NationStates Jolt Archive

What do you know or think of the UK? When someone says the word to you what do you think of?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_diO7Of188s (Not a rickroll.)

Chavs. Doesn't get more UK than that.

Never heard of it.

Never heard of it.

Never met a Ukelele?

Here's their national anthem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeFDFQsoRKU).

Ummm... I think of my grandma from York, and all my relatives in Swaffam Bulbeck, and pubs, and pub grub, and Yorkshire pudding (with sausage... mmmmm, toad in the hole). I also think of beef roasts like shoe leather, and Doctor Who, and Are you Being Served?, Waiting for God, the craziness that is the Welsh language, craic and trad music... Accents to die for, Henry VII, Grace O'Malley, forty shades of green, Pea soupers, Victoriana... I can go on and on and on. Oh, the fish and chips cart, and curries, and Red Dwarf. Shutting up now.

I have got to get my grandma to make Yorkshire pudding. Soon. It's like an addiction!

Seppos putting on bad fake pommy accents...

Well, I think of a political oxymoron: a democratic kingdom. I also think of the colours H.B.M. usually wears, of tea, scones, fish and chips with malt vinegar, scotch, Iron Maiden, Queen, Shakespeare and Tolkien. Oh, and that drive-on-the-left-side oddity.

What do you know or think of the UK? When someone says the word to you what do you think of?

Miniaturism. I remember all that I saw of it as being quaintly undersized, built for the shortasses of the 17th century. (It was twenty years ago, though. I understand you have built some big things no-one likes, since then.)

You guys should stop being Euro-Snobs. If you leave it too long, the new superpower might not want you ... and after that you're gone. You'll be to Europe what Cuba is to the United States.

Mmmm..Batter...
I think of the Armed Forces, the Highlands, Shropshire, London and food.
:)

Miniaturism. I remember all that I saw of it as being quaintly undersized, built for the shortasses of the 17th century. (It was twenty years ago, though. I understand you have built some big things no-one likes, since then.)

You guys should stop being Euro-Snobs. If you leave it too long, the new superpower might not want you ... and after that you're gone. You'll be to Europe what Cuba is to the United States.

I agree we should stop the 'special' relationship and join the Euro fully. Kick out as many military americans as possible and disarm our nuke before building new ones with the French and Germans. *nods*

P.S. I like the Gherkin and other new towers!

You guys should stop being Euro-Snobs. If you leave it too long, the new superpower might not want you ... and after that you're gone. You'll be to Europe what Cuba is to the United States.

Umm our health service will get better?

What do you know or think of the UK? When someone says the word to you what do you think of?

To be completely honest, I think that a significant minority of the males there have an ego problem and they still think that they're "superior" to everyone else.

I agree we should stop the 'special' relationship and join the Euro fully. Kick out as many military americans as possible and disarm our nuke before building new ones with the French and Germans. *nods*

It was awfully big of you to give us a nuke. If we'd known you only had two, we probably would have insisted that you keep them both.

Well, OK, we don't strictly HAVE the nuke any more. It was stored at Maralinga and one of the locals seems to have nicked it. It'll probably turn up in the back of an old Holden somewhere.

To be completely honest, I think that a significant minority of the males there have an ego problem and they still think that they're "superior" to everyone else.

Not everyone, just most other people!


Bwhahahahhah.

I would ask though, is feeling superior really an ego problem? Coz it seems to me there is no problem there, the ego is working fine.

To be completely honest, I think that a significant minority of the males there have an ego problem and they still think that they're "superior" to everyone else.

And you base this on...?

And you base this on...?

The same base that you call Americans stupid on - nothing but examples of a few.

The same base that you call Americans stupid on - nothing but examples of a few.

I'm sorry? I call Americans stupid?

Umm our health service will get better?

Hehe. :)

Is your health service really bad, though? I'd assumed it was a bit like ours: avoid black spot hospitals and don't have a problem on Saturday night, and it's OK ?

Hehe. :)

Is your health service really bad, though? I'd assumed it was a bit like ours: avoid black spot hospitals and don't have a problem on Saturday night, and it's OK ?

Naaa personaly I think it is better than a lot of people say it is. We do like to moan about things here(perhaps it's the ever chaning weather?) and many people moan about the state of the NHS, but over the last 5-10 years it has improved, waiting times are down etc.. and remember it is free, the state puts a lot of our taxes into and in previous years has been somewhat of a sinkhole for money.

I used to work in the NHS and the only real gripe I have about it, is the old opne about too many chiefs not enough indians.

When I think "UK" I think of David Tennant, John Simm and a boatload of aliens.
*starts tapping on the desk*

I'm sorry? I call Americans stupid?

Not "you" as in Philosophy, but "you" as in the people (plural).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73eB-aAo8Eg

This is what I think of when I hear the name Britain

I also cannot help but think of the paintings of Constable

When I think "UK" I think of David Tennant, John Simm and a boatload of aliens.
*starts tapping on the desk*

Bwahahah 'here comes the drums'

Not "you" as in Philosophy, but "you" as in the people (plural).

Oh, I see, so 'the people' all think this, but as one of those 'people' I don't?

Oh, I see, so 'the people' all think this, but as one of those 'people' I don't?

So in essence you're saying that I'm making generalizations?

Wow...learning through example.

So in essence you're saying that I'm making generalizations?

Wow...learning through example.

Naaaa I think he is just being pedantic. There is precedant for using 'them' or 'people' in the general term.

Monty Python (duh), Top Gear, the Queen, chestnut blossom in April, ivy, the Tube, fish'n'chips, freshly squeezed orange juice :dies of envy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN239G6aJZo

:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN239G6aJZo

:)

Good movie.

I do like living here....apart from some chavs however that seems to have died a sudden death where I'm currently located, and I live in one of the biggest estates in the UK!

Also, fish and chips are excellent, in fact I may go down to the chippy in a bit.

Other things associated with the UK include:

The Royal Family
BBC
Big double decker red buses (exclusive to London)
Black Cabs ( again London)
Kilts! (Scotland)
Deep fried anything (Mainly Scotland)
Sheep (Wales)

Hehe. :)

Is your health service really bad, though? I'd assumed it was a bit like ours: avoid black spot hospitals and don't have a problem on Saturday night, and it's OK ?

Don't have a problem on Saturday night, or in September :)

Black Cabs ( again London)


I can assure you we have Hackney carriages outside London too :)

Red telephone boxes, bowler hats, the Queen, fish and chips, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the smiling face of a cockney street urchin when you throw them a shiny sixpenny bit...oh God my nightmares are back..the cliches....the cliches.

I can assure you we have Hackney carriages outside London too :)

Fine...exclusive to the cities then

Umm our health service will get better?
That remains to be seen. Most EU member nations on the continent, as the British like to call mainland Europe, have rather well working health care systems.

UK hey, bunch of whingeing Poms if you ask me.

Seriously, A noble and ancient nation who unfortunately has lost its way and is no longer the country to look to as an example, it is a great shame to bad that you allowed people who thought they knew it all 'lefties' run the country for a few years.

A lot of Brits I know don't really feel any need to go back as it has changed so much they don't have any thing to feel proud about as it has in the words of one Pom "gone to the dogs".

Plus a bad cricket team.

Miniaturism. I remember all that I saw of it as being quaintly undersized, built for the shortasses of the 17th century. (It was twenty years ago, though. I understand you have built some big things no-one likes, since then.)


Most of the new buildings in London are terrific. Especially in Canary Wharf and the City.

My experience is that the Poms were very friendly and helpful. I especially loved the music in all the different accents.

My own Oz accent seemed to be a passport for friendliness even though we were thrashing you in the Ashes at the time.

I've been to the UK twice, it's a nice country. Granted, it's not the Empire anymore that it used to be, but things change. I'm from the Netherlands, Indonesia once was a part of the Dutch kingdom. It's no use dwelling in the past, which doesn't mean that you shouldn't learn from history.

What's up with the British pound, by the way? One pound used to be EUR 1,50, but now it's just EUR 1,25. That's quite a bit of inflation, isn't it?

, craic , Grace O'Malley, forty shades of green, !

Irish, thanks bunches. Grace O'Malley was from Galway.

I simply don't understand the notion that the UK was a better country when it was killing, raping and pillaging across the world.

I've been to the UK twice, it's a nice country. Granted, it's not the Empire anymore that it used to be, but things change. I'm from the Netherlands, Indonesia once was a part of the Dutch kingdom. It's no use dwelling in the past, which doesn't mean that you shouldn't learn from history.

What's up with the British pound, by the way? One pound used to be EUR 1,50, but now it's just EUR 1,25. That's quite a bit of inflation, isn't it?

The economy is hitting a bit of a snag at the moment. Today the Bank of England injected 50 billion GBP to stimulate the banks. Also goods are becoming more expensive so people are paying less, a tax increase for 5 million of low income workers all equals a bleak economic future.

Has it something to do with that bank that had to be nationalized in order to avoid an outbreak of panic and chaos?

Has it something to do with that bank that had to be nationalized in order to avoid an outbreak of panic and chaos?

That is probably a contributing factor in the situation but not wholly to do with it. The market is just hitting a bump in the road, while people and the banks have to make adjustments. Currently a lot of banks have withdrawn mortgage deals for new customers, not wanting to risk anything bad happening financially. The PM is facing a rebellion within his own party due to his handling of the situation though.

What do you know or think of the UK? When someone says the word to you what do you think of?
Well I live here, so I think of... living here.

Incidentally, I come from East Lothian. Whereabouts in the Shire are you shacked up?

Seriously, A noble and ancient nation who unfortunately has lost its way and is no longer the country to look to as an example, it is a great shame to bad that you allowed people who thought they knew it all ‘lefties’ run the country for a few years.
Who would those be?

Plus a bad cricket team.
That would be England, not the UK.

The United Kingdom and Europe in general are of course also feeling the shockwave of the fabulous US American mortgage crisis. A pretty irritating situation, when you think of it... people shouldn't be able to get a mortgage when they cannot afford one!

ncidentally, I come from East Lothian. Whereabouts in EL are you sacked up?

Musselburgh,you? :)

P.S This is my secondary nation. My main nation is called Mussleburgh. ;)

...even though we were thrashing you in the Ashes at the time.

People outside England have never really understood cricket - the idea is not to get the most runs but to lose with panache.

As far as I understand it, the national teams of India and Pakistan have a different approach towards cricket. Keep in mind that this is the 21st century, old chap. Panache went out of style in the seventies.

Musselburgh,you? :)

P.S This is my secondary nation. My main nation is called Mussleburgh. ;)
Ahh. :p

I’m from North Berwick, though I’m living in Glasgow at the mo.

People outside England have never really understood cricket - the idea is not to get the most runs but to lose with panache.

No, no. For the English the idea is to draw with honour. Losing has too much pathos.

That would be England, not the UK.

Touche

But the Scottish team isn't that hot either mate.

As far as I understand it, the national teams of India and Pakistan have a different approach towards cricket. Keep in mind that this is the 21st century, old chap. Panache went out of style in the seventies.

I think those two countries have a better approach to cricket. Did you see the launch of the Indian Premier League?!:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7355782.stm

How is the Welsh team?

Touche

But the Scottish team isn’t that hot either mate.
Scotland and competitive sport don’t mix. :p

Irish, thanks bunches. Grace O'Malley was from Galway.

Craic and 40 shades of green can technically be included by virtue of NI

Scotland and competitive sport don’t mix. :p

You guys did win the elephant polo didn't you?

Miniaturism. I remember all that I saw of it as being quaintly undersized, built for the shortasses of the 17th century. .

Obviously you stumbled into the model village at Bourton-on-the-water, built as a faithful replica to the actual village, but at 1:9 scale.

http://www.theoldnewinn.co.uk/village.htm

But from this American visitor's point of view, the real coolness comes when you see that the model of the village contains a model of the model of the village (logical, since the model happens to be located in the village being modelled!) and THAT contains a model of the model of the model of the village.

You guys did win the elephant polo didn’t you?
Yup, or at least, the Duke of Argyll and his chums did (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4073353.stm).

Elephant polo, curling, occasionally golf. That’s mostly it.

Though we rock at heart disease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN239G6aJZo

:)

Amusing and accurate. You'll notice none of the Man Utd supporters actually have Manchester accents.

Scotland and competitive sport don’t mix.

Rugby! Football! Swimming! Track, mountain and freestyle cycling!

Ahh.

I’m from North Berwick, though I’m living in Glasgow at the mo.

Cool, what high school you go to? :)

A few of my other observations on the UK, in brief (as a well travelled American):

Driving on the left is no big deal, since the steering wheels are also on the left, and if you simply allow your brain to replace the concepts Left and Right with Driver's Side and Passenger's Side, the whole thing flips symetrically and quite easily.

But Roundabouts (we call them Traffic Circles, when we're not using obscenities to describe them) are cruel, despicable inventions of psychotically sadistic civil engineers. But that's not just the UK, that's wherever they appear. The UK uses them a LOT, though.

Drivers in England are incredibly courteous, patient, and friendly to each other on the road. Amazingly, they seem astonished to hear this- but that's because they've never driven in the US or in Asia.

Drivers in Wales are NOT. In Wales, they use the same rules as drivers do in the Bronx: at an intersection, the most intimidating vehicle has the right of way.

The British have been at this civilization thing a LONG time, and so they have developed a profound sense of "proper". They know what is expected of them, simply because its been expected for over a millenium. "Proper" extends to every facet of life. There is an instinctive expectation of a "Proper" way to everything. Those that deal with foreigners regularly (like Londoners) are fully aware that foreigners do not know what is proper and have to be carefully instructed- hence the "look LEFT" warnings painted thoughtfully in the streets, and the helpful guides in the subways (underground trains)- while British elsewhere seem baffled by the fact that foreigners don't seem to know exactly how everything works.

Related to this, two elderly Brits can grunt at each other and in that single word-less exchange, pass more information than a typical CD-ROM disk can store.

The British view their gardens in much the same way that Texans view guns. Attempting to seperate either is not recommended.

Every city in England other than London suffers from Second City Syndrome- the cultural void created by the primary city sucking in most of the good stuff. Liverpool makes a valiant effort to combat this, but almost nobody knows.

Americans should avoid driving in British cities. But this goes for any European city- the concept of the Parallel Line was apparently invented in New York some time in the late 18th century, and older cities have streets planned by drunks.

Stonehenge is not nearly as fascinating as tourist literature makes it out to be. It's a bunch of big rocks, standing up. Once you've absorbed that, you can move on.

So many of the buildings are so old, and endowed with so much architectural and historical character that the relationship between Humans and Architecture is entirely unlike the United States. In the USA, a person frequently views his home as an extension of himself, whereas in the UK it's the other way around.

Nearly everything of interest to tourists in London is in some way connected with Death. Tour guides seem incredibly eager to tell visitors who died where, when, and how, in gruesome detail. It would be like tour guides in New York describing each location in terms of what mob hits took place there.

Their subways are clean, efficient, and effective, and you are courteously reminded to "Mind the Gap" every nine seconds. They sorely need air conditioning, but the Brits, being as proper as they are, prefer to sweat with dignity than to actually complain.

Lots and lots of sheep. If you drive randomly across the countryside of the US, you will inevitably find cows. In the UK, it's sheep.

If you visit a charming little country store in the Cotswolds, you will find that it contains the exact same merchandise as a charming little country store in the Pokonos or Berkshires.

The British ecosystem is being invaded by North American Gray Squirrels and Canada Geese. The Brits are only now becoming aware of what this means.

They tend to have bizarre views of the United States, which are reinforced by American movies and television.

Every city in England other than London suffers from Second City Syndrome- the cultural void created by the primary city sucking in most of the good stuff. Liverpool makes a valiant effort to combat this, but almost nobody knows.

... I have no idea what you are talking about...

...





:p

When someone says the word to you what do you think of?

I say "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks."

Sorry.

Bad teeth, a hard to understand accent, and a world conquering Empire. :)

... I have no idea what you are talking about...

...




:p

My explanation would be dependent on where in the UK you actually are.

Obviously you stumbled into the model village at Bourton-on-the-water, built as a faithful replica to the actual village, but at 1:9 scale.

http://www.theoldnewinn.co.uk/village.htm

But from this American visitor's point of view, the real coolness comes when you see that the model of the village contains a model of the model of the village (logical, since the model happens to be located in the village being modelled!) and THAT contains a model of the model of the model of the village.

I'm getting vertigo thinking about it.

A few of my other observations on the UK, in brief (as a well travelled American): SNIP

Heh, some amusing observations. Though I would say, roundabouts are a terrific invention, you foreign types just don't know how to use them properly :p

My explanation would be dependent on where in the UK you actually are.

I though my sig might give it away...


:)

more trains and bussess then per capita then u.s. that's smart. not as much as some other places in europe, that's not.

rather extremely arbitrary taste's in architecture, that's not so smart either.

having figured out trying to rule the entire planet wasn't such a good idea, smartest of all and something america really seriously needs to learn.

i really like the little slate railways in wales, but seriously thing the eirish need to restor the ancient listowal and ballybunion peg leg monorail to full common carrier public service capacity and expand beyond even that.

same goes for narrow gauge m.u.'s. (well everywhere really, not just in gb or the uk, but in every language speaking, every dominant belief, every idiology and everything else place where there's land on the surface of the planet, that goes for inovative nonhighway transport of all kinds, but especially small form factor and guideway based)

beyond that, well like everyplace the beliefs and story telling of the indiginous people who were there anciently before, and before roman conquests and all that too, long before. maybe even before the milsians brought the tuath de, but all that kinds of stuff.

i just think you should build round and other odder houses instead of rows of porchless semi-detatcheds. that everyone else would be happier doing so too.

oh, and your food ain't that bad either. it's only because of the diversity of the european continent that it has that reputation by comparison, but compaired to what is most commonly eaten these days in the u.s., a big breakfast with fried tomatoes to go with your sausage and eggs sounds pretty good to me.

so do some of your other underrated specialties.

=^^=
.../\...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_diO7Of188s (Not a rickroll.)

Chavs. Doesn't get more UK than that.

I feel a little odd agreeing with you, but all the same, I do. I fear the despicable little bastards are indeed our greatest cultural and social feature at present.

That and cricket, which is simply the best sport on the planet when played in proper whites, and in a proper format.

What do you know or think of the UK? When someone says the word to you what do you think of?

Bad food, awesome music, that tall guy from Top Gear who makes jokes about cars.

the UK.
To think of the UK I go back to 11 September 2001 (might have been 12th i was stationed in Asia). The UK played the US national anthem, And PM Blair came out and stated we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Americans.
And despite making a right mess of things *ahem* Iraq *Ahem* those Brits have been there shoulder to shoulder with us.
UK is sort of like that friend, that when you in a bar you don't belong at, and the last thing you should do is start a fight, but you do anyways. The UK is that one friend who has your back anyways.

To be honest almost worth undoing that whole war for independence thing.

But Roundabouts (we call them Traffic Circles, when we’re not using obscenities to describe them) are cruel, despicable inventions of psychotically sadistic civil engineers. But that’s not just the UK, that’s wherever they appear. The UK uses them a LOT, though.
Check this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)) bad boy out.

while British elsewhere seem baffled by the fact that foreigners don’t seem to know exactly how everything works.
But the instructions are written in English, for Pete’s sake! It’s like these foreigners have a different word for everything. With apologies to Steve Martin.

Rugby! Football!
The national teams are hardly world class.

Swimming! Track, mountain and freestyle cycling!
You’ve got a point there.

Cool, what high school you go to? :)
North Berwick High, though I graduated a good few years back.

I say “Yeah, I’m fine, thanks.”
Boom boom!!

I fear the despicable little bastards are indeed our greatest cultural and social feature at present.
You exaggerate.

Wildly.

I seem to remember something about a Queen...

And what exactly is a chav?

And what exactly is a chav?
A pejorative term for a troublesome (working class) teenager.

I simply don't understand the notion that the UK was a better country when it was killing, raping and pillaging across the world.

Sorry mate but it has to be said which major power (past and present) hasn't done the same?

Britain is home to London and to the Premier League. And the best stand up comedy in the world.

Other than that, I can take it or leave it.

Sorry mate but it has to be said which major power (past and present) hasn't done the same?

I can't think of any. But I don't see how that changes anything, "but sir, all the other boys are doing it!" simply isn't an excuse. Maybe you could say we should look at it in the context of the time and maybe that's a fair point but you can't use that to explain away the glorification of it in the present day.

I seem to remember something about a Queen...

And what exactly is a chav?

Wikipedia is your friend! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav)

From what I've heard, the word 'Chav' was originally regarded as police code for 'Council houses and violence'.

From what I’ve heard, the word ‘Chav’ was originally regarded as police code for ‘Council houses and violence’.
I believe that’s a backronym, as is ‘Ned’ standing for ‘Non-Educated Delinquent’.

I can't think of any. But I don't see how that changes anything, "but sir, all the other boys are doing it!" simply isn't an excuse. Maybe you could say we should look at it in the context of the time and maybe that's a fair point but you can't use that to explain away the glorification of it in the present day.

My comment may have been unjust, but I'm sick and tired of hearing people say "oh my country is better than yours!".

Personnaly I believe no country in the world is the 'best', most of them have histories that they rather wished to be wiped clean.

My comment may have been unjust, but I'm sick and tired of hearing people say "oh my country is better than yours!".


Who is saying that? I said that people in the UK who think their country is "going to the dogs" should stop and consider whether the previous years were so much better.


Personnaly I believe no country in the world is the 'best', most of them have histories that they rather wished to be wiped clean

Well, that's just the thing. Many people seem to wish to relive those days rather than wiping them clean. We can't control what happened in the past but we can control the way we view it.

Who is saying that? I said that people in the UK who think their country is "going to the dogs" should stop and consider whether the previous years were so much better.

Some yank on another forum and a few others, it really gets me when they tend to skip the bad stuff.

Still everyone has their ups and downs, hell ten years ago there used to be alot of industrial wasteland and disused factories round my way. Now we've had new shopping centers and retail parks built, but recently I've begun to notice an awful lot of empty shops. Plus a couple of years back I lost my job when the company I worked for went bust rather unexpectedly.

Well, that's just the thing. Many people seem to wish to relive those days rather than wiping them clean. We can't control what happened in the past but we can control the way we view it.

True and it remains me of a certian quote, "History is writtern by the victors".

And lastly I apologise if I had offended you.

Check this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)) bad boy out.

Awesome example there, and they work very well in my experience (one of the other magic roundabouts listed on that page is in my nearest town, though I've never heard it called that, the layout is very similar).

There also appears to a Roundabout Appreciation Society. Excellent.

I seem to remember something about a Queen...

And what exactly is a chav?

Heh don't get me started on Chavs. Being an older bloke a chav to me is what it has always been a gypsy word for a child. Nowadays it means apperance obsessed trouble making teenage yob.

I can't think of any. But I don't see how that changes anything, "but sir, all the other boys are doing it!" simply isn't an excuse. Maybe you could say we should look at it in the context of the time and maybe that's a fair point but you can't use that to explain away the glorification of it in the present day.

Bwhahaha what glorifacation? Also we certianly where not the first, Rome, Mongols, and Vandals to name just a few.

To be completely honest, I think that a significant minority of the males there have an ego problem and they still think that they're "superior" to everyone else.
nooooo, that happens everywhere. The ones i know don't have an ego problem, the ones i don't know well have an esteem problem.

Mott Haven
A few of my other observations on the UK, in brief (as a well travelled American):
I'm watching.

Driving on the left is no big deal, since the steering wheels are also on the left, and if you simply allow your brain to replace the concepts Left and Right with Driver's Side and Passenger's Side, the whole thing flips symetrically and quite easily.
I hate driving in UK, when i was learning i had some horrible experiences.

But Roundabouts (we call them Traffic Circles, when we're not using obscenities to describe them) are cruel, despicable inventions of psychotically sadistic civil engineers. But that's not just the UK, that's wherever they appear. The UK uses them a LOT, though.
This is true, another reason i hate driving in UK.

Drivers in England are incredibly courteous, patient, and friendly to each other on the road. Amazingly, they seem astonished to hear this- but that's because they've never driven in the US or in Asia.
oh, thanks.:)

Drivers in Wales are NOT. In Wales, they use the same rules as drivers do in the Bronx: at an intersection, the most intimidating vehicle has the right of way.
Didn't know this, Wales seemed like the rest of the UK to me.

The British have been at this civilization thing a LONG time, and so they have developed a profound sense of "proper". They know what is expected of them, simply because its been expected for over a millenium. "Proper" extends to every facet of life. There is an instinctive expectation of a "Proper" way to everything. Those that deal with foreigners regularly (like Londoners) are fully aware that foreigners do not know what is proper and have to be carefully instructed- hence the "look LEFT" warnings painted thoughtfully in the streets, and the helpful guides in the subways (underground trains)- while British elsewhere seem baffled by the fact that foreigners don't seem to know exactly how everything works.
I like tourists, they're funny. A nice break from the locals.
proper? I know about this, and i detest this properness. although maybe it doesn't just manifest in the UK.

Related to this, two elderly Brits can grunt at each other and in that single word-less exchange, pass more information than a typical CD-ROM disk can store.
hehe.

The British view their gardens in much the same way that Texans view guns. Attempting to seperate either is not recommended.
oh yes, i love my garden and it's true.

Every city in England other than London suffers from Second City Syndrome- the cultural void created by the primary city sucking in most of the good stuff. Liverpool makes a valiant effort to combat this, but almost nobody knows.
I've heard about this, but i find the primary cities are just as bad as the secondary cities.
Americans should avoid driving in British cities. But this goes for any European city- the concept of the Parallel Line was apparently invented in New York some time in the late 18th century, and older cities have streets planned by drunks.
This is true, in many of the older towns in UK, of which there are many the roads are not designed for traffic.

Stonehenge is not nearly as fascinating as tourist literature makes it out to be. It's a bunch of big rocks, standing up. Once you've absorbed that, you can move on.
Oddly enough i've never been to stonehenge, i've been to other versions of it in Scotland though. (well i think it was Scotland, it was a long time ago)

So many of the buildings are so old, and endowed with so much architectural and historical character that the relationship between Humans and Architecture is entirely unlike the United States. In the USA, a person frequently views his home as an extension of himself, whereas in the UK it's the other way around.
I see what you mean, but you could have phrased this a little better.

Nearly everything of interest to tourists in London is in some way connected with Death. Tour guides seem incredibly eager to tell visitors who died where, when, and how, in gruesome detail. It would be like tour guides in New York describing each location in terms of what mob hits took place there.
Oh well who cares about London? of course they'l talk about death, people love talking about death for some reason.

Their subways are clean, efficient, and effective, and you are courteously reminded to "Mind the Gap" every nine seconds. They sorely need air conditioning, but the Brits, being as proper as they are, prefer to sweat with dignity than to actually complain.
hmmm, i found them really crowded but i'm sure it's like that with most subway systems.

Lots and lots of sheep. If you drive randomly across the countryside of the US, you will inevitably find cows. In the UK, it's sheep.
ah, go to the smaller towns and you might find a few other animals roaming about, but yeah there's plenty of sheep.

If you visit a charming little country store in the Cotswolds, you will find that it contains the exact same merchandise as a charming little country store in the Pokonos or Berkshires.
?

The British ecosystem is being invaded by North American Gray Squirrels and Canada Geese. The Brits are only now becoming aware of what this means.
yeah USA is evil. (jk)

They tend to have bizarre views of the United States, which are reinforced by American movies and television.
this could be true, but where else will people gain knowledge about other countries if they don't visit them?

Bad teeth, a hard to understand accent, and a world conquering Empire. :)
which accent? there's looooads of accents in the UK.
I seem to remember something about a Queen...

And what exactly is a chav?

The queen is just there to attract the tourists really, she's not important.
A chav (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav), is the bad name given to people who have less money than you and less success than you. best to avoid calling anyone this.

oh and i saw the vid LG posted, it's nothing like that i'm afraid. Eurotrip is just horrible to watch, apart from a few select scenes.
As to Fassitude, i've seen that before again not all parts of the UK are like that. The larger cities perhaps, oh and in Scotland they have a different name, Neds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_(Scottish)) (non educated delinquents).

I can't think of any. But I don't see how that changes anything, "but sir, all the other boys are doing it!" simply isn't an excuse. Maybe you could say we should look at it in the context of the time and maybe that's a fair point but you can't use that to explain away the glorification of it in the present day.

I disagree with the basis of the above, on the grounds that the technological, medical and economic advances arising from colonialism have tended to be overlooked in favour of moralistic tracts criticising the nasty old white man.

In any case, I'm wholly comfortable with imperialism; both on the grounds that it was typical of its epoch, and that I consider the benefits it has given me to far outweigh any negative impacts.

Last I checked, most of Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom.

Most? What map are you looking at?

or did you last check before 1922

Most? What map are you looking at?


One with more red on it than would be warranted nowadays, I'd suspect.

I am in the UK now.

The English food is horrible. Frying a fish and serving it with plain boiled vegetables and french fries/ chips DO NOT make a cuisine. I think the English invaded India just to get the recipes of better food. :p

Things are...small..the rooms, the showers, the roads, the cars, the chairs in restaurants etc.

Things are costly too.....I would be broke if I was earning a USD equivalent salary here.

People are obsessed about complaining about the weather. It is probably the most used conversation starter. Also obsessed about tea.

Food has lots of oil (not just English or Indian, even Italian, French etc that I have been to here).

Why oh why do they have the silly chip credit cards and not the ones that is probably used all over the world.:mad:

Most? What map are you looking at?

or did you last check before 1922

Edited, then deleted. Tired and incoherent.

Edited, then deleted. Tired and incoherent.

No problemo. To be fair two of your three suggestions still fit

I think the English invaded India just to get the recipes of better food. :p
Probably not half wrong. I don't know where we'd be if not for curry. Oh, we'd be eating more Italian, I guess.

When people say "English food is horrible" it depends what they mean. English "cuisine" is terrible but that's not to say you can't eat very good food in England.

http://br.geocities.com/santadaesquina/Monocle-man.JPG

http://www.friesian.com/history/britania.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/British_Empire_Anachronous_7.png/800px-British_Empire_Anachronous_7.png

Also obsessed about tea.
With damn good reason.

When people say "English food is horrible" it depends what they mean. English "cuisine" is terrible but that's not to say you can't eat very good food in England.
Does English "cuisine" even exist??
For Holland ofcourse, it's obvious: drugs & whores.

I think of not good-looking guys with hot hot accents.
Oh, and lots of ghosts everywhere

sed [/I]about complaining about the weather. It is probably the most used conversation starter. Also obsessed about tea.


I must chime in here, I'm not sure who you talk to, but I hardly ever talk about the weather, and I don't know anyone who does regularly. The only reason it ever arises in conversation is if it might affect a future event. I'm getting annoyed about this stereotype.

English food is great, I love having a good roast dinner.

I must chime in here, I'm not sure who you talk to, but I hardly ever talk about the weather, and I don't know anyone who does regularly. The only reason it ever arises in conversation is if it might affect a future event. I'm getting annoyed about this stereotype.

I am in the South East and over the course of a day, I talk to about 30 odd people and at least half of the conversations begin about how bad the weather is. Maybe it will change whenever summer comes...does summer ever come in the UK? *asking hopefully*

As an Englishman, I have to say that the UK sucks, but not as much as the rest of the world.

I think the English invaded India just to get the recipes of better food. :p
Don't be ridiculous. It was for the tea.

As an Englishman, I have to say that the UK sucks, but not as much as the rest of the world.


That is the most English thing that has ever been written on these boards.

I think of our two nations as family. (particulary since I still have cousins up there.)

I think about Buckingham Palace and the London Tower. I think about ghostly castles, Queen Elizabeth I and those soldier hats. So bushy and black.

UK ?
A failed colony of France :]

Bad food, prood people, a long and beautiful history of rivalry between us.

How would have been the world without you pesky british always paying other countries to do war against us ? :p

UK ?
A failed colony of France :]

Bad food, prood people, a long and beautiful history of rivalry between us.

How would have been the world without you pesky british always paying other countries to do war against us ? :p

I'm pretty sure the UK (read England) had more land claimed in France than the French ever did in the UK :p

We still have a tax going that was originally set up to fight France. Don't think we won't do it again...

UK ?
A failed colony of France :]

Bad food, prood people, a long and beautiful history of rivalry between us.

How would have been the world without you pesky british always paying other countries to do war against us ? :p

I sense bitterness here.:p

isn't the UK that country full of all those really cool sexy people? :cool:

from experience we are just this quiet bunch of people (http://imgs.xkcd.com/store/imgs/just_shy_square_0.png) on the whole who want (nay, crave) some tea and biscuits whilst the telly's on

gosh we suck, but at least we are just boring :)

http://www.army.mod.uk/img/ddli/uniform_of_british_soldier_during_this_period.jpg

http://www.fantasymagazine.it/imgbank/NEWS/norrington.nb.jpg

Stephen Fry. (And Hugh Laurie (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/cody_saoyrn/hughlauriewut.jpg) by association.) Oscar Wilde too, I suppose, because he spent most of his time there.

Also, Earl Grey tea unf yes.

When people say "English food is horrible" it depends what they mean. English "cuisine" is terrible but that's not to say you can't eat very good food in England.

My grandma (from York) can't cook a beef roast to save her soul. They all turn out like shoe leather. But then she makes beef stew out of them the next day, so that makes it all good. (she makes a kick ass beef stew)

Most of my familiarity with British food comes from pub grub (wouldn't touch in a thousand years) and my mom reminiscing about the fish and chip van coming through the village every few days while she was visiting. Oh, and vindaloos, but that's from Red Dwarf.

What do you know or think of the UK? When someone says the word to you what do you think of?

My initial thought:
"Wow. Is it really that hard to spell 'U.S.?'"

My initial thought:
"Wow. Is it really that hard to spell 'U.S.?'"

Lol.

Having lived in England I do have to say overall I liked it. People were decent, good history, Lot's to do, women were friendly. One downside was the cost of some basic items in comparison to the US. The weather wasn't the best either. However that is a bit of it's charm.

UK ?
A failed colony of France :]

Bad food, prood people, a long and beautiful history of rivalry between us.

How would have been the world without you pesky british always paying other countries to do war against us ? :p

Is this from a Frenchman?

England was never a colony of France, as a matter of fact it has never been under the control of the French.

As for paying other countries to do war against you (assuming you are talking about France, if not let me know). I seem to recall the French giving aid both in people, money and weapons to the Scots to help defeat England, and the same to the Irish to help defeat the UK

England was never a colony of France, as a matter of fact it has never been under the control of the French.

Well, unless you are saying that Normandy wasn't part of France in the 11th century, I'm not sure how you can say this with a straight face.

Well, unless you are saying that Normandy wasn't part of France in the 11th century, I'm not sure how you can say this with a straight face.

It was a seperate polity.

England was certainly never claimed as a French possession in the way that large chunks of France were by England.

(though iirc a few french kings did claim the english throne. feudalism can be so complicated)

It was a seperate polity.

England was certainly never claimed as a French possession in the way that large chunks of France were by England.

(though iirc a few french kings did claim the english throne. feudalism can be so complicated)

William I claimed it (or some at least), was he not French? Even if you say 'Norman', it is by modern boundaries part of France (though you could say they never defeated the English, they defeated the Anglo-Saxons, heh). But yes, England was far more successful at taking over places.

I am in the South East and over the course of a day, I talk to about 30 odd people and at least half of the conversations begin about how bad the weather is. Maybe it will change whenever summer comes...does summer ever come in the UK? *asking hopefully*
It does, but then we start complaining about the heat.

You’ll get used to it. :p

William I claimed it (or some at least), was he not French? Even if you say 'Norman',

He did. But as far as I know he was never on the French throne

Which brings me to something that I think about when I think about this country.

Radio 4

More specifically the In Our Time episode on "The Norman Yoke"

found: here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/rams/inourtime_20080410.ram)

I'm pretty sure the UK (read England) had more land claimed in France than the French ever did in the UK :p

We still have a tax going that was originally set up to fight France. Don't think we won't do it again...

Proportionally, that's highly unlikely. In 1203/4/5 (I forget quite which), upon the loss of Anjou and Normandy, and the invasion of England, strictly England as a whole belonged to Phillip Augustus. That he only held for it a few months, of course, is a little different.

William I claimed it (or some at least), was he not French? Even if you say 'Norman', it is by modern boundaries part of France (though you could say they never defeated the English, they defeated the Anglo-Saxons, heh). But yes, England was far more successful at taking over places.

No he was Norman, thus when William I claimed the throne of England, not only was the Kingdom of England what we know of as England today, but also Normandy, Aquitaine and Anjou, or at least during the reigns of English kings and queens, please correct me if these three areas were not under the jurisdiction of William the Conqueror.

To say it is a part of France now means nothing when we are talking about the 11th century. The distinction is important to remember.

Well, unless you are saying that Normandy wasn't part of France in the 11th century, I'm not sure how you can say this with a straight face.

It wasn't. Firstly, Normandy, Anjou, Maine, Aquitaine and Brittany all used Anglo-Norman custom and law as opposed to the Capetian tradition in eastern France. Secondly, the Dukes of Normandy, unlike those of Anjou and Aquitaine, did not owe suzerain dues to the king of France. Thirdly, Anglo-Norman and Angevin kings were entitled "King of England" before they were "Dukes of Normandy".

I feel compelled to provide a link to a page of advice for visitors from the New World in case any of you have not been enlightened as to the wonders that can be found within these fair shores. Please do come and visit. Oh yes.

http://carroll.org.uk/archives/2000/01/01/advice-to-american-tourists-in-england

I agree we should stop the 'special' relationship and join the Euro fully.

yup.

i'm from the UK and i think its a good country, but far too many people lean too much to the right for my liking. but then it is better than a lot of other places in that respect...

I feel compelled to provide a link to a page of advice for visitors from the New World in case any of you have not been enlightened as to the wonders that can be found within these fair shores. Please do come and visit. Oh yes.

http://carroll.org.uk/archives/2000/01/01/advice-to-american-tourists-in-england

lol!! that started out good and just kept getting better :p

Proportionally, that's highly unlikely. In 1203/4/5 (I forget quite which), upon the loss of Anjou and Normandy, and the invasion of England, strictly England as a whole belonged to Phillip Augustus. That he only held for it a few months, of course, is a little different.

If you are saying that England including the lands on the British Isle was under the control of Philip II then no that is not correct. Philip II recognised that John was King of England, in 1200 (which is what I think you may be referring to), however, while John was King he was in servitude to Philip II but never in complete control, this also took from England Flanders, Boulogne, England still had Brittany, Anjou and Normandy, and because Johns mother was the Duchess of Aquitaine Philip II could not have any say over the matter. This treaty collapsed in 1202 and then Philip II took most of the lands through a series of battles, Aquitaine was the easiest as Johns mother died and the Poitevin lords who were loyal to their Duchess but not her son joined the Philip II and aided the Capet's in their war. This war ended in 1206 with a treaty. The only land of the continent that still remained in England's hand was thew town of Gascony who had remained loyal to King John. Philip II never had control of England he did take over all (apart from Gascony) of the French lands of the Plantagenent's.

It is important also to remember that during these times we are talking about separate duchy's and principalities and so forth and also families, thus while we can say France had control of this and England had control of that it is more a case of the Plantagenet's had control of about half of France and England and Ireland where as the Capet's had control of the rest of the France, the idea of Nationality and a single collective didn't really come about for another 200 years or so, even now this isn't always seen in Europe, and something for people living in the New worlds hard to understand.

If you are saying that England including the lands on the British Isle was under the control of Philip II then no that is not correct. Philip II recognised that John was King of England, in 1200 (which is what I think you may be referring to), however, while John was King he was in servitude to Philip II but never in complete control, this also took from England Flanders, Boulogne, England still had Brittany, Anjou and Normandy, and because Johns mother was the Duchess of Aquitaine Philip II could not have any say over the matter. This treaty collapsed in 1202 and then Philip II took most of the lands through a series of battles, Aquitaine was the easiest as Johns mother died and the Poitevin lords who were loyal to their Duchess but not her son joined the Philip II and aided the Capet's in their war. This war ended in 1206 with a treaty. The only land of the continent that still remained in England's hand was thew town of Gascony who had remained loyal to King John. Philip II never had control of England he did take over all (apart from Gascony) of the French lands of the Plantagenent's.

It is important also to remember that during these times we are talking about separate duchy's and principalities and so forth and also families, thus while we can say France had control of this and England had control of that it is more a case of the Plantagenet's had control of about half of France and England and Ireland where as the Capet's had control of the rest of the France, the idea of Nationality and a single collective didn't really come about for another 200 years or so, even now this isn't always seen in Europe, and something for people living in the New worlds hard to understand.


I would agree concerning the notion either of a "French" identity or "French" state; this did not exist in even a coalescent form until the late fifteenth century. However, Phillip actually ceded Brittany to John at Le Goulet.

What I refer to is, in fact, having just consulted wikipedia and books from the library on loan, is the invasion of Louis, later Louis VIII, at the invitation of the English barons in 1216. From his coronation at Westminster in May, to the treaty of Lambeth and defection of the barons from him in 1217, Louis was officially, and essentially, King of England. Sorry for misleading you, it's a little early for me to be thinking about history.

[QUOTE=Chumblywumbly;13627700]
Quote:
"while British elsewhere seem baffled by the fact that foreigners don’t seem to know exactly how everything works."

But the instructions are written in English, for Pete’s sake! It’s like these foreigners have a different word for everything. With apologies to Steve Martin.

This illustrates my point precisely.
The instructions of everyday life are NOT written, they are just known. What would an American do trying to order dinner in a typical British pub? Or an Englishman in an American equivalent? The two paradigms are NOT identical and assuming they are will lead to embarrassment and/or confusion and/or some hunger due to the delay in dinner while everything is sorted out. The Brits, however, outside of London, merely assume you know the routine, because everyone knows what is "proper". In the USA, we don't make that assumption, so we make things much more obvious for the neophyte. At a typical "pubbish" place in the USA, if you look uncertain, you will be literally be led by the hand and guided through the routine.

To make matters more confusing in America, once an Englishman figures out that in the USA, you typically do not order food from the bar unless you are actually seated there, he might stumble into a Tex-Mex burrito place where that is exactly what you are supposed to do! But in England there are no such inconsistencies, everyone knows what is Proper. Once you get a handle on Proper, you know how it's going to be.

To make matters more confusing in America, once an Englishman figures out that in the USA, you typically do not order food from the bar unless you are actually seated there, he might stumble into a Tex-Mex burrito place where that is exactly what you are supposed to do! But in England there are no such inconsistencies, everyone knows what is Proper. Once you get a handle on Proper, you know how it's going to be.

Interestingly, Notes from a Small Island (in which American Bill Bryson travels around Britain) opens with a similar story of sitting down at a pub waiting to be served before realising that one has to order from the bar and subsequently being told to sit down at a cafe when trying to order from the counter.

Thanks to reading(and later watching) Sherlock Holmes movies throughout my formative years, whenever I think about the U.K the first thing that springs to mind is Victorian London. The deep back corner of my mind seems to think that if I ever go there, I'll find lots of fog, and horse-drawn carriages, and men in top hats and little girls selling flowers.

An interesting aside, where I grew up, when you said 'England' it was understood that you meant 'the U.K.' much like when you said 'Russia' it was understood that you were talking about 'the U.S.S.R' or when you said 'Mexican' you were talking about anyone who was vaguely Hispanic. Just an odd bit of verbal shorthand that I still retain if I don't think about it.

And you base this on...?

France.

Never met a Ukelele?

Here's their national anthem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeFDFQsoRKU).

1. Firstly the UK stands for United Kingdom but another name is Great Britain and were called Britsh People not Ukelele or whatever

2. Thats not our national anthem its called god save the queen so there :P

anyway i think of london and a great BRITSH (yes britsh) Roast! :)

That is the most English thing that has ever been written on these boards.

:D Excellent

I think of Lionel and Jean and Alistair, and Hyacinth Bucket and Onslow and Daisy. Also toasted cheese, Yorkshire pudding and tea and scones. Actually, I think of way to many things to list, like how my many times great grandfather came from Portsmouth (I think) to Plymouth Colony on the Defence and my statistics professor, Florence Nightingale David, who worked on Enigma during WWII. And Elizabeth I and Henry II, VII, and VIII and all the Richards.

Really, there's a book here.

Three things:

NHS

scotsmen wanting scotland to break away from england (blame the fact that I've only had major conversation with one scot)

This abomination:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8d/LlanfairLARGE.jpg

But we have Rancho Cucamonga and Zzyzx (and maybe some other abominations of language) in the county that I live in, so I can't complain much

1. Firstly the UK stands for United Kingdom but another name is Great Britain and were called Britsh People not Ukelele or whatever

2. Thats not our national anthem its called god save the queen so there :P

anyway i think of london and a great BRITSH (yes britsh) Roast! :)

and here i was thinking irony was supposed to be lost on Americans... hmm.

It does, but then we start complaining about the heat.

You’ll get used to it. :p

It has gotten warmer. I quite like it here. Moved to a "proper" little English inn type from the boring chain hotel type. Got a sea view and all...but having lived in Florida, I am not that impressed by the view.

Did laundry today...it cost me about 8 pounds over all..for a load..would not take more than 5 dollars in most places in the USA. I wonder how much you guys make here...I mean what is considered a middle class income that you can live decently ?

Did laundry today...it cost me about 8 pounds over all..for a load..would not take more than 5 dollars in most places in the USA.
I think it’s fair to say that using the laundromat is a lot more common in the US than here, hence the price hike. Still, the UK isn’t cheap to live in.

I wonder how much you guys make here...I mean what is considered a middle class income that you can live decently ?
Around £25,000–£30,000 p/a (that’s about $50,000–$60,000 p/a).

As you can see here (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=334) it’s pretty unequally spread, and the gap is widening.

Around £25,000–£30,000 p/a (that’s about $50,000–$60,000 p/a).


I don't know. £25000 strikes me as being on the low side.

I don't know. £25000 strikes me as being on the low side.

i'd say more £30 - £35k for "middle class", but that's based on nothing but... well.... nothing, really.

i'd say more £30 - £35k, but that's based on nothing but... well.... nothing, really.

Based on my experiences living in London £25k would never have been enough to support what I would consider a middle class lifestyle.

Based on my experiences living in London £25k would never have been enough to support what I would consider a middle class lifestyle.

yeah... i mean, £25k is pretty good going, and quite a bit above average (and more than i earn :(), but to me not what i'd consider a middle class income.

but then i'd call myself middle class, largely for my education, attitudes and culture, if not for any measure of wealth.

class is confusing, and i'm tired! :mad:

With damn good reason.
Damn right it's a good reason, and let's not forget it again eh?
I think about Buckingham Palace and the London Tower. I think about ghostly castles, Queen Elizabeth I and those soldier hats. So bushy and black.

oh yeah give those posh English folks all the glory.:rolleyes: (jk)

what about the rainy Islands (As in the many smaller Islands around the UK)? What about all those sheep? Or the battles of independence(reference to the wars of independence between the English and Scots, although they fought for a long time after that)? yeah that's right the US wasn't the first place to get sick of the English.
It was the Scots! aye, and look where it's got us. nowhere.
I think Bruce should have thought things out a bit more thoroughly (Bruce being one of the Scottish nobles who was in charge of the Scottish army at the Battle of Bannockburn and won despite being outnumbered and having poorer equipped troops, he used the shiltron to full effect).
Or the gaelic language? (sure it's not very common but there's still a handful of people who still speak it)
and the fish and chip shops, yumm i can taste the greasy fish already (reference to nice food, and it's tasty).

Edit's: for folks who can't understand what the hell i'm babbling about.

oh yeah give those posh English folks all the glory.:rolleyes: (jk)
what about the rainy Islands? what about all those sheep? or the battles of independence? yeah that's right the US wasn't the first place to get sick of the English. It was the Scots! aye, and look where it's got us. nowhere. I think Bruce should have thought things out a bit more thoroughly.
Or the gaelic language? (sure it's not very common but there's still a handful of people who still speak it)
and the fish and chip shops, yumm i can taste the greasy fish already.

ROFL! That´s all I can say for now, MHiJ. Too sick to swim through your logic and answer properly, sweetie.:p

ROFL! That´s all I can say for now, MHiJ. Too sick to swim through your logic and answer properly, sweetie.:p

sick?
:confused:
no proper answer?
:(
I was lookin forward to telling folks how amazing Scotland is.
I can make my post a bit clearer if necessary.

sick?
:confused:
no proper answer?
:(
I was lookin forward to telling folks how amazing Scotland is.
I can make my post a bit clearer if necessary.

Go ahead. I do think Alba´s amazing.;)

Go ahead. I do think Alba´s amazing.;)

oh yeah? which parts?
and if you say all of it i will scream. well in a worded manner, so it's not really a scream more a series of very big words.
at least you didn't call it abba.
EDIT: ahhh my hands are aching. can't post anymore.too.much.pain.damn.guitar hero 3.damn it.to hell.

Ireland.

Ireland.

Éire. I like that name.

yeah... i mean, £25k is pretty good going, and quite a bit above average (and more than i earn :(), but to me not what i'd consider a middle class income.

Actually I belive £25k is roughly the average UK salary.

I don’t know. £25000 strikes me as being on the low side.
It’s what the Office for National Statistics says is the national average. Linky (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=334).

EDIT: To clarify, around £25,000 is the national average household income, not the national average individual salary. 'Household' covers everything from student flats to family houses to retired couples, so I imagine the average salary is somewhat different.

Based on my experiences living in London £25k would never have been enough to support what I would consider a middle class lifestyle.
Aye, but London prices are mental. House prices, salaries, living expenses, etc., are all way above the national average.

It’s what the Office for National Statistics says is the national average. Linky (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=334).

EDIT: To clarify, around £25,000 is the national average household income, not the national average individual salary. 'Household' covers everything from student flats to family houses to retired couples, so I imagine the average salary is somewhat different.


I did a quick google search and found an '06 Daily Mail article which said: "Average earnings across all jobs were £28,210 in 2005, according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics."


Aye, but London prices are mental. House prices, salaries, living expenses, etc., are all way above the national average.

True

It’s what the Office for National Statistics says is the national average. Linky (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=334).

I don't know why, but I love the way their ASP page is called 'nugget'.

Also, awesome news of the day: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/7360871.stm

Love the judges comments, and the whole affair is just amusing.

I did a quick google search and found an ‘06 Daily Mail article which said: “Average earnings across all jobs were £28,210 in 2005, according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics.”
That figures. There’ll be many households that won’t have someone living there who earns a salary.

True
It really is crazy. The amount I pay monthly for rent in Glasgow, my London-based mate pays in a week.

It really is crazy. The amount I pay monthly for rent in Glasgow, my London-based mate pays in a week.

To be honest the whole of the UK is too expensive. Part of it is petrol costs but I think one of the most important aspects is the price of property (not just because people have to spend too much on property but because this has a knock on effect that drives up the cost of shopping etc), there is little incentive for the government to build new homes (or allow them to be built) that would help drive prices down because the politically popular move is to make the value of peoples homes go up. It's the worst of both worlds - the downsides of both individualism and government interference in one nasty little package.

Amongst all the other expats I know, the cost of living is the single biggest push factor from the UK by some distance.

I did a quick google search and found an '06 Daily Mail article which said: "Average earnings across all jobs were £28,210 in 2005, according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics."


wow, i thought the average was around £18k... i'm pretty sure it was when i started studying economics (almost 10 years ago >.>)

Reading F.C. - please don't get the drop.
Girls with bad teeth.
Keeley Hazell.
Bad rappers.
Dodgy kebabs.
Constant soul-crushing rain.

I mostly just think of the UK as sort of a "Big Brother" to us in the US...although we live in separate Households Historically we are of the Same Decent and share Common Interests...

I thought of moving there once, but im not entirely sure id be able to find employment/housing...

and here i was thinking irony was supposed to be lost on Americans... hmm.
Just because im loopy and britsh :p

I mostly just think of the UK as sort of a "Big Brother" to us in the US...although we live in separate Households Historically we are of the Same Decent and share Common Interests...

I thought of moving there once, but im not entirely sure id be able to find employment/housing...

It depends how hard you look and if you know what you're after, housing is a bit of a problem in the UK (as in they cost quite alot of money, except for a select few), employment can also be tricky to find i'm dreading going into the working world.

It depends how hard you look and if you know what you're after, housing is a bit of a problem in the UK (as in they cost quite alot of money, except for a select few), employment can also be tricky to find i'm dreading going into the working world.

Naaa its easy to find a job.

Naaa its easy to find a job.

That depends on what kind of job you're looking for.

I don't know. £25000 strikes me as being on the low side.

I'd say, for a family, a household income of £50,000 is closer to the mark. But, then, the South East, upon which I base this, is ludicrously expensive.

I still maintain class is a cultural quality rather than financial; many people are far more wealthy than quintissentially "middle class" households and individuals, but undeniably working class. There seem to be a profusion of them at university, and they seem invariably to be Mancunian or Scouse.

wow, i thought the average was around £18k... i'm pretty sure it was when i started studying economics (almost 10 years ago >.>)

I thought it was £32,000. But then, having never taken an economics lesson in my life, and given that I mentally disengage when economics is on the news,I'm hardly likely to know.

I thought it was £32,000. But then, having never taken an economics lesson in my life, and given that I mentally disengage when economics is on the news,I'm hardly likely to know.

It seems to me that the average wage in this country is around the 20-22k mark. But that's that my subjective estimate.

It seems to me that the average wage in this country is around the 20-22k mark. But that's that my subjective estimate.

I'd put it lower, but as you say it's subjective. i mean if you take off tax, insurence etc it goes steadily downward.

I'd put it lower, but as you say it's subjective. i mean if you take off tax, insurence etc it goes steadily downward.

Yeah its based on me avarageing out teh salirys of those I know.

I wonder how that measure these avarges anyway? I mean I would say that the majority of workers are not in management positions, so I would expect that any avarging to take this into account.

Yeah its based on me avarageing out teh salirys of those I know.

I wonder how that measure these avarges anyway? I mean I would say that the majority of workers are not in management positions, so I would expect that any avarging to take this into account.

well it also depends on how much they get paid in their management position, i know some folks who get very little for their small business they own.
There's some average workers who could be paid more than other types e.g. refuse collectors get paid more than some doctors i believe.

I imagine it must be very difficult to work out exactly.i'm sure it's something to do with GDP.

wow, i thought the average was around £18k...

I thought it was £32,000.

It seems to me that the average wage in this country is around the 20-22k mark.

I’d put it lower,

Again from the Office of National Statistics, in 2002 the UK’s average national wage, calculated as a mean of overall salary data, was £23,607. (Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2040306.stm).)

A more recent survey (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=285) suggests that the average weekly wage is £457, which translates to £23,764 p/a.

Again from the Office of National Statistics, in 2002 the UK’s average national wage, calculated as a mean of overall salary data, was £23,607. (Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2040306.stm).)

A more recent survey (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=285) suggests that the average weekly wage is £457, which translates to £23,764 p/a.

Aye, but don't many get annoyed that it is being "pulled" up by the exceptionally high earners to the point of not being particuarly useful?

Aye, but don’t many get annoyed that it is being “pulled” up by the exceptionally high earners to the point of not being particuarly useful?
Oh, certainly.

The rich-poor divide is growing wider and wider, while woman’s wages are still consistently lower than men’s.

Just because im loopy and britsh :p

well that's alright then, me too! :cool:

Oh, certainly.

The rich-poor divide is growing wider and wider, while woman’s wages are still consistently lower than men’s.

The dichotomy between rich and poor is disturbing; especially given that a fiscal rate of 50% is not imposed upon earners above say, £200,000, whilst the 40% rate has remained at the same level despite a rise in income.

Well you guys did at one time have the only truely global empire. Nothing like it before that and nothing like it after.

Well you guys did at one time have the only truely global empire. Nothing like it before that and nothing like it after.

don't forget the tea trade. tea is always good. unless you're allergic to it, or don't like it's taste.
So on the whole it's good, with people who don't like it they can have some water instead.

tea is always good. unless you’re allergic to it, or don’t like it’s taste.
Does... not... compute...

:p

Does... not... compute...

:p

hoho look what i found.
fight allergies. tea? (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/09/020919071413.htm)

I'm not sure I can characterise Britain (or England) in simple terms, it just wouldn't be proper.