for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
Feb 21st 2011 | 7:59 am
#31
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
I remember my first trip to Canada. I stayed a month in the suburbs. I spent the first couple of weeks coughing up all the stuff I had been breathing in all my life in the UK. After my lungs were finally clear I breathed in the fresh clean air of the Canadian countryside.
When I went back to London I was hit by the stench of 100 different restaurants and unwashed people all mixed together. After a few hours, I felt like my nose was on fire. I notice all the rubish which people would casually throw on the ground.
I spoke to a few of my friends who had come from other countries and asked if they had noticed the general grubbiness. Thier response was that they had and they were surprised by the extent of it as they had expected the streets of London to be paved with gold rather than dog poo.
I contrast an experience which I had had whilst in Canada where someone got on a bus without change. They asked for help and a few people came forward to help them. I got on a bus in london and the bus driver had no change I asked if anyone had change for a fiver and no one would make eye contact. All I heard was a couple of people complaining. The bus driver told me he would wait if I went across the road to change it, but as soon as I was out of sight he was gone.
After a few weeks I was able to get the friendly smile off my face (it made me a target for pushy salespeople and beggars). I also put the rush back into my step and the sneer back on my face.
Since becoming a PR, I have been in Canada for nearly 3 years. Soon, I will be going back to the UK for a visit. I know what to expect, but I still intend to have fun.
When I went back to London I was hit by the stench of 100 different restaurants and unwashed people all mixed together. After a few hours, I felt like my nose was on fire. I notice all the rubish which people would casually throw on the ground.
I spoke to a few of my friends who had come from other countries and asked if they had noticed the general grubbiness. Thier response was that they had and they were surprised by the extent of it as they had expected the streets of London to be paved with gold rather than dog poo.
I contrast an experience which I had had whilst in Canada where someone got on a bus without change. They asked for help and a few people came forward to help them. I got on a bus in london and the bus driver had no change I asked if anyone had change for a fiver and no one would make eye contact. All I heard was a couple of people complaining. The bus driver told me he would wait if I went across the road to change it, but as soon as I was out of sight he was gone.
After a few weeks I was able to get the friendly smile off my face (it made me a target for pushy salespeople and beggars). I also put the rush back into my step and the sneer back on my face.
Since becoming a PR, I have been in Canada for nearly 3 years. Soon, I will be going back to the UK for a visit. I know what to expect, but I still intend to have fun.
I saw lately that on the BBCs' CBeebies channel they're now showing a children's programme called Rastamouse.
Although I'm unsure how to direct my anger. Not sure if this programme symbolizes the perceived dissolution of Anglo-Saxon culture by the ever increasing weight of multiculturalism or that it reinforces and simplifies racial stereotypes about British Afro-Caribbean culture?
Feb 21st 2011 | 8:11 am
#32
Lowering the tone
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,154
From: Here and there
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
I saw lately that on the BBCs' CBeebies channel they're now showing a children's programme called Rastamouse.
Although I'm unsure how to direct my anger. Not sure if this programme symbolizes the perceived dissolution of Anglo-Saxon culture by the ever increasing weight of multiculturalism or that it reinforces and simplifies racial stereotypes about British Afro-Caribbean culture?
Although I'm unsure how to direct my anger. Not sure if this programme symbolizes the perceived dissolution of Anglo-Saxon culture by the ever increasing weight of multiculturalism or that it reinforces and simplifies racial stereotypes about British Afro-Caribbean culture?
Coming next... "The Adventures of Ku Klux Kat, British National Parrot and Al-Quaedog."
Feb 21st 2011 | 8:35 am
#33
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
I'll have half.
Feb 21st 2011 | 9:01 am
#34
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 888
From: 100 mile house BC (tiz a long way away from devon)
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
Hi
To the originator of this thread thanks for posting
I funnily had just heard similar experience stories from two people at work,but they had done it quite a few years ago.
I hear from my wife when she visits the UK a similar story, and we were in a small town, not a big city.
I haven't been back personally,We all hope we never to have to move back.
I remember someone quote once here on this forum.
'It's not the promised land but the nearest I will get'
Or something like that...
This sums up Canada for me, as an overall package,It's the best place I have lived and will ever live.
Cheers
Jerry
To the originator of this thread thanks for posting
I funnily had just heard similar experience stories from two people at work,but they had done it quite a few years ago.
I hear from my wife when she visits the UK a similar story, and we were in a small town, not a big city.
I haven't been back personally,We all hope we never to have to move back.
I remember someone quote once here on this forum.
'It's not the promised land but the nearest I will get'
Or something like that...
This sums up Canada for me, as an overall package,It's the best place I have lived and will ever live.
Cheers
Jerry
Feb 21st 2011 | 9:45 am
#36
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 888
From: 100 mile house BC (tiz a long way away from devon)
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
Hi
Nope.....
as I understand it reality can only be found at the bottom of a bottle of beer or a bottle of wine.
And I am still searching for it.
cheers
Jerry
Nope.....
as I understand it reality can only be found at the bottom of a bottle of beer or a bottle of wine.
And I am still searching for it.
cheers
Jerry
Feb 21st 2011 | 10:11 am
#37
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,517
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
It's quite amazing, isn't it, how different people percieve the same things.
We visited London this summer, first time back since we lived there over 10 years ago. My first impressions were those of cleanliness, vibrancy, prosperity, but most of all, energy, energy, energy! This sights, the sounds, the noises, the smells, the colours, the people... it all made you feel like you were alive and part of a city that was full of life and raring to get on with life. The diversity of being able to go from somewhere vibrant and lively like Brixton to somewhere classical and serious - so completely different - like Westminster within a mile or two is so refreshing.
We visited London this summer, first time back since we lived there over 10 years ago. My first impressions were those of cleanliness, vibrancy, prosperity, but most of all, energy, energy, energy! This sights, the sounds, the noises, the smells, the colours, the people... it all made you feel like you were alive and part of a city that was full of life and raring to get on with life. The diversity of being able to go from somewhere vibrant and lively like Brixton to somewhere classical and serious - so completely different - like Westminster within a mile or two is so refreshing.
Feb 21st 2011 | 10:20 am
#38
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40,070
From: Ontario
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
It's the greeness that blows me away. You come down towards London after weeks or months in Canada and it's stunning how pastoral the city looks.
Feb 21st 2011 | 10:32 am
#39
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 829
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
I lived in London for most of my life and pretty much took for granted all the things that you find amazing.
In the touristy bits, there is lots to see and do.
There are also many amazing places to live if you have the money.
But when you get away from the tourist and richer areas there is another world to see. I had a friend who came over from the US and lived with his family in a bedsit (one room apartement) in the wrong part of town. They enjoyed their time in London, saw more sites than I saw in my whole life and walked through situations of deadly peril totally unawares. They were so open and friendly that even the criminals left them alone.
I have great memories of visiting many of those areas and seeing those sites as a child, but after a while they lose their charm.
In the touristy bits, there is lots to see and do.
There are also many amazing places to live if you have the money.
But when you get away from the tourist and richer areas there is another world to see. I had a friend who came over from the US and lived with his family in a bedsit (one room apartement) in the wrong part of town. They enjoyed their time in London, saw more sites than I saw in my whole life and walked through situations of deadly peril totally unawares. They were so open and friendly that even the criminals left them alone.
I have great memories of visiting many of those areas and seeing those sites as a child, but after a while they lose their charm.
Feb 21st 2011 | 11:57 am
#42
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 173
From: Fredericton, NB
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
The UK is great if you can afford it but that's the problem, lots of people can't afford it. Not everyone has the luxury of moving to beautiful rural villages or green areas of London.
Before moving to Canada we lived in Erith, an area in South East London/ north Kent, it was dirty and deprived, there was litter everywhere, hoodies outside the local shops every night and I never felt safe walking home after dark. Could we have moved? Probably, but to an equal as s**t area since my job tied me to the city.
Where we live now is clean and friendly and I have never felt threatened. We also have a much more active social life then we have had in years.
Before moving to Canada we lived in Erith, an area in South East London/ north Kent, it was dirty and deprived, there was litter everywhere, hoodies outside the local shops every night and I never felt safe walking home after dark. Could we have moved? Probably, but to an equal as s**t area since my job tied me to the city.
Where we live now is clean and friendly and I have never felt threatened. We also have a much more active social life then we have had in years.
Feb 21st 2011 | 12:30 pm
#43
Displaced Disgrace
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 745
From: HRM N.S.
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
Before moving to Canada we lived in Erith, an area in South East London/ north Kent, it was dirty and deprived, there was litter everywhere, hoodies outside the local shops every night and I never felt safe walking home after dark..
I love all this vibrant & edgy bullshit..
I lived in SE London for my whole life & I love it but the truth is it's violent, economically suppressed & filthy..
Three of my close friends were stabbed as teenagers (average kids, not yobs), a close friends dad was dragged from the bus he was driving (In Brixton) & was beaten so badly he was in a coma for over a week & in intensive care for months (This was 20 years ago)..
I've been stabbed by a mugger, my mum's been mugged, countless friends have been mugged & beaten..
I'm sure Hampstead is delightful or some quaint village in The Cotswolds but that's not the reality for most..
If I'd lived in some bucolic idyll I probably wouldn't have felt the need to GTFO...
Feb 21st 2011 | 12:34 pm
#44
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,517
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
We lived in Plumstead, same deal..
I love all this vibrant & edgy bullshit..
I lived in SE London for my whole life & I love it but the truth is it's violent, economically suppressed & filthy..
Three of my close friends were stabbed as teenagers (average kids, not yobs), a close friends dad was dragged from the bus he was driving (In Brixton) & was beaten so badly he was in a coma for over a week & in intensive care for months (This was 20 years ago)..
I've been stabbed by a mugger, my mum's been mugged, countless friends have been mugged & beaten..
I'm sure Hampstead is delightful or some quaint village in The Cotswolds but that's not the reality for most..
If I'd lived in some bucolic idyll I probably wouldn't have felt the need to GTFO...
I love all this vibrant & edgy bullshit..
I lived in SE London for my whole life & I love it but the truth is it's violent, economically suppressed & filthy..
Three of my close friends were stabbed as teenagers (average kids, not yobs), a close friends dad was dragged from the bus he was driving (In Brixton) & was beaten so badly he was in a coma for over a week & in intensive care for months (This was 20 years ago)..
I've been stabbed by a mugger, my mum's been mugged, countless friends have been mugged & beaten..
I'm sure Hampstead is delightful or some quaint village in The Cotswolds but that's not the reality for most..
If I'd lived in some bucolic idyll I probably wouldn't have felt the need to GTFO...
It's understandable that many want to justify their move by slagging off every single aspect of British life, however that's as unrealistic as the 'idyllic Cotswolds' approach.
Feb 21st 2011 | 12:38 pm
#45
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,244
From: Toronto, ON
Re: for all of those thinking of returning to the uk
The UK is great if you can afford it but that's the problem, lots of people can't afford it. Not everyone has the luxury of moving to beautiful rural villages or green areas of London.
Before moving to Canada we lived in Erith, an area in South East London/ north Kent, it was dirty and deprived, there was litter everywhere, hoodies outside the local shops every night and I never felt safe walking home after dark. Could we have moved? Probably, but to an equal as s**t area since my job tied me to the city.
Where we live now is clean and friendly and I have never felt threatened. We also have a much more active social life then we have had in years.
Before moving to Canada we lived in Erith, an area in South East London/ north Kent, it was dirty and deprived, there was litter everywhere, hoodies outside the local shops every night and I never felt safe walking home after dark. Could we have moved? Probably, but to an equal as s**t area since my job tied me to the city.
Where we live now is clean and friendly and I have never felt threatened. We also have a much more active social life then we have had in years.
