British Expats - Missing the UK?

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- - Missing the UK? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/missing-uk-582169/)

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby Murray (Post 7133345)

We first landed here in 2003 but went back home for 8 months in 2005 (Jan-Aug) then came back here for a 2nd crack at the whip. Don't get me wrong...I did pay attention to the complaints my son made about the idiots in his class there and that the poor teacher hardly had the time to teach them anything but it's the "content and variety" that they learn about I miss. Kids in the UK learn so much about UK's history, Britain's diverse culture & many religions, Geography covers practically everywhere worldwide. Here in Canada, my kids don't have History, R.E. or Geography...they mold it all into one subject called Social Studies, which in my opinion, offers very limited worldwide knowledge. Also, my daughter is in Grade 6 right now, she'd be in Yr 7 and in her first year of high school if we were in the UK. My niece is in Yr 6 in primary school and she is doing the same stuff in Math that my daughter is currently being taught. Me personally, am not happy with the education my kids are being offered...I'm not saying everyone feels the same as me..this is just how I feel.

Driving: The drivers over here don't have a clue what you mean when flashing your headlights to let them out of a side road or into a gap. I believe to flash your headlights is a sign of anger..not 100%. Canadians tend to beckon their finger "if" they're feeling exceptionally courteous and let you out!! It's a well-known and accepted practice in the UK to flash your lights if someone needs to move out or pull into a lane and it's usually greeted with a raised hand in the rear view window or a couple of blinks on the indicators. I know this is still the common thing to do as I was back in the UK twice last year and it was such a relief to see such good road manners!

Aha, you see my kids go to a fabulous school here but we have to travel half an hour each way for it which isn't a great use of time but I do feel blessed we have this as an option here. However when I moved them to the school they were in classes of 18-20 (3 classes per year), but because the school gets such good grades the LEA just cut their budget and all they had to get rid of five teaching staff so the kids are now in classes of 34 with several other children due to move from other schools it is getting a little bit to cramped in there. These budget cuts seem to be happening to many of the schools that get good grades - so that the resources can be put into inner city schools. It really feels as if we are being sold down the river in many ways.

Re the driving I was surprised because people seemed a lot more courteous when we were out there - they actually stopped at four way crossings where nobody stops at a round about anymore and people doing right turns just seem to pull out regardless of whether there is any space or not.

Horses for courses isn't it? I guess if everyone loved there, everyone would be there and vice versa for it in the other direction.

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sas-lou (Post 7133365)

bloody hell :huh:

Well, after a year of applying for every job possible in the government, sitting government exams and doing interviews weekly, he's finally got his foot in the door! Started just before Christmas in the cushiest job ever .. totally mind-numbing, but the government benefits are great!! :thumbsup:

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrishB (Post 7133375)

Excellent. The hard work finally paid off ..:thumbsup:

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sas-lou (Post 7133389)

Excellent. The hard work finally paid off ..:thumbsup:

Now I want in :p

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by caroline_nisbet (Post 7132466)

Hi
I am jsut trying to get some more information about Canada before I make a decision about leaving the UK and wondered, from those that have already moved to Canada, what everyone misses from the UK?

Thanks,
Caz

I dont miss the Uk as such, I miss my mom and some of my family but mostly the silly things I miss, like oxo cubes ect does that count:blink:

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kate white (Post 7133407)

I dont miss the Uk as such, I miss my mom and some of my family but mostly the silly things I miss, like oxo cubes ect does that count:blink:

You can buy Oxo cubes in Canada ;)

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrishB (Post 7133411)

You can buy Oxo cubes in Canada ;)

Not in Calgary or possibly Alberta.:p

What you can or cannot get in Canada varies by region. ;)

Re: Missing the UK?

Miss nothing, maybe my old job ( which is much changed anyway since I left ), but apart from that can't see myself returning barring any disaster.

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P (Post 7133431)

What you can or cannot get in Canada varies by region. ;)

yep...... we can get most things in the GTA

suppose thats the benifit of being the true centre of the Universe

and not some down trodden god forsaken frozen backwater (read rest of Canada)

:p

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeUK (Post 7133696)

suppose that's the benefit of being the true centre of the Universe

and not some down trodden god forsaken frozen backwater (read rest of Canada)

:p

I see you've adopted the Toronto attitude toward the rest of the country quite readily. :p:D

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby Murray (Post 7133345)

Driving: The drivers over here don't have a clue what you mean when flashing your headlights to let them out of a side road or into a gap. I believe to flash your headlights is a sign of anger..not 100%. Canadians tend to beckon their finger "if" they're feeling exceptionally courteous and let you out!! It's a well-known and accepted practice in the UK to flash your lights if someone needs to move out or pull into a lane and it's usually greeted with a raised hand in the rear view window or a couple of blinks on the indicators. I know this is still the common thing to do as I was back in the UK twice last year and it was such a relief to see such good road manners!

I've done some driving in Canada. I've done quite a lot in the US. I think this is often a result of many North American drivers just being a lot more relaxed at the wheel, and hence, more sloppy in their habits. No excuse, but a reason. I just saw it as a cultural thing and moved on.

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P (Post 7133836)

I see you've adopted the Toronto attitude toward the rest of the country quite readily. :p:D

I guess that works both ways.:lol::lol:

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby Murray (Post 7133345)

Driving: The drivers over here don't have a clue what you mean when flashing your headlights to let them out of a side road or into a gap.

Flashing your lights at another vehicle in Canada (at least in BC) means: 1) it's dark, turn on your headlights dummy or 2) there are pigs, a speedtrap, an accident and/or wildlife on the road up ahead of you or (if you're following someone) 3) move into the slow lane so I can pass you.

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwp (Post 7134102)

Which probably explains why it confuses the hell out of someone coming out of a side road in daylight....

Re: Missing the UK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P (Post 7133431)

Not in Calgary or possibly Alberta.:p

What you can or cannot get in Canada varies by region. ;)

OoooH! You beat me to it. People keep telling me I can buy OXO CUBES (not sachets) and I can't find the things, so I was thinking maybe Calgary and Edmonton may have them......Obviousley not:rofl:

It's hard being a couple of days away from family when all of a sudden someone dies - and yes it is a couple of days! By the time you find a flight, get the dog in the kennels, pack you bag, boarded the plane and landed and it's + 1 day in the UK. It's hard when you phone your Mum and you say 'Mum! What's wrong?' and the reply is I've just been throwing up, you know she's been ill and it's been going on a long time and your wondering how long your going to be able to make those 2 hour long weekly phone calls - I don't begrudge those calls when I'm actually wanting to do something anymore - I did before I lost both in laws last year, but now I treasure them.

It's frustrating trying to buy Christmas presents in October to post by the end of October when there are no christmassy things in the shop.....My Mum's parcel still hasn't arrived!

I miss choice. I miss being able to watch a 1 hour 30 min film on any channel without it lasting 3 hours. Hubby is really bad for not checking scheduling legnths. I miss the architecture. Daughter misses the rain - sometimes I think a nice downpour would be good but after 2 lots of 2 weeks in the UK last year and 27 of those days it rained I thank my lucky stars we're somewhere sunny.

I miss school uniforms, proper words - it really isn't funner you know? Pork Pies, cakes tasting how a cake looks like it should taste and being able to cook something without hunting in 4 different supermarkets for the ingredients and being able bake and know it's going to turn out the way it should.

For all that, would I throw the towel in and go back. No Ta! Quite happy here thanks. I will never say never though.