Greetings from the UK
Nov 22nd 2007, 2:44 pm
#47
Back where I belong!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
Posts: 5,989
Nov 22nd 2007, 2:52 pm
#48
Back where I belong!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
Posts: 5,989
Re: Greetings from the UK
I'm in central Oxford (working at the university). Busy dodging Harry Potter types on bikes! 
Just about to move into a flat in Jericho for the month.
At the weekends I'll be popping up to Lincolnshire to see my parents and friends, looking forward to that - the first two years in the US when I was an employee slave, with my regulation 10 days off per year, I didn't see them at all (my mum has been undergoing chemo and not been able to travel to see us - although all is looking ok now fingers crossed) - it's only been this year when I finally got back for my sisters wedding in July for a week, and now for 5 weeks with this work, so I'm definately going to make the best of it!
Just about to move into a flat in Jericho for the month.At the weekends I'll be popping up to Lincolnshire to see my parents and friends, looking forward to that - the first two years in the US when I was an employee slave, with my regulation 10 days off per year, I didn't see them at all (my mum has been undergoing chemo and not been able to travel to see us - although all is looking ok now fingers crossed) - it's only been this year when I finally got back for my sisters wedding in July for a week, and now for 5 weeks with this work, so I'm definately going to make the best of it!
Now I work at the Horton (Banbury) & occasionally at the John Radcliffe.I'll be in Oxford tomorrow, so watch out for a mad red head!!! I'm going to buy some tickets to see French & Saunders for my Mum & her friend. That'll be their Christmas presents sorted, I can't believe I'm shopping so early, it's not even December yet!!!
I'm sure you'll have a lovely time here & what a treat for your Mum, I bet she's missed you something chronic.
Nov 22nd 2007, 4:24 pm
#49
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando,Florida,living in Buckinghamshire for next 6 weeks.
Posts: 1,416
Re: Greetings from the UK
Hello from completely wet through and dark and gloomy UK! I'm currently working here for 5 weeks - I fly back to the US on the 23rd of Dec - just in time for a shitty Christmas 
Got here on Sunday morning.
This is only the second trip I've taken here in 3 years, and the only one that will last more than 5 days.
So what do I know? In no particular order....
Well, the weather might be rubbish.....but it doesn't bother me. Everyone here seems less hurried - people go to the pub to relax rather than for a frantic meal before rushing off elsewhere.
People are walking around town - and I mean really walking, at high speeds because they are getting from A to B in the cold weather - rather than shuffling along doing the gangsta walk from their car to the entrance of Target, after they have waited in their car for 10 mins for the spot nearest the door.
People are not seen getting shitfaced then getting into their cars to drive home.
You can order a "Cheese Salad Baguette" - and be asked no further questions. No five choices of bread, no "What exactly do you want on it" and what kind of cheese etc...aaaagrh! - none of that shit unless you specifically choose to be picky. In which case the person behind the counter will probably think you are a tosser...
There is a sense of national identity with issues facing the country - everyone might not have seen the TV last night, but everyone is at least vaguely aware of the issues on the news. No one says "Huh"? and you have to explain, in excruiating detail, for the next half an hour. Give them a few lines on the subject, and they'll pick it up. Doesn't matter what it is - sport, immigration, whatever - just about everyone knows about the main news items.
Large proportion of people I know are living in small houses and driving P reg cars - yet they don't care. Likewise, they don't care about impressing the boss or working all hours. Likewise, the bosses are generally not over impressed with martyrs and seem at least a little bit interested in the welfare of their employees vs the company.
Even real careerist people in the UK are gobmsacked to hear about the 2 weeks off a year in the US. They've seen it on TV that the Americans really live it up on holiday. Well, what they don't know is that was just a long weekend. Or, if the long weekend is bad, the complete and utter upset...because they haven't enough vacation left to try something else.
People are not that impressed I'm currently doing a Masters degree - more like "Really, haven't you got anything better to do with your spare time? Its experience that matters...." - Music to my ears. But, it'd never wash in the US.
You go to sign a contract on a flat lease for a month. Laid on the small 2 page document are all of the terms, and price markups that you will or will not have to pay. No additional waffly bullshit crap in an incredibly poor attempt to trip you up as you wade through 20 pages+. Takes you 5 mins to fill in. If only in the US.....
Even though there is no Thanksgiving here, the Christmas season is coming and everyone is already talking about what they are going to be doing over Christmas/New Year in a composite sense, and where they are going. A conversation that does not happen in the US....as most peoples answer will be "Going back to work on the 26th till the first, then back on the 2nd". Although I am looking forward to getting back to my family......I am pleased I am here during the Christmas build up period at least!
I can actually speak to people and they understand what I say, first time, every time. I have realised I do not have to make a physical effort to pronounce certain words. I don't have to say Wadder. I can say my name is Dan - and people don't think I said Don.
On the TV last night was a big expose program on "Neds" in Scotland. While they look a bunch of tossers and seem to stab an awful lot of people, they are no worse than those limping, shuffling, gold wearing dickheads who you seen in any major US city. Britain gone to the Dogs? Its what the media would like you to think. If the US media was equally self critical, and there was actually a sense of national identity in the US rather than pretend flag waving serving as a poor substitute, it'd be all over the US news too.
So, what do I know? I know I'm home. Am I a bit rose tinted just now? Probably. Would it bother me that if we moved back here, and I'd have to give up my comparatively large house and nice cars, etc? It might. Would the sense of belonging soon overcome those problems? I think so. Would my wife like it, long term? Not sure.
I just hope my little daughter has the chance, as she grows up, to be able to experience the UK for at least a reasonable amount of time, and see some of the things in the UK that I do. Someone on here once called the UK "A worn old armchair that you can't quite bring yourself to throw out". I'd agree with that wholeheartedly!
Got here on Sunday morning.This is only the second trip I've taken here in 3 years, and the only one that will last more than 5 days.
So what do I know? In no particular order....
Well, the weather might be rubbish.....but it doesn't bother me. Everyone here seems less hurried - people go to the pub to relax rather than for a frantic meal before rushing off elsewhere.
People are walking around town - and I mean really walking, at high speeds because they are getting from A to B in the cold weather - rather than shuffling along doing the gangsta walk from their car to the entrance of Target, after they have waited in their car for 10 mins for the spot nearest the door.
People are not seen getting shitfaced then getting into their cars to drive home.
You can order a "Cheese Salad Baguette" - and be asked no further questions. No five choices of bread, no "What exactly do you want on it" and what kind of cheese etc...aaaagrh! - none of that shit unless you specifically choose to be picky. In which case the person behind the counter will probably think you are a tosser...
There is a sense of national identity with issues facing the country - everyone might not have seen the TV last night, but everyone is at least vaguely aware of the issues on the news. No one says "Huh"? and you have to explain, in excruiating detail, for the next half an hour. Give them a few lines on the subject, and they'll pick it up. Doesn't matter what it is - sport, immigration, whatever - just about everyone knows about the main news items.
Large proportion of people I know are living in small houses and driving P reg cars - yet they don't care. Likewise, they don't care about impressing the boss or working all hours. Likewise, the bosses are generally not over impressed with martyrs and seem at least a little bit interested in the welfare of their employees vs the company.
Even real careerist people in the UK are gobmsacked to hear about the 2 weeks off a year in the US. They've seen it on TV that the Americans really live it up on holiday. Well, what they don't know is that was just a long weekend. Or, if the long weekend is bad, the complete and utter upset...because they haven't enough vacation left to try something else.
People are not that impressed I'm currently doing a Masters degree - more like "Really, haven't you got anything better to do with your spare time? Its experience that matters...." - Music to my ears. But, it'd never wash in the US.
You go to sign a contract on a flat lease for a month. Laid on the small 2 page document are all of the terms, and price markups that you will or will not have to pay. No additional waffly bullshit crap in an incredibly poor attempt to trip you up as you wade through 20 pages+. Takes you 5 mins to fill in. If only in the US.....
Even though there is no Thanksgiving here, the Christmas season is coming and everyone is already talking about what they are going to be doing over Christmas/New Year in a composite sense, and where they are going. A conversation that does not happen in the US....as most peoples answer will be "Going back to work on the 26th till the first, then back on the 2nd". Although I am looking forward to getting back to my family......I am pleased I am here during the Christmas build up period at least!
I can actually speak to people and they understand what I say, first time, every time. I have realised I do not have to make a physical effort to pronounce certain words. I don't have to say Wadder. I can say my name is Dan - and people don't think I said Don.
On the TV last night was a big expose program on "Neds" in Scotland. While they look a bunch of tossers and seem to stab an awful lot of people, they are no worse than those limping, shuffling, gold wearing dickheads who you seen in any major US city. Britain gone to the Dogs? Its what the media would like you to think. If the US media was equally self critical, and there was actually a sense of national identity in the US rather than pretend flag waving serving as a poor substitute, it'd be all over the US news too.
So, what do I know? I know I'm home. Am I a bit rose tinted just now? Probably. Would it bother me that if we moved back here, and I'd have to give up my comparatively large house and nice cars, etc? It might. Would the sense of belonging soon overcome those problems? I think so. Would my wife like it, long term? Not sure.
I just hope my little daughter has the chance, as she grows up, to be able to experience the UK for at least a reasonable amount of time, and see some of the things in the UK that I do. Someone on here once called the UK "A worn old armchair that you can't quite bring yourself to throw out". I'd agree with that wholeheartedly!
Nov 22nd 2007, 4:56 pm
#50
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Re: Greetings from the UK
Until our current Marxist PC government is removed from office - preferably disbanded for all time - then the more we Brits voice dissent, the sooner this country will revert to 'some' normality - after we've shifted umpteen 1000's of illegal immigrants t'boot - some working for the friggin' Home Office, would you believe!!
We are, in effect, at war here, internally! I have never known this nation riddled with so much governmental stupidty, so much so it is pathing the way to a very uncertain future! Brits are leaving the UK in their droves!
So next time we 'bite' please try and be a little more understanding of what it is that we Brits in Britain are currently having to contend with - in many ways.
Times are changing rapidly, so rapidly, it becomes hard to adapt before the next change is enforced.
Tomorrow, there could well be something else.
Mike
---
Nov 22nd 2007, 4:59 pm
#51
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: Greetings from the UK
Until our current Marxist PC government is removed from office - preferably disbanded for all time - then the more we Brits voice dissent, the sooner this country will revert to 'some' normality - after we've shifted umpteen 1000's of illegal immigrants t'boot - some working for the figgin' Home Office, would you believe!!
Nov 22nd 2007, 5:01 pm
#52
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
... Despots in disguise!
Nov 22nd 2007, 5:07 pm
#53
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: Greetings from the UK
based on actual policies you could say that Thatcher was almost as much of a Marxist as Blair.
Also funny how you mention "1,000s of illegal immigrants" while here the number of illegals is reckoned to be about 15 million.
And if you're looking to leave Britain for the USA because of the "governmental stupidity" you are soooo coming to the wrong place.
Also funny how you mention "1,000s of illegal immigrants" while here the number of illegals is reckoned to be about 15 million.
And if you're looking to leave Britain for the USA because of the "governmental stupidity" you are soooo coming to the wrong place.
Nov 22nd 2007, 5:33 pm
#55
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Re: Greetings from the UK
based on actual policies you could say that Thatcher was almost as much of a Marxist as Blair.
Also funny how you mention "1,000s of illegal immigrants" while here the number of illegals is reckoned to be about 15 million.
And if you're looking to leave Britain for the USA because of the "governmental stupidity" you are soooo coming to the wrong place.
Also funny how you mention "1,000s of illegal immigrants" while here the number of illegals is reckoned to be about 15 million.
And if you're looking to leave Britain for the USA because of the "governmental stupidity" you are soooo coming to the wrong place.
And no, I wouldn't join the exodus outta here because of bloody politics, I have a wife in America, okay - she being the pull! Also, quite a lot of married couples live 'commuter' between countries of origin... the type of marriage some guys would give their right arm for! ...
Nov 22nd 2007, 6:33 pm
#56
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Nov 22nd 2007, 9:10 pm
#57
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Nov 22nd 2007, 11:54 pm
#58
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando,Florida,living in Buckinghamshire for next 6 weeks.
Posts: 1,416
Re: Greetings from the UK
If you had lived life in the UK over the past ten years, during which time folk have had to contend with our wankers in government, who have not only slashed away large chunks of our traditional attitudes, but virtually handed our nation on a platter to the EU, you would well understand why we Brits today, complain, frustrate, curse and swear!
Until our current Marxist PC government is removed from office - preferably disbanded for all time - then the more we Brits voice dissent, the sooner this country will revert to 'some' normality - after we've shifted umpteen 1000's of illegal immigrants t'boot - some working for the friggin' Home Office, would you believe!!
We are, in effect, at war here, internally! I have never known this nation riddled with so much governmental stupidty, so much so it is pathing the way to a very uncertain future! Brits are leaving the UK in their droves!
So next time we 'bite' please try and be a little more understanding of what it is that we Brits in Britain are currently having to contend with - in many ways.
Times are changing rapidly, so rapidly, it becomes hard to adapt before the next change is enforced.
Tomorrow, there could well be something else.
Mike
---
Until our current Marxist PC government is removed from office - preferably disbanded for all time - then the more we Brits voice dissent, the sooner this country will revert to 'some' normality - after we've shifted umpteen 1000's of illegal immigrants t'boot - some working for the friggin' Home Office, would you believe!!
We are, in effect, at war here, internally! I have never known this nation riddled with so much governmental stupidty, so much so it is pathing the way to a very uncertain future! Brits are leaving the UK in their droves!
So next time we 'bite' please try and be a little more understanding of what it is that we Brits in Britain are currently having to contend with - in many ways.
Times are changing rapidly, so rapidly, it becomes hard to adapt before the next change is enforced.
Tomorrow, there could well be something else.
Mike
---
I can understand where you're coming from.It must be up setting to watch the Britain of your childhood change so drasticly and not for the better.Just like here in America there are conspiring forces(big business and government) that are selling out the British people.Most folks are so busy trying to live their lifes they don't focus on the reasons or the people responsible for the economic and political problems.I can't think of another major industrial nation on par with the UK were its citizens are having to debate whether or not to leave the country because of high cost of living.That is amazing to any reasonable thinking person.All resources of any nation should largely be spent on the citizens born there or at the very least those who hold or in the process of attaining citizenship.
United Kingdom having to answer to the rules of European Union in the long run will only lose more indenity and self reliabilty.Factoring in the collective power of all nations which joined the EU,the UK must have feared the out come of not joining thinking the UK would lose a great deal of its wealth and influence. Funny thing is the Union was formed to counter the all mighty USA .Years later the Euro is valued higher than the dollar so high that many countries in europe aren't able to trade competitively out side the Euro zone. Europeans can move from country to country taking jobs from people who were actually born in that nation and many nations are losing the idenity which made them special and interesting.Open boarders between that many nations come at a seroius cost and its the citizens with the least resources which pay the highest price.Of course there are upsides and I refer to being able to live and work in any European country in the EU.
Nov 23rd 2007, 2:56 am
#59
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Nov 23rd 2007, 3:04 am
#60
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691