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Just how bad is the UK?
After over 5 years in Canada without a trip back to the UK, we're thinking about a vacation going back "home".
To be honest ... our big concern is that we'll like it better than Canada!! Anyone care to comment?? |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Cowtown
After over 5 years in Canada without a trip back to the UK, we're thinking about a vacation going back "home".
To be honest ... our big concern is that we'll like it better than Canada!! Anyone care to comment?? |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
You like garbage ? It's all about the garbage, man.
Back in the (Y)UK our former council has started fining peeps who put their garbage out too early. Bin men are on strike and rubbish litters the streets, people wander around awash in flying wind-blown black bin bags, paper, food wrappers, and wander the puke-covered streets amid dog crap and old ladies wigs etc. The bin man take a crew of eight overweight moody skinheaded knuckle-dragging slobs to do their rounds, and refuse to take anything not on their standard list of carriageable items. The only thing I'd hand them at Christmas was a lit banger wrapped in dog turds. Here one pays a tax to the City who proffer the services of one man, yes, just one man, who drives around hoppiing merrily from his dump cart and collects pretty much anything you wish to dispose of, within reason. Large 5 foot square card board boxs, old carpets, appliances (small ones), dead pets etc. Then the same crewman comes around to collect the recycleables too. It's all very civilized, like most things Canadian, and if anything is blowing around in the wind he'll endeavour to capture it and put it in the dump cart. It's all about having to be efficient and in the respect of garbage Canada has the winning deal. You can measure a nation by it's garbage, IMHO Canada wins easily, 8/10 versus 3/10. For the sake of your garbage, never go back. Rich. |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Rich_007
Here one pays a tax to the City who proffer the services of one man, yes, just one man, who drives around hoppiing merrily from his dump cart and collects pretty much anything you wish to dispose of, within reason.
Recycling? Take it along yourself!! |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Cowtown
Not in Calgary my friend ... dare put a burnt out microwave with the garbage, it will be left ... old flourescent light fiittings, no chance ... it's a long list.
Rich. |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Cowtown
After over 5 years in Canada without a trip back to the UK, we're thinking about a vacation going back "home".
To be honest ... our big concern is that we'll like it better than Canada!! Anyone care to comment?? I go back to the UK from time to time and I do feel that it has changed and there is a certain dynamism in the air. Just recently I've been working with a lot of Brits, and frankly I'm really enjoying that as they're more fun than Belgians! Yet after a few days you begin to realise that the reasons you left the UK are still there. I can't say I'm happy to go back to Belgium, because for us we know it's time to move on and the UK was one of our potential destinations. Go back, you'll have fun over here and you'll better understand how you feel about Canada. |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
4 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Rich_007
You like garbage ? It's all about the garbage, man.
Back in the (Y)UK our former council has started fining peeps who put their garbage out too early. Bin men are on strike and rubbish litters the streets, people wander around awash in flying wind-blown black bin bags, paper, food wrappers, and wander the puke-covered streets amid dog crap and old ladies wigs etc. The bin man take a crew of eight overweight moody skinheaded knuckle-dragging slobs to do their rounds, and refuse to take anything not on their standard list of carriageable items. The only thing I'd hand them at Christmas was a lit banger wrapped in dog turds. Here one pays a tax to the City who proffer the services of one man, yes, just one man, who drives around hoppiing merrily from his dump cart and collects pretty much anything you wish to dispose of, within reason. Large 5 foot square card board boxs, old carpets, appliances (small ones), dead pets etc. Then the same crewman comes around to collect the recycleables too. It's all very civilized, like most things Canadian, and if anything is blowing around in the wind he'll endeavour to capture it and put it in the dump cart. It's all about having to be efficient and in the respect of garbage Canada has the winning deal. You can measure a nation by it's garbage, IMHO Canada wins easily, 8/10 versus 3/10. For the sake of your garbage, never go back. Rich. This is my streets regular occurence, if yer wanting pics of rubbish here you go lol :D |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
There was also an article in our local paper this week saying they are on about attaching a bug to everyones bin and if your bin is over a certain weight you will get fined!!! :eek: What is the world coming to! Do we not already pay enough taxes to this country... and where does it go??
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Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Cowtown
After over 5 years in Canada without a trip back to the UK, we're thinking about a vacation going back "home".
To be honest ... our big concern is that we'll like it better than Canada!! Anyone care to comment?? I didn't go back for ten years after moving here - I kept getting attacks of home sickness, and when I finally got there, I wish I'd done it sooner; it would have cured me quicker! But maybe it won't be like that for you - we're all different, after all ;) Now I'm back in a 'wanting to go home phase' again, but for much more complicated personal reasons. I still know deep down that it's not the answer, though. I've changed too much as a result of the experience of being away so long, and it will never be the same....... |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Calgal
Trust me - you won't!
I didn't go back for ten years after moving here - I kept getting attacks of home sickness, and when I finally got there, I wish I'd done it sooner; it would have cured me quicker! But maybe it won't be like that for you - we're all different, after all ;) Now I'm back in a 'wanting to go home phase' again, but for much more complicated personal reasons. I still know deep down that it's not the answer, though. I've changed too much as a result of the experience of being away so long, and it will never be the same....... Once you leave, you change who you are. You're never fully British again, you've chosen to emmigrate and you become a different person. It's, in many ways, hard to fit in 100% anywhere. |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
I know we're not Britain bashing but I feel I should spring to the defence of it at this point...
Yes, we are excited about leaving, yes, I think Canada has much more to offer us at this stage in our life and yes, I do believe that Canada has a lot more positives than the UK and a future that seems to be viable and realistic. However..... we do have a lot to be proud of and I for one will be sad to leave these things behind: Our history and historical buildings (ok so I know we probably have 'peaked' and history is not going to build our future but it's there nonetheless) Our humour - so varied, so cheeky, so me... :D Funnily enough, our one off documentaries and dramas - don't seem to find better ones in other places but that could just be me... and I really do appreciate these (luckily i'm not a TV addict so I can live without the rest easily LOL) Variety of clothing for all shapes and sizes - I do fear for anyone who is a size 6 or size 18+ (UK) in Canada unless you want to live in 'old women' style clothing or teenage fashion when you're in your 30s. It's not superficial to want to want to dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable about yourself and dressing for your shape helps that and yes, all hail to be able to slob about (cos Lord knows I do) but everyday, no. European influence - eeeeek, yes I know, but it has helped shape who we are and also I just love the idea of being able to pop over to one of my fave cities (Paris) Little villages and all that goes with them, old churches, weird little fetes, village halls etc. Home cooked food and good choice in supermarkets - I don't know enough about the Canadian food to make a comparison so I won't. When we ate out over there it was great but have yet to experience home cooking on the new turf :D These are not reasons to stay in the UK, and obviously, we have chosen to make a new life somewhere else but, as much as I am saddened to see our national identity being wiped out from under us, the future being in doubt for many of our young people (in terms of getting a well paid job, a home and general security), high crime levels and the ever increasing threat of no future for the old people either (pensions etc.) I am proud to be British and am grateful to have been born into this country - without it (or may I add my fab family and friends) I would not have my humour, my sense of identity or the knowledge that there are better places out there and there are also worse. I agree with everyone here who has said that you need to visit and see for yourself - I think you will see just how much you appreciate Canada and that you have chosen the best path but maybe it will also remind you that the things that are great about Britain are still there in abundance but they are not necessarily the things that should keep you in a country. My hubs and I may not want to live here but I am sure glad we came from here in the first place... Good luck and hope I can remember this thread when I am having bouts of homesickness!! Ki :) |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Ki76
These are not reasons to stay in the UK, and obviously, we have chosen to make a new life somewhere else but, as much as I am saddened to see our national identity being wiped out from under us, the future being in doubt for many of our young people (in terms of getting a well paid job, a home and general security), high crime levels and the ever increasing threat of no future for the old people either (pensions etc.) I am proud to be British and am grateful to have been born into this country - without it (or may I add my fab family and friends) I would not have my humour, my sense of identity or the knowledge that there are better places out there and there are also worse.Ki :)
I'm going back next month for a week or so to catch up with family and friends. (and cask conditioned ale!). First time in 18mths. TBH I'm a little ambivalent about the trip but am looking forwrd to it overall. Mrs AX is very supportive - she'd experienced living away (UK) for 5 years so understands the whole homesickness thing well. I'm sure I'm going to have a good time but I'm also pretty convinced that there will be a smile on my face when I get off the plane in St. John's at the end of it! :) |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Canada2006
Once you leave, you change who you are. You're never fully British again, you've chosen to emmigrate and you become a different person. It's, in many ways, hard to fit in 100% anywhere.
I couldnt have said it better myself, the times i have gone back I have never really fitted in because I am different now. Well said. |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
LOL! Most of those things you list Ki are exactly why I still love living in the UK after 3 years :D
Could do with more sunshine though ;) |
Re: Just how bad is the UK?
Originally Posted by Rich_007
You like garbage ? It's all about the garbage, man.
Back in the (Y)UK our former council has started fining peeps who put their garbage out too early. Bin men are on strike and rubbish litters the streets, people wander around awash in flying wind-blown black bin bags, paper, food wrappers, and wander the puke-covered streets amid dog crap and old ladies wigs etc. The bin man take a crew of eight overweight moody skinheaded knuckle-dragging slobs to do their rounds, and refuse to take anything not on their standard list of carriageable items. The only thing I'd hand them at Christmas was a lit banger wrapped in dog turds. Here one pays a tax to the City who proffer the services of one man, yes, just one man, who drives around hoppiing merrily from his dump cart and collects pretty much anything you wish to dispose of, within reason. Large 5 foot square card board boxs, old carpets, appliances (small ones), dead pets etc. Then the same crewman comes around to collect the recycleables too. It's all very civilized, like most things Canadian, and if anything is blowing around in the wind he'll endeavour to capture it and put it in the dump cart. It's all about having to be efficient and in the respect of garbage Canada has the winning deal. You can measure a nation by it's garbage, IMHO Canada wins easily, 8/10 versus 3/10. For the sake of your garbage, never go back. Rich. My wife is from Ukraine and cannot believe the Cities she's been to are so dirty, all her friends from Eastern Europe also think so and I must agree with them. Th eproblem is that councils charge everyone extortionate amounts of money in council tax and most of it goes on salaries for all the wallers sitting in council buildings so then they say they can't afford people to keep the streets clean :D |
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