First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
#16
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
And to the public, at least how it's been portrayed in Sweden, Britain did away with the class society and treated everyone equal, welcomed the immigrants with open arms and had no racism.
Yeah right.
#17
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Joined: Sep 2011
Location: Cumbernauld, near Glasgow
Posts: 220
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
This thing about building a bar in your basement, I don't get it. I remember the first time somebody invited me down to their "bar"! I though to myself, no thanks! I've seen silence of the lambs. Ok then, why don't we sit under my garage door? You're having a laugh aren't you! Alright then we'll go to to the local tavern. The lad I'm with asks for a separate tab because my pint costs 10cents more than his and the girl behind the bar wants an insane tip because she likes to wobble her chest back and forth!
Living near downtown T.O. is different of course, there's plenty there to do but like so many other areas in the GTA, there's a lack of a hub for people to go to once in a while to have a good time. The U.K. has many faults of course but I really missed being able to go out for a few Shandy's and some dinner in the town.
Of course, I'm exaggerating a bit here. I met many good Canadians of whom I'm still friends with today and some expats too - although I found none more jealous and deliberately unhelpful than many expats which I encountered during my time out there.
Living near downtown T.O. is different of course, there's plenty there to do but like so many other areas in the GTA, there's a lack of a hub for people to go to once in a while to have a good time. The U.K. has many faults of course but I really missed being able to go out for a few Shandy's and some dinner in the town.
Of course, I'm exaggerating a bit here. I met many good Canadians of whom I'm still friends with today and some expats too - although I found none more jealous and deliberately unhelpful than many expats which I encountered during my time out there.
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 154
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
This thing about building a bar in your basement, I don't get it. I remember the first time somebody invited me down to their "bar"! I though to myself, no thanks! I've seen silence of the lambs. Ok then, why don't we sit under my garage door? You're having a laugh aren't you! Alright then we'll go to to the local tavern. The lad I'm with asks for a separate tab because my pint costs 10cents more than his and the girl behind the bar wants an insane tip because she likes to wobble her chest back and forth!
Living near downtown T.O. is different of course, there's plenty there to do but like so many other areas in the GTA, there's a lack of a hub for people to go to once in a while to have a good time. The U.K. has many faults of course but I really missed being able to go out for a few Shandy's and some dinner in the town.
Of course, I'm exaggerating a bit here. I met many good Canadians of whom I'm still friends with today and some expats too - although I found none more jealous and deliberately unhelpful than many expats which I encountered during my time out there.
Living near downtown T.O. is different of course, there's plenty there to do but like so many other areas in the GTA, there's a lack of a hub for people to go to once in a while to have a good time. The U.K. has many faults of course but I really missed being able to go out for a few Shandy's and some dinner in the town.
Of course, I'm exaggerating a bit here. I met many good Canadians of whom I'm still friends with today and some expats too - although I found none more jealous and deliberately unhelpful than many expats which I encountered during my time out there.
#19
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Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Barrie
Posts: 349
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Works for me seriously, after a week of grumpy munters slinging badly cooked slop in front of me back in the UK, I'm happy to cough up my 15% for hot totty dishing up decent grub!
#20
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
I read that and thought "wow, I really am Canadian".
#21
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Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
I like England. I like the English. I have however been unhappy at times if visiting dodgy areas with my husband. His Canadian accent is very pronounced, and people stare and make me feel very uncomfortable. He being male, is oblivious. I would be frightened to live in England now, I would be constantly waiting for some form of unexpected aggression. I think it's so sad. Maybe this is just a short and passing phase.
#22
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
I think you guys are generalising a bit too much here!
Yes there are chavs in the UK that like nothing better than a bit of trouble and yes house prices are inflated...
I too come from West Sussex and loved the country, have some lovely friends and miss the whole lot terribly at times. But...
...in Canada, my part anyway, the kids use weed, there are very run down areas and the Canadians do have a different mentality and outlook on life which takes some getting used to.
So I would say it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other really if I'm honest. I'm loving the space around me here which granted was lacking in the UK and enjoying the adventure but to write off the UK is a bit harsh
Yes there are chavs in the UK that like nothing better than a bit of trouble and yes house prices are inflated...
I too come from West Sussex and loved the country, have some lovely friends and miss the whole lot terribly at times. But...
...in Canada, my part anyway, the kids use weed, there are very run down areas and the Canadians do have a different mentality and outlook on life which takes some getting used to.
So I would say it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other really if I'm honest. I'm loving the space around me here which granted was lacking in the UK and enjoying the adventure but to write off the UK is a bit harsh
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
I think you guys are generalising a bit too much here!
Yes there are chavs in the UK that like nothing better than a bit of trouble and yes house prices are inflated...
I too come from West Sussex and loved the country, have some lovely friends and miss the whole lot terribly at times. But...
...in Canada, my part anyway, the kids use weed, there are very run down areas and the Canadians do have a different mentality and outlook on life which takes some getting used to.
So I would say it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other really if I'm honest. I'm loving the space around me here which granted was lacking in the UK and enjoying the adventure but to write off the UK is a bit harsh
Yes there are chavs in the UK that like nothing better than a bit of trouble and yes house prices are inflated...
I too come from West Sussex and loved the country, have some lovely friends and miss the whole lot terribly at times. But...
...in Canada, my part anyway, the kids use weed, there are very run down areas and the Canadians do have a different mentality and outlook on life which takes some getting used to.
So I would say it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other really if I'm honest. I'm loving the space around me here which granted was lacking in the UK and enjoying the adventure but to write off the UK is a bit harsh
#25
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
The joke is that he's living in Barrie. Yesterday we were in Detroit, surrounded by burned out buildings, discussing the need to get groceries today:
"It'd save a drive if we went into the Costco in Barrie" I said
there was a pause
"Barrie, are you really up for that?"
We're undecided, we'll be near that Costco later but there are so many rednecks, so many people in pyjamas, it's so like peopleofwalmart that, to be safe, we may go to Brampton instead.
"It'd save a drive if we went into the Costco in Barrie" I said
there was a pause
"Barrie, are you really up for that?"
We're undecided, we'll be near that Costco later but there are so many rednecks, so many people in pyjamas, it's so like peopleofwalmart that, to be safe, we may go to Brampton instead.
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 188
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
I arrived in Canada back in July. I have loved it here from the get go. Yes I get annoyed at a few things, like we are totally ripped off here on certain items, the TV is total rubbish (thank goodness iPlayer is now available here) and the 401 makes the M25 look like a quiet country road full of polite thoughtful people, but I know that this place is way better than the country I was born in and lived in for 43 years. Going back at Christmas totally confirmed this.
England is a DREARY OVERPRICED CHAV INFESTED DUMP.
I saw the sun for about 10 minutes for the whole of the week I was there. I was gobsmacked at how small my friends houses felt after getting used to sizes here. The aggression and general look on people's faces was depressing. I had a group of drunken chavs pick a fight with me on Christmas day. Everywhere looked a bit run down and worn out. Lots of stuff was expensive, and especially houses still. Even villages that I once thought were cute just looked grim.
The only thing I miss about the UK is the wonderful friends and family I have left behind, but with time, hard work and patience, I will develop a good social network here.
Basically, I couldn't wait to get home...Canada.
England is a DREARY OVERPRICED CHAV INFESTED DUMP.
I saw the sun for about 10 minutes for the whole of the week I was there. I was gobsmacked at how small my friends houses felt after getting used to sizes here. The aggression and general look on people's faces was depressing. I had a group of drunken chavs pick a fight with me on Christmas day. Everywhere looked a bit run down and worn out. Lots of stuff was expensive, and especially houses still. Even villages that I once thought were cute just looked grim.
The only thing I miss about the UK is the wonderful friends and family I have left behind, but with time, hard work and patience, I will develop a good social network here.
Basically, I couldn't wait to get home...Canada.
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
We are in the immigration process, we like what we saw on our two trips to Canada, BUT... we have a good life in the UK, big house, BMW, good jobs etc..
Whats annoying is when people move over and slate the UK .. especially after only being in their new country 2 mins.... comparrisons can be made after, say.. five years, when you really know whats what... some of the posts look like they have been posted by a 12 year old....
Whats annoying is when people move over and slate the UK .. especially after only being in their new country 2 mins.... comparrisons can be made after, say.. five years, when you really know whats what... some of the posts look like they have been posted by a 12 year old....
#29
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Whats annoying is when people move over and slate the UK .. especially after only being in their new country 2 mins.... comparrisons can be made after, say.. five years, when you really know whats what... some of the posts look like they have been posted by a 12 year old....
#30
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Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 188
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Because I could. It could equally have been anywhere in the UK but I wanted to experience something a little further afield. It certainly wasn't because I don't like the UK, in fact, I still have property there and I probably will share my time between Canada and the UK. I will never forget what living in the UK enabled me to do. It provided me with a good education, a reasonably paid job and the experience to be able to submit a skilled worker application to get me into Canada. I will always be grateful to the UK for that and perhaps those UK knockers should just stop and appreciate what it has given them.