US or Them
Jul 15th 2005, 6:37 pm
#61
C.G.D.S
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by ImHere
That makes me kinda sad. 
I'm going back for a visit in late Aug and I'm going to do some serious thinking. Mr Sibsie is not an England fan so doesn't want to come which makes my thinking even more serious. (cue big sigh)
Jul 15th 2005, 7:20 pm
#62
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
I've just come back from the laundrette, or whatever they call it over here.
Anyway there was this old guy in there. He was in his 80's and originally from Kent. We got chatting and he said he'd been here 45 years. He said he hates it. He said every single day he hates it a little more but has left it so long he can't go home now. He told me to go back while I still had the chance so that life didn't slip away and to make sure I didn't end up like him, full of regrets.
Anyway there was this old guy in there. He was in his 80's and originally from Kent. We got chatting and he said he'd been here 45 years. He said he hates it. He said every single day he hates it a little more but has left it so long he can't go home now. He told me to go back while I still had the chance so that life didn't slip away and to make sure I didn't end up like him, full of regrets.
Thats so depressing Sibs, I feel like adopting that man and buying him a ticket home.
Jul 15th 2005, 7:24 pm
#63
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by Sarah
Thats so depressing Sibs, I feel like adopting that man and buying him a ticket home.
Jul 15th 2005, 7:24 pm
#64
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 212
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by Sarah
Thats so depressing Sibs, I feel like adopting that man and buying him a ticket home.
Jul 15th 2005, 7:46 pm
#65
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Mid West >> UK
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
I'll ask around to see who he is and maybe go visit him.
Jul 15th 2005, 7:58 pm
#66
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Re: US or Them
My dad has lived in the UK since the early 70s, although he sometimes has had the urge to move back, now he makes one good point why he would never move back in three letters: NHS
Jul 15th 2005, 8:02 pm
#67
Account Closed
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Posts: 8,266
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by ladylisa
Oh bless you sibs, what a lovely thing to do. The worst thing is though if he went back to England he might not like it as he may be thinking about the country back in his day. What a sad situation, I think the worst thing about living abroad is you become out of touch with your homeland and you resent where you live because its not your homeland.
It usually sets in after 7 years though (the 7 year emigrant itch?).....
Jul 15th 2005, 8:02 pm
#68
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
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Re: US or Them
the NHS is enough to make me wanna go back too.
Jul 15th 2005, 8:26 pm
#69
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by Manc
the NHS is enough to make me wanna go back too.
Jul 15th 2005, 8:33 pm
#70
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
I'll ask around to see who he is and maybe go visit him.
Jul 15th 2005, 8:51 pm
#71
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by Lothianlad
I know I'm speaking out of turn here and I'm sorry, but this is so sad. I HOPE you meet up with the guy and have a cup of tea with him. It would be great if he could come home before it really is too late
Ronnie Biggs made it back, I think he said something along the lines he wanted to die back in Britain. To be honest, the UK has changed too, I wonder how hard it would be for a senior to go back, especially for a senior getting up there in years. Poor guy. It is a sad story.
Jul 15th 2005, 9:15 pm
#72
C.G.D.S
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Re: US or Them
Thankfully this is a really small town and everyone knows everyone. The woman who owns the launderette is the font of all knowledge so I'll ask her on Monday. I'll defo go out of my way to track him down.
Jul 15th 2005, 9:30 pm
#73
British/Irish(ish) Duncs
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Cambridge MA, via Mississippi and Belfast Northern Ireland.
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
I've just come back from the laundrette, or whatever they call it over here.
Anyway there was this old guy in there. He was in his 80's and originally from Kent. We got chatting and he said he'd been here 45 years. He said he hates it. He said every single day he hates it a little more but has left it so long he can't go home now. He told me to go back while I still had the chance so that life didn't slip away and to make sure I didn't end up like him, full of regrets.
Anyway there was this old guy in there. He was in his 80's and originally from Kent. We got chatting and he said he'd been here 45 years. He said he hates it. He said every single day he hates it a little more but has left it so long he can't go home now. He told me to go back while I still had the chance so that life didn't slip away and to make sure I didn't end up like him, full of regrets.
When we planned to move over here I thought the USA was the big shiny land of opportunity and that the grass was the greenest it could be anywhere. Its been a process of having the scales fall from my eyes as I have come to see the reality of living in America. It is not what I thought it was and in a lot of ways its much worse than the UK. I agree with the sentiments expressed above that NI has not been as corrupted and Americanised as some parts of the UK so going back to Belfast would definitely be my first choice. Its just a matter of money and then having ‘a what the hell’ moment and taking a chance. You never know until you try and I needed to try the USA to get it out of my system and find the real value of home.
Jul 15th 2005, 9:39 pm
#74
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
It was awful. I've never seen anyone look as sad.
I'm going back for a visit in late Aug and I'm going to do some serious thinking. Mr Sibsie is not an England fan so doesn't want to come which makes my thinking even more serious. (cue big sigh)
I'm going back for a visit in late Aug and I'm going to do some serious thinking. Mr Sibsie is not an England fan so doesn't want to come which makes my thinking even more serious. (cue big sigh)
Jul 15th 2005, 9:47 pm
#75
C.G.D.S
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by Ray
After 3 years away ..dont be surprised after the first week or so.. you start wanting to come home .. happened to me in 2000 and 2002 ...I keep putting another trip off ...