Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
#106
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
On the whole though BBC content is much more reliable though than anything in north america but that should be no suprise though as it's well funded and has a public service rather than ratings target.
#107
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
Some of the PBS documentaries are good saw some of the prohibition one recently, civil war is a good series. The national parks one is interesting but rather self congratulatory. PBS content includes old BBC stuff doesn't it - Midsomer Murders, Keeping Up Appearances etc?
On the whole though BBC content is much more reliable though than anything in north america but that should be no suprise though as it's well funded and has a public service rather than ratings target.
On the whole though BBC content is much more reliable though than anything in north america but that should be no suprise though as it's well funded and has a public service rather than ratings target.
I really like PBS Knowledge here in BC has interesting docs too.
#108
Yorkshire meets Vegas
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: T. ON (so there!)
Posts: 1,354
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
East Dulwich was by no means a bad area to live. In contrast, up to a couple of weeks ago when my car was keyed in the Costco car park, I've never really had to think about crime. This is despite the fact that I live in downtown Toronto and work in Parkdale. I'm happy not to lock the doors when I'm at home, and even have the front door open in the Summer.
When I came here on my reccy trip, I stayed with FOF in Burlington who left the front door open when they took the dog for an hour long walk. I nearly had heart failure, but they didn't give it a second thought. When I lived in Oakville, I hardly ever locked the front door, and never locked my patio doors.
There's absolutely no comparison with the levels of petty (and more serious) crime around the part of Canada I live to London.
#109
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
On the other hand thinking you are going to be knifed if you make eye contact with strangers doesnt tie in with experience in most of the UK surely?
#110
Yorkshire meets Vegas
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: T. ON (so there!)
Posts: 1,354
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
When I first moved to East Dulwich I made the mistake of finding myself at Peckham bus station in a suit with a briefcase around midnight. I've never been so scared in my life, and I'm not someone who is unreasonably scared of violent crime. I would never for example, have thought twice about walking about on my own at night back in Leeds.
#111
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
I must be the only one that can't stand the over sentimentalized, wistfully nostalgic bollox of American exceptionalism that Burns peddles. And as for his narration, it either puts you to sleep or makes you vomit.
#112
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
The point is though that there are plenty of bits of the UK that are not cursed with antisocial behaviour, so to paint the whole of the UK as terrible and use it as a reason to go live in Vancouver really doesnt withstand any sort of critical analysis.
Last edited by iaink; Oct 27th 2011 at 7:31 pm.
#113
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
Of course he's welcome to his opinion of Canadian TV because ultimately it doesn't matter. Complaints about shitty TV might have been valid 10 years ago, but what with the internet, decent TV is only a few clicks away. There is no need to put up with the local shite if you don't want to.
#114
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
I thought Steve_ was being ironic He wasn't seriously suggesting that they really were superior was he?
Of course he's welcome to his opinion of Canadian TV because ultimately it doesn't matter. Complaints about shitty TV might have been valid 10 years ago, but what with the internet, decent TV is only a few clicks away. There is no need to put up with the local shite if you don't want to.
Of course he's welcome to his opinion of Canadian TV because ultimately it doesn't matter. Complaints about shitty TV might have been valid 10 years ago, but what with the internet, decent TV is only a few clicks away. There is no need to put up with the local shite if you don't want to.
#115
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
I'd have to agree with the OP about his London experience. I lived in East Dulwich between 1998 and 2004, and had 1 burglary, two attempted burglaries, one peeping tom and one stalker. Someone once stole my spade and hose from the garden shed. My Dad had his passenger window broken and car broken into when my parents came to stay.
East Dulwich was by no means a bad area to live. In contrast, up to a couple of weeks ago when my car was keyed in the Costco car park, I've never really had to think about crime. This is despite the fact that I live in downtown Toronto and work in Parkdale. I'm happy not to lock the doors when I'm at home, and even have the front door open in the Summer.
When I came here on my reccy trip, I stayed with FOF in Burlington who left the front door open when they took the dog for an hour long walk. I nearly had heart failure, but they didn't give it a second thought. When I lived in Oakville, I hardly ever locked the front door, and never locked my patio doors.
There's absolutely no comparison with the levels of petty (and more serious) crime around the part of Canada I live to London.
East Dulwich was by no means a bad area to live. In contrast, up to a couple of weeks ago when my car was keyed in the Costco car park, I've never really had to think about crime. This is despite the fact that I live in downtown Toronto and work in Parkdale. I'm happy not to lock the doors when I'm at home, and even have the front door open in the Summer.
When I came here on my reccy trip, I stayed with FOF in Burlington who left the front door open when they took the dog for an hour long walk. I nearly had heart failure, but they didn't give it a second thought. When I lived in Oakville, I hardly ever locked the front door, and never locked my patio doors.
There's absolutely no comparison with the levels of petty (and more serious) crime around the part of Canada I live to London.
I imagine most people choose to move to a nicer area so obviously comparisons are going to be skewed.
You can't judge a country by one area within it.
#117
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
.... but comparing the most similar areas - middle class downtown Toronto, with middle class central London shows that there are significantly different levels of criminality. And yes, I would have been scared to look a number of bus passengers on the bus from Victoria through the Elephant and Castle and Camberwell in the eye.
When I first moved to East Dulwich I made the mistake of finding myself at Peckham bus station in a suit with a briefcase around midnight. I've never been so scared in my life, and I'm not someone who is unreasonably scared of violent crime. I would never for example, have thought twice about walking about on my own at night back in Leeds.
When I first moved to East Dulwich I made the mistake of finding myself at Peckham bus station in a suit with a briefcase around midnight. I've never been so scared in my life, and I'm not someone who is unreasonably scared of violent crime. I would never for example, have thought twice about walking about on my own at night back in Leeds.
On the TV subject, there is no way on earth that North American TV can stack up to UK TV. It isn't just the BBC, but ITV dramas and C4 documentaries. I think Steve's being ironic ...
#120
Yorkshire meets Vegas
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: T. ON (so there!)
Posts: 1,354
Re: Your observations when visiting UK from Canada !
I lived in Dulwich Village for a while. It's surrounded by turds but never once did i feel unsafe travelling around anywhere. Didn't have any issues at all other than a bus took off my wing mirror once
I imagine most people choose to move to a nicer area so obviously comparisons are going to be skewed.
You can't judge a country by one area within it.
I imagine most people choose to move to a nicer area so obviously comparisons are going to be skewed.
You can't judge a country by one area within it.