Falcore

Thank you! We're a pretty nice bunch here I think!

dunroving

I'd hope so - you can be had up for touching anywhere below the shoulders, you know.

Lothianlad

Although I am Scottish I have spent quite a lot of time down in England - I actually went to uni in Leeds, and have made a lot of very good friends who are English and live in England (and one in North Wales). There is this widespread belief that there is a clear North/South divide in England, and that people in the north are generally perceived as being more "friendly and approachable" than those in the south. Well, there are a lot of differences between the two regions of England, mostly in the landscape, scenery, the building styles, accents of course - and the weather much of the time, and possibly other differences too. That's my perception anyway.

As for the "friendliness" thing, I really don't think that it is the case that people in the south of England are all that different from those in the north - perhaps they may be a wee bit less blunt and direct in their manner than many are in the north of England, but that doesn't mean they are unfriendly or indifferent in the south.

As for people serving the public in shops and stores, and people serving and relaxing in pubs, Wokingham, in Berkshire (south of England) turned out to be a place with some of the friendliest and most helpful I have ever come across.

On the other hand I was subjected to the rudest and most off hand treatment in two separate shops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire - north of England. It seems I was very unlucky in that I happened to be there on a "bad hair day" or something, I don't know what it was down to....it hardly invited a return to that pleasant looking village in a nice wee valley.

Wokingham, on the other hand, would always be a nice place to go back to one day - it's reported as being one of the most desirable of places in the UK in which to live for all round quality of life - property is very expensive indeed in the area though.

chartreuse

Well, a bad hair day in a town full of hippies is a serious matter, you know...

meauxna

Why do you think we have so many repeat customers?

Vanes

Were looking to get out to the US, the issue you found with the UK is one of a few trust me, things are no the same anymore, real shame!!!

penguinbar

I was in London a few weeks ago and the service in restaurants had improved quite a bit.My friends and I went to some lovely places. Great food and very good service. The friendliness in the stores varied. In Scotland the service wasn't so great. Although there was one pub in my husbands home town where it was very good . I tipped the waitress 20% and she nearly keeled over! My inlaws think it's ok to leave 2 pounds on a 50 pound meal. I just can't do that. I got berated in Boots in Dundee because I used my mother in laws Boots card so she could get points (I always forget mine!) and it gives you an over sixty discount! It doesn't say that on the card. The cashier said I was not to use this again but they'll let me "get way with it" this time! It saved a whopping 80 pence! I said I'll give them the money back but the just told me to be on my way!

Yorkieabroad

Read a snippet the other day about how "younger folk" prefer to socialize. Don't shoot me if I dont get the figures spot on (I'm old!) but it was something like 65% of 18-30 year olds prefer to socilaize online rather than face to face with their friends. Ok, call me a dinosaur, but I just found that scarey.

penguinbar

I agree. It is scary. I also hate texting! I prefer to have a live conversation and see people face to face! I also refuse to give up my landline phone. The connection is so much better than on a mobile and I've had the same number for over 20 years! Don't get me wrong I do appreciate modern technology. I met my husband online after all!

Yorkieabroad

I'd give up my landline in the blink of an eye if the cellphone service could replace it - but it can't. I can't get cellphone reception at home unless I stand near one of the windows....apparently the foil insulation on the sheetrock interferes with the signal. On the upside, at least the aliens wont be able to suck my brains out (once I've finished lining the curtains )

lisadash

My husband used to do this all the time when we first arrived in the USA, he would come back from Home Depot, Walmart,ect with all this stuff and say I got all this and it only cost me $300.00 then go on to change into GBP in a effort to show how much he saved and I would have to explain he gets paid in $ NOT IN GBP.

He got it in the end.

Hubcaps

Because Comcast (the only cable provider) managed to screw up our bill every month for the last 5 months we've managed to knock them down to under $100 for cable, phone and internet for 6 months. As soon as the 6 months are up I'm cancelling the phone and TV. I can't be doing with either of them. The TV is just rubbish (and don't get me started on Comcast's EPG) and I never use the house phone as my cell phone is good enough.

I wouldn't go back to the UK if you paid me although I have conceded I will make one trip and that's for my Dad's funeral which I hope won't be for many many years. My husband pointed out the other day that once our house is sold, if for some reason things don't work out in the US we could go anywhere in the world. We have no ties, he's in a specialist skill group so we could potentially get visas for anywhere.

tonrob

I thought that you of all people would have understood the importance of abiding by local customs and practices when it comes to tipping...

Chugabug

I've lived here in the U.S. since 99 and haven't been back to England since 2006. The wife and I are returning next year to catch up with friends and family etc. I love living here in the States most of the time but I have to admit missing the U.K. still every now and then. I enjoy the differences, but don't most Brits take a little piece of Britain wherever they go? Be it PG Tips or a DVD of the 1966 World Cup. (Guilty of both and so much more)

Anyhow, if anyone has any tips on great ticket prices from Chicago O Hare please let me know.......

Hubcaps

I don't.