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Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653094)
How many can Buy British ? firstly because the majority of posters here are living in Spain, so surely should be buying Spanish where possible.
But more importantly, what is there left of British manufacturing. ?? :frown: Britain is nothing but a jumble of call centres, which are starting to fill up again as offshoring is starting to get a dirty word in the boardroom. We don't make anything anymore, if we do its with imported parts. Who are the "big" names in the UK high street ? - New Look, Zavvi, TKMaxx etc etc etc. All source vast majority of their products from the sweat shops of the Far East, ferried in by plane or container ship. Supermarkets source more and more non-seasonal food all the year round at great expense to the environment. But they are feeling the pinch from the Lidl and Aldi stores from mainland Eu. As to cars, well most come in through the purpose built terminal at Bristol in special ships. Oh my car was made in West Midlands, and if I can afford it will be replaced by one from the same UK plant. We have put many fine men (and women) on the scrapheap, throwing away all those years of apprenticeship, experience, and knowhow. |
Re: benefits
My car, washing machine, fridge freezer were all made in Germany. My computer was made in the USA, and my TV is Japanese. My cooker is Spanish and cooked only Spanish ingredients earlier.
I feel terrible now, I can't think of anything that came from the UK. Yes, I can, I've got some UK sausages and bacon from Iceland in the German freezer. And I watch Sky News. |
Re: benefits
Yeah Yeah Yeah
but what has that all got to do with benefits ?? except that some are showing their benefits this is getting very very OT methinks rgds |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by megmet
(Post 9653125)
Not quite sure how you meant that one Dom. :unsure: ;)
:( |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by HBG
(Post 9653237)
My car, washing machine, fridge freezer were all made in Germany. My computer was made in the USA, and my TV is Japanese. My cooker is Spanish and cooked only Spanish ingredients earlier.
I feel terrible now, I can't think of anything that came from the UK. Yes, I can, I've got some UK sausages and bacon from Iceland in the German freezer. And I watch Sky News. why feel terrible ?? you are being honest and telling it as it is, although some labels on products require a little digging, things may have a well known name on them but it doesnt mean they are actually made in the country of that name. ISTR not too long ago a scare about laptop batteries blowing up - made in a totally different country to that of the OEM, then it transpired the same manufacturer was making batteries for nearly all OEM's across the market. But it had the laptop manufacturer's labels on it without saying country of soucre. Also Acer - used to make laptops for many well known names and just label them according to the purchase order. hth |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653274)
OH WTF......
why feel terrible ?? you are being honest and telling it as it is, although some labels on products require a little digging, things may have a well known name on them but it doesnt mean they are actually made in the country of that name. ISTR not too long ago a scare about laptop batteries blowing up - made in a totally different country to that of the OEM, then it transpired the same manufacturer was making batteries for nearly all OEM's across the market. But it had the laptop manufacturer's labels on it without saying country of soucre. Also Acer - used to make laptops for many well known names and just label them according to the purchase order. hth Much of what we buy was only assembled in the stated country, with parts being sourced from where ever the best deal can be had, often China! If any doubters want to see how that has decimated the manufacturing industry of the UK they should venture further north than Watford, what was once the hub of industry is now a wasteland where call centre jobs are now highly desired....there isn't much of anything else. :( |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653274)
OH WTF......
why feel terrible ?? you are being honest and telling it as it is, although some labels on products require a little digging, things may have a well known name on them but it doesnt mean they are actually made in the country of that name. ISTR not too long ago a scare about laptop batteries blowing up - made in a totally different country to that of the OEM, then it transpired the same manufacturer was making batteries for nearly all OEM's across the market. But it had the laptop manufacturer's labels on it without saying country of soucre. Also Acer - used to make laptops for many well known names and just label them according to the purchase order. hth A 2009 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, citing data from the UK Office for National Statistics, stated that manufacturing output (gross value added at 2007 prices) has increased in 35 of the 50 years between 1958 and 2007, and output in 2007 was at record levels, approximately double that in 1958 |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Cape Blue
(Post 9653315)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufac...United_Kingdom
It's not all doom and gloom, but the manufacturing has moved up the chain to higher-value goods that require less labor to make them. what about volume ?? what about the importation of goods to make that output ?? what about the days where I used to see 40-50 girls using soldering irons and magnifying spotlights, now someone loads a day's output into different bins and the pcb's come off by the hundreds a minute instead of an hour. the use of surface mount components to facilitate this was around 20 years ago. wiring looms for motor cars were made up using automatic crimping machinery for the connectors over 30 years ago. Its just the looms that were made in the UK are now made in the Far East, having already closed down the old Sov Bloc factories that took over from the UK. But....Nokia are closing down the 3yo plant in Romania to concentrate on the Far East where their emerging markets are located. ISTR hearing about the door handle for the Porsche that is also used on the Skoda, cast in a plant in Bulgaria or somewhere. But there is the good news - we are increasing our volume in shares traded, we are increasing our volume in directors pay increases. The average non-exec directors salary is £60kpa for one day a week, to sit on a committee deciding on the salaries of exec directors. And where is their impartiality when they hold shares in the company ?? Yup, things are looking up in the UK, as NMW has gone up 15p to £6.08 per hour. But then some workers would be entitled to certain benefits if that is what they are being paid. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653416)
so prices and therefore output by value have increased
what about volume ??what about the importation of goods to make that output ?? what about the days where I used to see 40-50 girls using soldering irons and magnifying spotlights, now someone loads a day's output into different bins and the pcb's come off by the hundreds a minute instead of an hour. the use of surface mount components to facilitate this was around 20 years ago. wiring looms for motor cars were made up using automatic crimping machinery for the connectors over 30 years ago. Its just the looms that were made in the UK are now made in the Far East, having already closed down the old Sov Bloc factories that took over from the UK. But....Nokia are closing down the 3yo plant in Romania to concentrate on the Far East where their emerging markets are located. ISTR hearing about the door handle for the Porsche that is also used on the Skoda, cast in a plant in Bulgaria or somewhere. But there is the good news - we are increasing our volume in shares traded, we are increasing our volume in directors pay increases. The average non-exec directors salary is £60kpa for one day a week, to sit on a committee deciding on the salaries of exec directors. And where is their impartiality when they hold shares in the company ?? Yup, things are looking up in the UK, as NMW has gone up 15p to £6.08 per hour. But then some workers would be entitled to certain benefits if that is what they are being paid. Although the manufacturing sector's share of both employment and the UK's GDP has steadily fallen since the 1960s, data from the OECD shows that manufacturing output in terms of both production and value has steadily increased since 1945. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by megmet
(Post 9653306)
You beat me to it Dom, I was about to say that you can't always tell the country of origin.
Much of what we buy was only assembled in the stated country, with parts being sourced from where ever the best deal can be had, often China! If any doubters want to see how that has decimated the manufacturing industry of the UK they should venture further north than Watford, what was once the hub of industry is now a wasteland where call centre jobs are now highly desired....there isn't much of anything else. :( I remember the days of old dark, dirty and dismal car mechanics workshops in the UK and quite honestly it hasnt changed. In my short time with Spain I have found them all to be painted floors and walls, tidied up and cleaned ever night, with an impression of pride and professionalism. Even my local Main Dealer for the car made in the West Mids isnt that good.. I don't think there are any real doubters Meg, those who do say otherwise are just in denial and trying to hide from themselves the truth. The UK is no longer the power house it used to be. And even common decency and loyalty to the workers has gone out of the window - BAE layoffs announced on Monday to the workforce were leaked to the press on preceding Friday, giving many people a worrying weekend. The RN has made redundant 1000, many of whom are still at sea, doing their jobs. But its ok cos tonight i saw an ad for soldiers for Britains modern army, who are going to leave £2bn of vehicles in Afghanistan. Just the same as they did in Aden in the 60's. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Cape Blue
(Post 9653430)
Quote:
Although the manufacturing sector's share of both employment and the UK's GDP has steadily fallen since the 1960s, data from the OECD shows that manufacturing output in terms of both production and value has steadily increased since 1945. : unless you are suggesting that in the 1960's the output\value of 40+ Austin A40's is the same as one Rolls Royce of today ? put 3 economists in a padded cell and get 5 answers.? Pop round to Willenhall, The Home of Locksmiths - you will only be able to get a new key cut if you pop into Minitman who major in shoe repairs. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653451)
the statement in the first half (in red) cannot be associated with the second half of the statement (in blue) because the time spans are different (to make the figures look good) and do not relate to the reality
unless you are suggesting that in the 1960's the output\value of 40+ Austin A40's is the same as one Rolls Royce of today ? put 3 economists in a padded cell and get 5 answers.? Pop round to Willenhall, The Home of Locksmiths - you will only be able to get a new key cut if you pop into Minitman who major in shoe repairs. I mentioned before that the type of manufacturing has moved up-market and no longer employes the droves in making low-value items (like door locks). This doesn't mean that manufacturing has disappeared in the UK, merely that it has had to adjust to globalization. Unfortunately we have not been as successful as the Germans or Japanese in doing this when it comes to manufacturing, but have probably been more successful when it comes to services like banking. I just don't buy into the typical Daily Mail gloom of "UK has gone to the dogs/hell in a handbasket, paedo immigrant knife-crimers on every corner, dole-scrounging foreigners taking our jobs (?)" and so on. The UK still seems to me to be a great place to live and quite a lot better than I remember it in the past. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Cape Blue
(Post 9653530)
The statement is pointing out that whilst manufacturing now has a smaller share of UK GDP, it has still grown in both production and value. This would imply that other sectors (services) have grown at a faster rate.
I mentioned before that the type of manufacturing has moved up-market and no longer employes the droves in making low-value items (like door locks). This doesn't mean that manufacturing has disappeared in the UK, merely that it has had to adjust to globalization. Unfortunately we have not been as successful as the Germans or Japanese in doing this when it comes to manufacturing, but have probably been more successful when it comes to services like banking. I just don't buy into the typical Daily Mail gloom of "UK has gone to the dogs/hell in a handbasket, paedo immigrant knife-crimers on every corner, dole-scrounging foreigners taking our jobs (?)" and so on. The UK still seems to me to be a great place to live and quite a lot better than I remember it in the past. Yes there seems to be an increase in certain crimes, by people from certain countries - here we have woman missing presumed dead who comes from a former SovBloc country. 2 years ago an English girl was raped by someone from a similar country. But they arent all killers and rapists - my next door neighbour is a former Ghurka from Nepal with his family, he works shifts at local hospital. I know some Brits who I wouldnt trust at all. All we ever get to hear about is the negative stories, and not the positives becuase they don't make good copy no headlines. I feel proud that so many people from so many countries want to come here to live and share what I have here. I know I wouldnt get the same treatment and financial support in their home countries. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Cape Blue
(Post 9653530)
I just don't buy into the typical Daily Mail gloom of "UK has gone to the dogs/hell in a handbasket, paedo immigrant knife-crimers on every corner, dole-scrounging foreigners taking our jobs (?)" and so on. The UK still seems to me to be a great place to live and quite a lot better than I remember it in the past.
I'm not saying that the UK is all bad, but it's bad enough for most of us here to have left... with no intention of returning. Yes there is a huge problem with street crime in the UK, I wouldn't have walked anywhere at night there, here I wouldn't think twice about it! Yes there is also a huge problem with dole scroungers and benefit cheats, and they are not for the most part foreigners either, they are often British born! Those of us who enjoy being expats here in Spain are often accused of wearing rose tinted glasses, but my observation is that it's those that are disgruntled with their expat life that seem to regard the UK as still being the land of milk and honey. There seems to be a complete unwillingness to acknowledge just how bad and disfunctional the country has become, but there are none so blind as those that don't wish to see! :( |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by megmet
(Post 9653650)
I take it that's your view of the UK from a safe distance....USA I believe.
I'm not saying that the UK is all bad, but it's bad enough for most of us here to have left... with no intention of returning. Yes there is a huge problem with street crime in the UK, I wouldn't have walked anywhere at night there, here I wouldn't think twice about it! Yes there is also a huge problem with dole scroungers and benefit cheats, and they are not for the most part foreigners either, they are often British born! Those of us who enjoy being expats here in Spain are often accused of wearing rose tinted glasses, but my observation is that it's those that are disgruntled with their expat life that seem to regard the UK as still being the land of milk and honey. There seems to be a complete unwillingness to acknowledge just how bad and disfunctional the country has become, but there are none so blind as those that don't wish to see! :( I have just spent the past 2 weeks in the UK, I was in Sussex, London, Daventry, Liverpool, Billingham & Newport. I was walking at night in many of these places and did not feel threatened, even when on my own after midnight in Waterloo station. I have been in the UK three times in the past 12 months, on each of these occasions it didn't seem a bad, dangerous or dysfunctional place to be. I'm sure one can find rough areas, but that has always been the case and is the same in any country. I don't agree about it being a huge problem with dole/benefit cheats - its a great issue to prod people into foaming-mouthed rants about and the tabloids do their best to ensure a regular supply. In reality it is a very small percentage (did someone earlier post 0.2%?). |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by megmet
(Post 9653650)
I take it that's your view of the UK from a safe distance....USA I believe.
I'm not saying that the UK is all bad, but it's bad enough for most of us here to have left... with no intention of returning. Yes there is a huge problem with street crime in the UK, I wouldn't have walked anywhere at night there, here I wouldn't think twice about it! Yes there is also a huge problem with dole scroungers and benefit cheats, and they are not for the most part foreigners either, they are often British born! Those of us who enjoy being expats here in Spain are often accused of wearing rose tinted glasses, but my observation is that it's those that are disgruntled with their expat life that seem to regard the UK as still being the land of milk and honey. There seems to be a complete unwillingness to acknowledge just how bad and disfunctional the country has become, but there are none so blind as those that don't wish to see! :( and when returning I always find that streets I remember as being wide and open are the exact opposite. I first experienced it after my first trip out to the Far East at 17 and its held true every time going home since then. The place seems to shrink whilst I am away. Although some seem to think the riots were bad, what they don't realise is that similar goings on are daily and nightly occurances in some parts. Just no one was killed in the riots. Where kids carry a Knife to protect themselves at school, where schools have metal detectors on the entrances and issue access cards to the kids so they can be tracked in the building. I was involved in such a system over 10y ago. Sometimes I think of our grand parents and parents, who felt they were leaving our country in our safe hands, just worries me that we have betrayed their trust. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653674)
must agree Meg
and when returning I always find that streets I remember as being wide and open are the exact opposite. I first experienced it after my first trip out to the Far East at 17 and its held true every time going home since then. The place seems to shrink whilst I am away. Although some seem to think the riots were bad, what they don't realise is that similar goings on are daily and nightly occurances in some parts. Just no one was killed in the riots. Where kids carry a Knife to protect themselves at school, where schools have metal detectors on the entrances and issue access cards to the kids so they can be tracked in the building. I was involved in such a system over 10y ago. Sometimes I think of our grand parents and parents, who felt they were leaving our country in our safe hands, just worries me that we have betrayed their trust. CCTV cameras are in operation and bright yellow boxes incorporating panic buttons are everywhere. Even in daylight it's not a good place to be, you have to walk past the pub where all the dole and benefit cheats hang out... when they are not working on the quiet! They are often drunk and shouting abuse to anyone that passes... and fights often spill out onto the street. The town is dieing on it's feet, no work and no hope for many only a life on benefits to look forward to. The town is falling into decay, it's a sad shadow of it's former self as I remember it.... when King Cotton ruled and there was respect for people and property. :( And that's not being negative, that is actually the way it is in many small towns up and down the country, it's just a miracle that there are not more riots! |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Cape Blue
(Post 9653530)
The statement is pointing out that whilst manufacturing now has a smaller share of UK GDP, it has still grown in both production and value. This would imply that other sectors (services) have grown at a faster rate.
I mentioned before that the type of manufacturing has moved up-market and no longer employes the droves in making low-value items (like door locks). This doesn't mean that manufacturing has disappeared in the UK, merely that it has had to adjust to globalization. Unfortunately we have not been as successful as the Germans or Japanese in doing this when it comes to manufacturing, but have probably been more successful when it comes to services like banking. I just don't buy into the typical Daily Mail gloom of "UK has gone to the dogs/hell in a handbasket, paedo immigrant knife-crimers on every corner, dole-scrounging foreigners taking our jobs (?)" and so on. The UK still seems to me to be a great place to live and quite a lot better than I remember it in the past. But the UK is the second biggest economy in the EU, the City of London is the trading centre of Europe and probably the world, and our benefit bill is no higher than Germany's, who have just as many immigrants. We're still punching above our weight for a country on the periphery of Europe and with a large eurosceptic population fuelled by people who won't forget the war, not even the Boar War. Our work ethic is not much different to the Germans, and if we had wholeheartedly joined in the European experiment, we would have been just as prosperous as they are. And, thinking of our immense advantage through the City of London, even more so. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by megmet
(Post 9653650)
Yes there is a huge problem with street crime in the UK, I wouldn't have walked anywhere at night there, here I wouldn't think twice about it!
Are you comparing like with like? I have been robbed on the street in Spain but not the Uk. Yes there is also a huge problem with dole scroungers and benefit cheats, and they are not for the most part foreigners either, they are often British born! What about the black economy in Spain! Those of us who enjoy being expats here in Spain are often accused of wearing rose tinted glasses, but my observation is that it's those that are disgruntled with their expat life that seem to regard the UK as still being the land of milk and honey. I am not an expat and just do not see your version of the Uk. but there are none so blind as those that don't wish to see! :( |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by megmet
(Post 9653650)
I take it that's your view of the UK from a safe distance....USA I believe.
I'm not saying that the UK is all bad, but it's bad enough for most of us here to have left... with no intention of returning. Yes there is a huge problem with street crime in the UK, I wouldn't have walked anywhere at night there, here I wouldn't think twice about it! Yes there is also a huge problem with dole scroungers and benefit cheats, and they are not for the most part foreigners either, they are often British born! Those of us who enjoy being expats here in Spain are often accused of wearing rose tinted glasses, but my observation is that it's those that are disgruntled with their expat life that seem to regard the UK as still being the land of milk and honey. There seems to be a complete unwillingness to acknowledge just how bad and disfunctional the country has become, but there are none so blind as those that don't wish to see! :( I was bought up in the countryside of Warwickshire and moved to Birmingham in my late teens to work. In all my years there, spending a lot of time in the less salubrious areas playing competition pool, I cant think of any time I felt seriously threatened or worried. I was (and am) quite happy to wander around the streets. The only thing I probably feel strange is the amount of people compared to what I am used to now. Most cities are the same ..... Barcelona, if you want to cite a Spanish City. Feel safe wandering around there? Do you hug your handbag to your body, because if you leave it behind your back, it probably will be empty. Alicante .... the number of people I have heard of being robbed there (including a member of my family)! I lived in the countryside again for the last years I was in the UK. Crime wasn't an issue there. I didn't worry about leaving my front door open. I have a place in the suburbs of Birmingham now ... again, I walk to the shops when I am there ... it's not a problem. I don't go into town at 11 pm on Saturday night for sure, but that's common sense! I don't regard the UK as the land of milk and honey .... but it's clear to me that nowhere is. Some people escape the UK because they don't have a good life there, but at the end of the day wherever you you go the saying same sh!t, different place applies. People (not aimed at you Meg) are very quick to criticise the UK, and maybe thats because it's the country they know well. Many countries have the same problems, it's just maybe that you dont know quite so much about the problems and challenges that face that country. As I said, same sh!t ......... |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9653674)
must agree Meg
and when returning I always find that streets I remember as being wide and open are the exact opposite. I first experienced it after my first trip out to the Far East at 17 and its held true every time going home since then. The place seems to shrink whilst I am away. Although some seem to think the riots were bad, what they don't realise is that similar goings on are daily and nightly occurances in some parts. Just no one was killed in the riots. Where kids carry a Knife to protect themselves at school, where schools have metal detectors on the entrances and issue access cards to the kids so they can be tracked in the building. I was involved in such a system over 10y ago. Sometimes I think of our grand parents and parents, who felt they were leaving our country in our safe hands, just worries me that we have betrayed their trust. I've just come back from spending a few days in Madrid and really enjoyed strolling around the streets at night watching and listening to the street entertainers (some of them excellent, mariachi bands and tango musicians/dancers, for example). Never once witnessed overt drunkennesss or fighting - a far cry from Manchester city centre on a Friday night. Last time I was in Madrid the Puerta del Sol was full of down and outs begging, this time none at all, I assume the police have moved them on but I went to many different areas of the city and didn't see a huge number of beggars, although I expected quite the opposite given the economic crisis here in Spain. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Mitzyboy
(Post 9654138)
I'm sorry .... I'm not one of those that is disgruntled with expat life .... but I still think the UK is a great place to live, and having just travelled the whole length of the country I appreciate it even more. I do accept it has its problems, but all countries have their own set of problems and challenges.
I was bought up in the countryside of Warwickshire and moved to Birmingham in my late teens to work. In all my years there, spending a lot of time in the less salubrious areas playing competition pool, I cant think of any time I felt seriously threatened or worried. I was (and am) quite happy to wander around the streets. The only thing I probably feel strange is the amount of people compared to what I am used to now. Most cities are the same ..... Barcelona, if you want to cite a Spanish City. Feel safe wandering around there? Do you hug your handbag to your body, because if you leave it behind your back, it probably will be empty. Alicante .... the number of people I have heard of being robbed there (including a member of my family)! I lived in the countryside again for the last years I was in the UK. Crime wasn't an issue there. I didn't worry about leaving my front door open. I have a place in the suburbs of Birmingham now ... again, I walk to the shops when I am there ... it's not a problem. I don't go into town at 11 pm on Saturday night for sure, but that's common sense! I don't regard the UK as the land of milk and honey .... but it's clear to me that nowhere is. Some people escape the UK because they don't have a good life there, but at the end of the day wherever you you go the saying same sh!t, different place applies. People (not aimed at you Meg) are very quick to criticise the UK, and maybe thats because it's the country they know well. Many countries have the same problems, it's just maybe that you dont know quite so much about the problems and challenges that face that country. As I said, same sh!t ......... |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Lynn R
(Post 9654234)
I've just come back from spending a few days in Madrid and really enjoyed strolling around the streets at night watching and listening to the street entertainers (some of them excellent, mariachi bands and tango musicians/dancers, for example). Never once witnessed overt drunkennesss or fighting
Yet for some reason some people say the UK is a complete disaster area and a terrible place to live .. they forget that this kind of think happens all over the world every day |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Lynn R
(Post 9654234)
Well actually, there were the 3 young men killed in Birmingham during the riots, let's not forget. I thought the reaction and community leadership shown by one of their fathers was superb. And another elderly man who is reported to have challenged a looter in London died after being attacked, I seem to remember.
I've just come back from spending a few days in Madrid and really enjoyed strolling around the streets at night watching and listening to the street entertainers (some of them excellent, mariachi bands and tango musicians/dancers, for example). Never once witnessed overt drunkennesss or fighting - a far cry from Manchester city centre on a Friday night. Last time I was in Madrid the Puerta del Sol was full of down and outs begging, this time none at all, I assume the police have moved them on but I went to many different areas of the city and didn't see a huge number of beggars, although I expected quite the opposite given the economic crisis here in Spain. As to the father, yes, he was proud, he was eager to see that there was no eye for an eye response be people not directly related to those who died. All respect to the man who was hurting deep inside. rgds |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Mitzyboy
(Post 9654257)
Thats the point though isn't it :D .... we share our experiences here, and they are different. I havent experienced what you mention it in Birmingham, you haven't in Madrid .... but I bet you there are areas of Madrid you would be worried about walking down the street at night in, as there are in Birmingham UK.
Yet for some reason some people say the UK is a complete disaster area and a terrible place to live .. they forget that this kind of think happens all over the world every day Sector 6 of Cape Town that was moved enmass to become the New Town of Soweto. Parts of Hong Kong where gwailo's didnt walk at night, where even a taxi driver wouldnt venture with a gwailo in the back. Parts of Manila where anyone with a white face was a target. There are places in every country, in every city (and sometimes even more rural areas) where it is not safe to go. In most parts of the UK I feel I can walk free whenever I want, but even in broad daylight the other day whilst driving through one part of this town I could see I was being watched, I was different, I wasnt one of them... Perhaps it is because it is my Home Country that makes me feel safer, where as in another country there would be an inner feeling that this is not home, this is foreign, and this is picked up by the locals, especially if there is no common language. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 9654350)
I can remember a dead body or two floating in monsoon ditches of Singapore, the way the cab drivers became an instant rioting mob when some soldier or sailor "forgot" to pay a couple of dollars for his ride.
Sector 6 of Cape Town that was moved enmass to become the New Town of Soweto. Parts of Hong Kong where gwailo's didnt walk at night, where even a taxi driver wouldnt venture with a gwailo in the back. Parts of Manila where anyone with a white face was a target. There are places in every country, in every city (and sometimes even more rural areas) where it is not safe to go. In most parts of the UK I feel I can walk free whenever I want, but even in broad daylight the other day whilst driving through one part of this town I could see I was being watched, I was different, I wasnt one of them... Perhaps it is because it is my Home Country that makes me feel safer, where as in another country there would be an inner feeling that this is not home, this is foreign, and this is picked up by the locals, especially if there is no common language. The UK actually has one of the highest crime rates in the world (if not the highest) but has relatively few murders compared to South Africa, the US and the rest of the Americas. It is the most crime ridden country in Europe though, there is a lot of data to back that up (Google is your friend!). Ironically Spain 10 years ago had the lowest rate of crime in Europe although this has gone up slightly since then. Anything to do with the 5 million immigrants that arrived I wonder? |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Mitzyboy
(Post 9654257)
Thats the point though isn't it :D .... we share our experiences here, and they are different. I havent experienced what you mention it in Birmingham, you haven't in Madrid .... but I bet you there are areas of Madrid you would be worried about walking down the street at night in, as there are in Birmingham UK.
Yet for some reason some people say the UK is a complete disaster area and a terrible place to live .. they forget that this kind of think happens all over the world every day |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Mitzyboy
(Post 9654257)
Thats the point though isn't it :D .... we share our experiences here, and they are different. I havent experienced what you mention it in Birmingham, you haven't in Madrid .... but I bet you there are areas of Madrid you would be worried about walking down the street at night in, as there are in Birmingham UK.
Yet for some reason some people say the UK is a complete disaster area and a terrible place to live .. they forget that this kind of think happens all over the world every day I am very sure there are areas in Madrid I wouldn't want to go to at any time of day or night, but my point is that they are not right in the centre of the city where tourists and residents go to enjoy themselves. On a visit to Manchester earlier this year, however, my OH and I saw a horrible, vicious assault being carried out by 3 men who were kicking another man whilst he was on the floor whilst a group of screaming girls, probably their girlfriends, egged them on. This was on John Dalton Street, not at all a rough area, right in the centre and about 10 yards from a very expensive bar/restaurant much frequented by Premiership footballers and the like. Their security staff did nothing to intervene. This took place at 11.00 pm as we were walking back from a restaurant to our hotel, and sadly it is all too common. My brother-in-law (in his 40s, not a young lad out on the razz) was mugged violently whilst walking to a car park after attending a concert in Manchester City Centre, and my stepson has twice been beaten up in the town where he lives, resulting in him having to spend time in hospital. He is not a drunken idiot, the first assault was the result of him having intervened when he saw someone hassling a young woman. I have been the victim of a pickpocket myself in Spain, as I have in Paris and Amsterdam, but never seen the level of public drunkenness and aggression anywhere else that I see in the UK. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Lynn R
(Post 9654603)
I have been the victim of a pickpocket myself in Spain, as I have in Paris and Amsterdam, but never seen the level of public drunkenness and aggression anywhere else that I see in the UK. Still, too much can be made of crime. I think its more about creating safe environments where you want to spend time. Spanish cities and towns all have public areas such as squares, parks and paseo maritimos where everyone goes at night to "dar un paseo". It is part of the culture for the whole family to go for a walk at night. When I first moved to Spain it was a real pleasure to see whole families out on display at night, something you dont really see in the UK. |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by Lynn R
(Post 9654603)
Actually, the drunkenness and fighting I referred to was in Manchester, not Birmingham (it was Birmingham where I was talking about people having been killed during the recent riots).
I am very sure there are areas in Madrid I wouldn't want to go to at any time of day or night, but my point is that they are not right in the centre of the city where tourists and residents go to enjoy themselves. In fact, thinking deeply about it, the only place I have seen a street fight was in Benidorm a few years back ..... and that was two women :eek: |
Re: benefits
Originally Posted by johnnyone
(Post 9654057)
Is this self analysis?
Perhaps you should try living for a while north of Watford....it's a different world up there in the north! I used to love my country, but that's the point....it is no longer the country many of us grew up in, it's changed much for the worse. Depends on what part of Eldorado you lived in I guess! |
Re: benefits
When we left the UK, we had and still have everything in place to go back whenever we want, we did not sell up.
Reading some of the comments about the UK,it would frighten the life out of anyone who had never been there. We visit very often and still have a positive opinion of the UK and the people. It is true that we are influenced by our own experience, and I must say ours has been positive, we liked where we lived, our children are still there and are doing fine. It seems a long way from the violent doom and gloom hell hole Ioften read about. |
Re: benefits
The expats who come to Spain from a 'rough' area of the UK and now live in a peaceful area of Spain will rightly praise their new home, but it's not a like for like comparison.
From personal experience I can compare Southend-on-Sea with Torrevieja and I don't think you could put a cigarette paper between them. At midday on the sea front at either place you will find the same people, holidaymakers enjoying the sea side attractions; at midnight the noisy young people take over in both places, looking for members of the opposite sex. And is Benidorm any different to Blackpool? I would say the only difference is that you get better fish and chips in Blackpool. |
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