Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Whatever gave you that idea?

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Why is it playing for me? Im not complaining about if kids should or should not receive physical discipline at school. Someone else mentioned the physical violence and humiliation at school I merely pointed out that eventually they might receive it in their workplace.
As long as the violin is playing some upbeat Irish tune Im ok with that.

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

I do miss the cultural connections and am not sure they can ever be replaced. An example - in the last couple of days I watched "Son of Rambow" (a rather good movie actually) with family (essentially cradle). I spent considerable time trying to explain Screen Test and Michael Rodd but some things cannot be explained. I should have known this, having once tried to describe Blockbusters and the urban legend relating to Baker Street. At least they didn't ask about Vision On :) A shared history, albeit shit, is important I think.

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Spend enough time here and the shared history comes and before you know it those u mingle with in the uk don't know what you are banging on about....a u gt blank stares talking about Mary mungo and midge....

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Are you on duty?

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

You're much more patient and generous than me. I can't be f***ed to explain anything cultural to N. Americans. They can look it up on the internet.

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

It's funny as their main reference points tend to be (1) Fawlty Towers (2) Monty Python (3) The Beatles; and (4) The Rolling Stones.

The "British Invasion" is still seen as quite contemporary I think. I once vaguely attempted to explain punk, but they couldn't get beyond The Clash. Problem is you need the class system to really understand humour and music.

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Just a wild stabbing hunch-like guess really

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Holy shit remind me not to apply for a job at your gaff :eek: or is that just the customers???

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

A bit of both really :lol:
I have seen staff get testy with each other but its mainly our interaction with the travellers where violence or the threats are more common.
Plus the humiliation is reserved for the newbies at work who think they know everything then mess something up :lol:

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

I punched an investment banker in the face a few times tonight. Does that help?

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Let me guess he brought you your current investment portfolio statement :lol:

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

I'm fairly new here but I saw this thread and thought it would be appropriate to share what living in the uk as a Canadian is like. I moved to the uk 4 years ago now to marry and have had the worst 4 years of my life. My marriage is fantastic but living in this hell hole is anything but. People here are outrageously rude and stuck up their own asses. I've yet in the 4 years I've lived here met anyone id actually want to stay in contact with. The government policies are just laughable and terrible, the work situation is griiiim... I've been out of work for ages. When I was working, I was abused by my manager, sworn at, gossiped about and put down constantly for my work which to anyone else but my manager was fine. In fact I quit that job actually after my psycho boss punched the printer and spent half an hour ranting about something which was not my fault.
She actually had a drug problem and brought her weed to work but no one had the balls to say boo to this lady and till this day, she's still employed there.
Anyway, the housing market is ridiculous here. You will get like a semi detached property for like 280-300 thousand £, and it will be hidious on the outside and most likely have about 1000 sqr ft on the inside. Rip off. In Canada I could buy a beautiful home with like 2000 sqr ft for same price in dollers.
People are always going to defend where they are from but Canada is one of the best places in the world to live. As for Canadians, we aren't boring, we just have good morals. I know I have much better things to do with my time than to waste every single evening down at a pub getting wasted.
Btw I am moving back to Canada hopefully with my husband this year so it's not all bad news. One things for sure, once I leave this anti social, disgustingly filthy place I'll never ever come back.

Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

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Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
 

Erm.......no, you've been a member of the forum for well over a year.

That's a shame, I'm sure they'd love to stay in contact with you. You seem such a sweet, gentle person. :eek:

Loving the irony of a Canadian complaining about a drug problem in the UK.

Compare prices in say, rural Norfolk, to Vancouver - the UK doesn't seem quite so pricey now does it?! ;):lol: We had the exact opposite experience, have bought a lovely house in the UK but couldn't afford to in Canada where we had to rent. So your sweeping generalisation can go both ways.

As do I. What makes you think everybody in the UK does that every night?

I'm sure you'll be desperately missed.