How would you feel if you had to live in the U.K?

[Magicsilence]

I’m baffled. What is a “chav”? The context doesn’t seem to indicate to me that they are the same as American “jocks”. True Jocks are athletes, and tend to be pretty straight folks. “Chavs” seem to be different…perhaps something more like “thugs” or “gangbangers” in “American”.

See the picture in my first post. They are basically people who have no respect for anyone, dress in a certain fashion, usually smoke, have imitation jewelry and clothes, and talk with an accent that murders the English language. In addition they tend to be violent, hang out in the streets, and go to pubs / clubs.

I don’t even know if you have people like that en masse in America?

 

[Magicsilence]

I have known Brits over here, and their assessment of both the UK and the US varies. I have never lived in England, but I pay a lot of attention it. “Roots” and all, I guess.

Strikes me as being overwhelmingly charming around the edges. But interestingly, that “ruffian” way that enabled Britain to rule half the world once, seems never all that far below the surface.

I fear I’m profoundly provincial. I live in the middle of the U.S., surrounded by an immense (by UK standards) swath of relatively culturally and economically homogenous territory that could be a nation all its own, if it came to that. Guess that makes me feel more secure than I would feel in a place where every planeload seemed to bring in more avowed enemies of my culture and my religion, and where stark divisions between rich and poor seem accepted as the natural order of things. That whole picture would make me very nerous indeed.

But I’ll admit that Brits can be the most charming of all the world’s people. No question about that. And the landscape is superb. Of course, the Brits have had a long time to work on that.

Too true, the polite brits are the ones that get media attention, and become lawyers and accountants. A significant majority of the population is like a behemoth of an army that is subdued only by their regular fix of Saturday soccer, and beer.

 

[Magicsilence]

I am a convert to the Catholic faith(officially an enquirer until next easter-- I meet with a priest once a week for one to one sessions…)

Catholics here are not as involved as Pentecostals/Charismatic Anglicans here but thats probably true elsewhere, there are clubs for the 18 to35’s (I’m 37) bible reading groups and various groups that meet here, I am here for God not for the social side.

The 16th century did so much damage to the catholic faith and its rich traditions here in this country, to walk around Gloucester cathedral and see the stripped, bare destruction in what should have been a great catholic cathedral…very sad. My kids go to school in a village where there once was the benedictine Winchcombe abbey…destroyed, gone.

South London can be a rough place… I did my motorcycle CBT in Wimbledon when I was a teenager, we eastenders don’t go there very much… wrong side of the river…

South London can be, especially in places like Brixton!

And, the 16th Century was pretty much a nail in the coffin for faith in this country

 

[luvlife]

So, what was your overall impression of the people over here? Could you have got married to a Brit? Love / hate the various accents?

I really like British people. LOVE the accents!!! Plus I love how polite they are. Even the swear words don’t sound so bad… bloody hell. That’s not so bad, is it?

When I was there, one thing that bugged me was that everyone smoked - or so it seemed.

Loved meat pies… and tea.

Yep, only good things to say about my neighbors across the pond.

 

[Ridgerunner]

See the picture in my first post. They are basically people who have no respect for anyone, dress in a certain fashion, usually smoke, have imitation jewelry and clothes, and talk with an accent that murders the English language. In addition they tend to be violent, hang out in the streets, and go to pubs / clubs.

I don’t even know if you have people like that en masse in America?

At first I thought maybe your chavs were equivalent to our gangbangers, but your picture and description seems to make them seem more like our “skanks”; a mildly offensive, semi-antisocial but mainly harmless bunch. Your chavs might be a bit worse.

Gangbangers are very serious criminals, and violent beyond belief. No one but a resident would ever think of going into a neighborhood in the US that is dominated by gangbangers. They’re pretty much a phenomen of the worst parts of large cities.

 

[Rita88]

I’m baffled. What is a “chav”? The context doesn’t seem to indicate to me that they are the same as American “jocks”. True Jocks are athletes, and tend to be pretty straight folks. “Chavs” seem to be different…perhaps something more like “thugs” or “gangbangers” in “American”.

oh, well no offence to jocks then, they just seem very clique-ish in all the terrible teen movies… A chav is probably on wikipedia… maybe that’ll help a bit…

 

[BeluvdLily]

My husband is British. He has been in America for seven years now. I have not had the opportunity to visit England yet but hope to soon. I love the British people, the sense of humor, the accent, etc. I’ve always had a fascination with England even before I met hubby. We hope to spend some time living in England at some point.

Hubby loves my Southern accent (which he likes to call hillbilly!) and of course I love his British accent.

As for the Catholic thing, I’m sure we can find a good Catholic church there and become part of that community. We are definitely interested in small town living and nothing to do with big cities. Hubby is from not so good area so we will probably look for another area. Still, I’m really looking forward to the British people and the history and all of the wonderful old places to visit. I’ve always found British history much more interesting than American.

I’m only concerned about the food. I’m already a picky eater but I do love fish so it will probably be fish and chips for me, an occasional pizza and some Chinese takeaway! lol.

Oh yes, I love actual British tea (Tetley and PG Tips - different from American tea, even American Tetley) complete with milk and sugar. And digestives! I’ve also learned to make a great Yorkshire pudding and Toad in the Hole!

Amie

 

[Kaninchen]

Where did you start off from?!?

Half across the world away!

Also, I’m curious what kind of things were off putting or annoying, and how you overcame them?

Oh a lot of petty things, looking back - from the bureaucracy to the way Americans drive (endlessly thinking: “Get On With It!”), from what seems, until you’re used to it, overenthusiastic friendliness to the way nobody ever seemed to walk anywhere, from the ubiquitous overt patriotism to the, equally ubiquitous, religiosity (I’d only been in the country a week when the young woman who was doing my nails launched into how she’d found Jesus - I mean, I’m reasonably religiously observant but give me a break). Oh - and advertising - the ‘hard sell’, Oh - and ‘big hair’ . . . and the obsession with guns . . . and the fact that visiting Americans meant, when it came to mealtime, having to face portions that would frighten an elephant. I expect, also, that there was a difference in our case in that, unlike most people who move to America, we’d no intention of settling so didn’t feel the need to ‘become American’ or adopt, beyond politeness, American ways.

I almost forgot . . . the untidiness! All the wires everywhere and the countryside looks less manicured.

Acculturation takes time whenever you move anywhere, even within countries.

 

[Maxply]

. . . just not my cup of tea!

 

[Rita88]

My husband is British. He has been in America for seven years now. I have not had the opportunity to visit England yet but hope to soon. I love the British people, the sense of humor, the accent, etc. I’ve always had a fascination with England even before I met hubby. We hope to spend some time living in England at some point.

Hubby loves my Southern accent (which he likes to call hillbilly!) and of course I love his British accent.

As for the Catholic thing, I’m sure we can find a good Catholic church there and become part of that community. We are definitely interested in small town living and nothing to do with big cities. Hubby is from not so good area so we will probably look for another area. Still, I’m really looking forward to the British people and the history and all of the wonderful old places to visit. I’ve always found British history much more interesting than American.

I’m only concerned about the food. I’m already a picky eater but I do love fish so it will probably be fish and chips for me, an occasional pizza and some Chinese takeaway! lol.

Oh yes, I love actual British tea (Tetley and PG Tips - different from American tea, even American Tetley) complete with milk and sugar. And digestives! I’ve also learned to make a great Yorkshire pudding and Toad in the Hole!

Amie

Personally, I think British food is the best. We have fantastic meat, beautiful home grown veg, and fantastic recipes… scones, crumble, cakes, jams, stew, just pick up farmhouse cook books… they are fab.

The fish is great here. Especially Kipper…

And Tea… Twinings is beautiful too…

Where about is your husband from?

 

[BeluvdLily]

Yeah, I have heard people say how the meat and vegetables are better there, etc. Mainly my husband and Paula Deen! I am open to it. I just know I’m so funny about what I like that it could be a problem. On the other hand, I may find lots of things I like. I love the idea of the farmhouse cookbook. Yummy. I think Cornish pasties look amazing!

The one thing I can’t quite get in my head having never tried it is the appeal of the chip buddy (sp?). However, everyone swears they are to die for.

Hubby is from Retford in Nottinghamshire. He is the one that tells me it’s not a good area. I personally have no idea having never been there.

I really think I would like the way of life in rural England at least. Sounds much less rushed and stressful than American living. I do plan to do my best to fit in and not get a reputation as “one of those Americans”. DH knew a few Americans that went over and were unhappy because they didn’t have Walmart, Koolaid, etc. and just kind of put down the British ways . I don’t see the point of trying to live an American life in a foreign country. I want to live like the locals! lol.

Since I’ve never been out of the country or away from home for any long period of time, I do worry about being homesick, etc. but I won’t know until I try it! I think I’ll be so thrilled to finally get to England I’ll be too busy to think of it much. I want to see every castle, stately home and other attraction I can possibly get to!

Amie

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hmmmmm. I don’t know that a few haven’t gone off the high side just a bit here.

In America, there is local cooking and there is ethnic cooking. There is no such thing as “American cooking.” In any event, if one has an ethnic German wife, as I do, one does not concede superiority in cooking even to the French! None of the world’s people has ever excelled sachertorte mit schlag, and none but the Germans is ever likely to do so!

I have had steak and kidney pie once. Kippers once. Plum pudding once. That roasted tomato business for breakfast once. The memories will do for the future.

I will readily agree that much (perhaps most) of England’s countryside is better manicured than America’s. But you have had a lot of centuries to get it done and, compared to England, America is grossly underpopulated. Hard for one family to manicure 500 acres in Missouri or 5,000 acres in Texas. I have long thought America needs more people.

 

[Catholic90]

But you have had a lot of centuries to get it done and, compared to England, America is grossly underpopulated. Hard for one family to manicure 500 acres in Missouri or 5,000 acres in Texas.** I have long thought America needs more people**.

NO!!! In not quite 20 years our quiet suburban town has doubled in size from 30,000 to 60,000. When we built, our view was of open fields and woods. Now our view is of multiple family housing, including townhomes and low income apartment buildings (and the troubles that come with it). We bought here for a purpose! We don’t have that now. We do NOT need more people! (from someone who likes a bit of open space and privacy and does not like to be jumbled on top of others’ living space).

 

[KCtheMommy]

I lived in England when I was younger and loved it. I have tried to get my family stationed there, but not happening as we have too many children for the Navy to move us.

 

[Catholic90]

The countryside can be stunningly beautiful when it is not raining But the history? I always thought American history was much more interesting

But English history is so much older! I loved the castles and palaces - so beautiful! And Bath…and…Stonehenge!

I loved Stonehenge and find it fascinating! The last time I was there, our tour guide provided us with copper divining rods to hold in our hands as we walked around it. My entire family did it, and my entire family had the same experience with the rods moving at the exact same place. It was really weird and fascinating.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Kaninchen…they haven’t told us whats wrong yet

Back to the topic: I love living in the UK, yeah we have chavs, yeah we have feral teenagers running wild, binge drinking problems, growing gang violence, blah blah blah but honestly I can’t see myself living anywhere else long term.

Unless the BNP or something get in, then I guess it would be time to up sticks and go home to Ireland.

 

[Kaninchen]

Kaninchen…they haven’t told us whats wrong yet

And they still haven’t discovered ‘Yorkshire Tea’, poor things.

Back to the topic: I love living in the UK, yeah we have chavs, yeah we have feral teenagers running wild, binge drinking problems, growing gang violence, blah blah blah but honestly I can’t see myself living anywhere else long term.

Well, in the end I came to like America a lot, not to live in forever, even though we made a lot of friends and have a lot of family there. As to living in the UK, if it were not for the “bel paese la, dove’l si suona” as Dante put it, I’d agree with you (I suffer chronically from a love of Italy).

 

[SeekerJen]

Alot of my relatives live in England & Wales. I’ve spent time visiting them - they’ve been here to see me. What drives me nuts about them and I can only assume it’s the British “way” is that they are forever putting a positive cheerful spin on everything.

Me: So my husband lost his job yesterday.

Cousin: Awww, that’s a shame now isn’t it… but he’ll find another job, clever young man that he is now?

Me: Yes, but we’re flat out broke and will probably have to live in our car.

Cousin: Awww, what a pity… but you do have a lovely car now don’t you?

Me: Yes, but it actually has no gas.

Cousin: Well that sounds like an adventure and look at the lovely view from your front seat?

Me: I actually think they are going to tow it.

Cousin: Well nevermind then… it wasn’t a very pretty color car besides, was it now? And think of all the exercise you’ll soon be getting… "

etc. etc.

My advisor is Welsh, and it’s funny that you mention this, because he is a rather optimistic person when it comes to things that have the Americans in the lab ready to quit. “Oh, you’ve spent three years breeding and studying these mice and all the data are negative? Not to worry, we’ll breed them with these other experimental mice and I’m sure you’ll have something.” “Ah, our last federal research grant didn’t get funded. Not to worry, I’m submitting a new proposal that’s even better than the last one. I’m sure it will be funded.” All delivered in a soothing baritone voice with a rather posh accent.

It’s a great trait for a grad advisor, but would be annoying in one’s personal life, for sure.

Topic: I’d love to visit. It might even be fun to live there for a few years and do a post-doctoral fellowship (I’m sure DH would be up for it). I don’t think I’d want to stay permanently, although once I got there I might change my mind.

 

[anna30]

I moved to the UK 3 years ago. My husband and son joined me a couple months later. We don’t complain. It’s OK. The weather is a bit annoying sometimes especially when you plan a trip or want to go for a walk I’ll never get used to it…
There are some beautiful places in Britain. I love Scotland I wish I lived there.
The good thing about British people is that no one bothers you. They are polite but when they find out you are foreign (eg because of your accent) don’t expect them to be friendly towards you. I don’t mind actually as I don’t have time for a social life anyway.
Living far away from my country, friends and the rest of the family, helped us to be more self - dependant. We can rely on ourselves only. It’s like living on an uninhabited island but it’s not that bad - you can survive

 

[Teakafrog]

I’d love it. Then I could watch the new Doctor Who episodes when they come out instead of having to wait and download them.
Seriously, my hubby is half English, and I have some Scottish in me. I think it would be a great adventure, except for the whole lack of God thing. That’s here too, but I’ve heard that the UK is even more secular than the US, and of course what churches are there are Anglican, not Catholic. And the fact that the whole country is being taken over by Muslims.