britvic

I know Hon, you have been here a long time. Yes it's changed and it seems worse in a lot of aspects, but I want to spend the rest of my day's in the Land I know, I want we want the same for our Son, otherwise he will grow up foreign to me

Rob B

The post was really aimed at those thinking about coming to the UK. I have never said I definatly want to leave the UK, all I have really said is that I want to experience something else, and if I like it I may end up moving there.

I don't expect America to be wonderfully 'leave you car door unlocked' cultured, I am realistic, and am aware that the US suffers from many of the same problems the UK does in society. I am also aware than the US is tough, and if things go badly you are on your own.

anotherlimey

Cops are always good at dettering crime.

TruBrit

good for you rob...it's good to get out there and see the world while you can and if like me it'll make you realise what is great about britain

Rob B

Cops in the UK always seem more interested in standing at the side of the road clocking people for doing 32mph. They are increasing the number of cops on the street in the worse areas due to heavy public protest, but many areas are still neglected. Someone down my street had her front door and fences smashed down by some young drunken thugs and she phoned the cops whilst they were in the act, they did another house on the same night, and the cops didn't turn up until 3 hours after the event which makes you feel really safe.

This 'chav culture' is able to thrive freely because the lack of police presence on the streets. Yet, if you go 33mph in a 30 zone you have a ticket in the post within 2 days.

Hayley

Not enough I don't think!

Jerseygirl

There's a surprise.

Jerseygirl

I feel the same.

Hayley

Me too!

asdasd12345

When I went back to England after not being there for 9 years, it felt more foreign to me than America. In Stoke-on-Trent, where I was unfortunate enough to have been raised, every day I heard some different strange accent. There were a lot of Polish, Arabs, Russians, just about any type of person you could imagine. On the television, most programs deal with people buying houses in countries other than England, because most English people want to get out. Everytime I went out at night, my family shouted at me because its not safe to do so because theres so many yobs about.

gardnma

That cut to the quick here across the river. I see the way my kids play video games all day if I let them and wonder - could they have the type of upbringing I benefitted from? We had different stuff, which, in retrospect seem somehow purer, cleaner, better. Things I'd like to give them.
Childhood memories through rose-colored glasses - aye there's the rub as the great bard said...........

Jerseygirl

All those long sunny summer days and thick snow during winter....yes you always look back with rose coloured glasses.

gruffbrown

Very, very true though

snowbunny

Same with mine, though, and I grew up in this country, out of doors, with other kids and nature as my companions. Kids in general spend more time indoors, which drives me batty. I have tried everything to chase them out but since there are no *other* kids outside....

Part of this is fewer kids per family, part more vigilance on parents' part and a reluctance to let children play unattended, part due to electronic and other toys available indoors.

Irn-bru

Was in US for nearly 3 yrs when we had to go back. And I was shocked that I had a harder time fitting back in the UK than I did when I first came here. I found my friends couldn't relate to me or to my experiences - found that really hard and couldn't fit in with them. So didn't feel at "home" when I went home which is a crazy weird feeling.

And now that I am back I fit in better here but know it's still not my natural home so have truly a nomadic soul - not feeling home anywhere!
If you ever did go back you might be surprised at your feelings, I was told how it could be but didn't listen - which I did.