenge of the new. If you are someone who would prefer “the new”, go for it but remember – when you get down to the nitty gritty, its no Utopia anywhere and deal with it.
Equally, when people get upset when others moan about their new country and expect it owes them something, I get upset when people come back to the UK thinking it owes them something. It doesnt. You, and you alone, owe it to yourself to make the best life possible you can, and deserve to live where you want to. But its not the country's fault you are there and unhappy. Thats yours. For the most part (I dont know your cicumstances) people choose to come home. Then get on with it. Be that by having a glass full attitude or by focusing your energy for the next move.
I genuinely wish you well with your plans to leave again.
C
Last edited by chance to be; Jun 8th 2008 at 5:43 pm.
Jun 8th 2008, 7:38 pm
#100
Tea Drinker
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 5,387
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
Jun 8th 2008, 8:00 pm
#102
Tea Drinker
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 5,387
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
No, we daren't joke about a Super Moderator.. http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/admin.htm
Jun 8th 2008, 8:16 pm
#103
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
Nah, dont let the kids squabbling in the corner bother you, no one is going to throw rocks at you. We always like a good update.
Jun 8th 2008, 8:54 pm
#104
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Castle Hill, Sydney (previously Brum)
Posts: 1,095
Re: One Year back in the UK: My Reflections
Who moderates the Super Moderator...is there a 'Super-Dooper Moderator'?
No, we daren't joke about a Super Moderator.. http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/admin.htm
