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

[MommyJJ]

I live in the UK and at times I am embarrased to be - the chavs, the violence, the desire to drink until collapse, the lack of religion, the demolition of the institute of marriage, the liberal politics - Gay Marriage, Abortion, etc, the amount of teen pregnancies etc etc etc!!!

I was in the local hospitals gynae clinic a few weeks ago and they had boards relating to STD’s on the wall over 7000 diagnosed in 3 months - it made me feel sick particularly as on the table infront of the board were bowls of condoms.

The fact that the UK is going to pot makes me sad but maybe its not just here!

Im lucky enough to have money but when you look around the city centres and see how others live it could make you cry - in my eldest daughters Year 11 class (ages 15-16) there were 4 girls pregnant and now that she is in college that number has risen to 10 and this school is Catholic!!!

The world is changing - but I wish it wouldn’t!

 

[ora_pro_nobis]

Hi all,
London born and bred here! If I had to live anywhere else, it would have to be a city. I’ve lived in different parts of London, currently Bermondsey and go to church in Central London, where there is still a “community” feeling even though it’s not far from the West End.
I love the changing vibrant tone of London - our church has many different ethnic groups and I’ve made a lot of friends there.
Every week my Mum and I go to an art gallery or museum and there’s always something new to see. Provided you are street wise there are no real “off limits” areas. Whenever I see tourists struggling with bus maps or looking lost I offer to help!
The UK is a land of contrasts, but so is everywhere else!

 

[The_Wife]

I’m not really sure if this kind of a thread would be apt in this forum, but I’m not sure where else it would go , sooo…

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

Do you think your family would be able to cope with such a move? Would you find the prospect exciting or depressing?

What do you know about the U.K? And the people?

For example, some areas of this country make me really happy (like where I live, and the view from my window, and my university campus)

My window 5 minutes ago:

View attachment 2875

But some things make me really depressed, like the ‘slums’ and people who butcher the English language:

View attachment 2876

In addition, the English culture is basically ‘beer, soccer, fish and chips, technology but no God’, and I much prefer a soft American accent to the cockney accent that seems to be the staple accent of 95% of people at least around where I live (London).

Do you guys / gals see the U.K like this? Are some things just part of life wherever you live?

Do you think your family would be able to adjust to such a cultural change?

Sorry for rambling a little

I find the prospect a little exciting. I would love to tour the historical sites, museums and the countryside. I think family members would adjust, but you can’t always tell. That is a serious consideration. Several years ago our family moved across the US. Our children adjusted fine, but I didn’t. I would welcome British accents compared to the accents in some parts of the US. It could be a fun to live in the UK for a while.

 

[Magicsilence]

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

It’s a chip butty, but just the thought of them makes even me a little ill

I think many of the areas over here would be classified as ‘not good’ . There seem to be a lot of rough people around.

I also think its so interesting that you would be thrilled to come over here. I guess it shows that it all depends on your vantage point.

 

[Magicsilence]

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.

Oh wow, I’m intrigued! Why would you prefer it over here?

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.

Bath is beautiful, I’ll give you that. But those divining rods are evil!!!

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.

Great post

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

Whereabouts did you move to and from? Any specific reason?

I don’t know why everyone in this country seems to be negative towards Americans though

 

[Magicsilence]

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.

There are many Catholic Churches, but they just don’t get so much use as they used to.

Doctor Who? :ehh:

But look at birthrates, and continuing immigration rates. Won’t be long at the current rate.

So it really is that bad? I thought the US was becoming very secularized, but I guess we’re not as bad as I thought, huh?

I have literally never met someone of faith outside my own Church. Even our local Catholic girls school allows the ‘condom nurse’ in but refuses our pro-life organisation from giving a talk.

What do I think about the UK?

Well, my sister used to live in England and I visited her several times, and saw different parts of the country. England is a well-run country with beautiful cities…but the churches were just so…cold.

England has many beautiful Anglican churches, but it seems like everyone forgot that the churches were built for worship, not just for looking at. The Catholic churches that I visited weren’t much better…Mass attendance was low, and the people there seemed to be bored of the whole thing.

For this reason, I would not want to live in England.

Ugh, this is such an accurate description it is depressing.

Is it really different in America?

I live in the UK and at times I am embarrased to be - the chavs, the violence, the desire to drink until collapse, the lack of religion, the demolition of the institute of marriage, the liberal politics - Gay Marriage, Abortion, etc, the amount of teen pregnancies etc etc etc!!!

I was in the local hospitals gynae clinic a few weeks ago and they had boards relating to STD’s on the wall over 7000 diagnosed in 3 months - it made me feel sick particularly as on the table infront of the board were bowls of condoms.

The fact that the UK is going to pot makes me sad but maybe its not just here!

Im lucky enough to have money but when you look around the city centres and see how others live it could make you cry - in my eldest daughters Year 11 class (ages 15-16) there were 4 girls pregnant and now that she is in college that number has risen to 10 and this school is Catholic!!!

The world is changing - but I wish it wouldn’t!

Ditto on the Catholic school, and all those things you are embarrassed of. I am just not sure if these kind of things are everywhere in the world, or this country is just really horrible to be in.

Hi all,
London born and bred here! If I had to live anywhere else, it would have to be a city. I’ve lived in different parts of London, currently Bermondsey and go to church in Central London, where there is still a “community” feeling even though it’s not far from the West End.
I love the changing vibrant tone of London - our church has many different ethnic groups and I’ve made a lot of friends there.
Every week my Mum and I go to an art gallery or museum and there’s always something new to see. Provided you are street wise there are no real “off limits” areas. Whenever I see tourists struggling with bus maps or looking lost I offer to help!
The UK is a land of contrasts, but so is everywhere else!

Strangely enough, I feel the cities are just cold. People gather for mass, but wouldn’t give you a second look if they saw you needed help. Not your experience?

I find the prospect a little exciting. I would love to tour the historical sites, museums and the countryside. I think family members would adjust, but you can’t always tell. That is a serious consideration. Several years ago our family moved across the US. Our children adjusted fine, but I didn’t. I would welcome British accents compared to the accents in some parts of the US. It could be a fun to live in the UK for a while.

Oooh, I am intrigued by the accents. I always thought Americans looked down on all the British accents, especially those from the lower classes?

 

[The_Wife]

Oooh, I am intrigued by the accents. I always thought Americans looked down on all the British accents, especially those from the lower classes?

Oh No! I think most Americans find a nice British accent quite charming! But the accent can’t be so thick that we don’t understand what the person is saying. I know several people who came from the UK. Their accent softened due to living in the US, and I doubt they were ever “lower class” to start.

This makes me thinking of an old movie called “My Fair Lady”. An English professor takes a lower class woman and transforms her into a lady by teaching her proper enunciation, grammar and manners. Accents often indicate both where the person comes from and the level of education attained. People with heavy accents might face prejudice based on level of education and class. There are “lower class” accents in America too, from various inner cities to hill billies to new imigrants from poorer countries. But prejudice can work both ways. In America a slight British accent spoken with proper grammar sounds well travelled and well educated.

How do people in the UK perceive American accents? Do you distinguish different American accents from different regions and different classes? Do you react differently to Americans with thick or heavy or strong accent (I don’t know what word you Brits would use) compared to those who don’t sound so American to your ears?

 

[ack]

Ugh, this is such an accurate description it is depressing.

Is it really different in America?

There are many cold and lifeless parishes in America, but if you live in an area with several churches around, you’re likely to find a decent parish, with active laity and a priest who is working hard for the spiritual well-being of his flock. I’m not saying that these parishes are perfect, but I like them better than what I saw in the UK.

As a previous poster said, America is much more overtly religious than the US.

In America, there is also a lot of variation by diocese. Some dioceses are full of great parishes. Others are not so good.

Oooh, I am intrigued by the accents. I always thought Americans looked down on all the British accents, especially those from the lower classes?

Americans ENVY people with British accents! A British co-worker once commented to me that being British in America was a little unfair, because none of the women would leave him alone when he went to bars.

 

[The_Wife]

Americans ENVY people with British accents! A British co-worker once commented to me that being British in America was a little unfair, because none of the women would leave him alone when he went to bars.

Yes, the accent is enchanting. But we don’t always speak the same language and British (or American) speakers need to know how the words they choose translate. If that same British man with the delightful accent at an American bar casually spoke about wanting to “knock up” others, most sensible American women would run away quickly.

 

[Rita88]

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.

Do you want our chavs then? I reckon you could build some massive detention centre then and discipline them to an army level, then send them out to manicure your fields. (Don’t send them into battle though… they may just actually manage to hit what they are aiming for.)

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.

Hey, am I that bad? I’m a teenager! (Then again, I don’t drink, swear, and being violent… well I couldn’t even hurt a teddy… but as for gangs I have a guilty confession… I hang around with a hoard of people… we even loiter in old buildings… every sunday, what’s worse… WE’RE ANGLICANS lol.

I wouldn’t much like it if the BNP got in either.

My advisor is Welsh, and it’s funny that you mention this, because he is a rather optimistic person…

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

Lol… and here was me thinking we were a rather negative and depressive country… and it’s usually controlled by the weather. (Ie. when it rains everyone is miserable, and in the sun everyones happy - I think the UK were the reason Seasonal Affective Disorder was diagnosed.)

I love the rain though

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…

I love walking and/or driving in the rain… it’s so fun. Buy some wellies and jump in the puddles… well worth the muddy footprints

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.

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.

Never mind Doctor Who, Casualty rocks! It’s similar to your kind of ER dramas, but so much better!

I think it’s funny when everyone keeps talking about how much of a lack of God there is… in the rural communities there is a lot of faith especially. What’s wrong with Anglican churches (I probably know your reply… it’s 'cos they’re not Catholic.) In seriousness though, we’ve got quite a few Catholic Churches, I’ve sang in a fair few, especially in the North East.

The churches were just so…cold.

England has many beautiful Anglican churches, but it seems like everyone forgot that the churches were built for worship, not just for looking at. The Catholic churches that I visited weren’t much better…Mass attendance was low, and the people there seemed to be bored of the whole thing.

I worship at five different churches! I don’t just look at them. I think (as is very British) they are very reverent, but not cold. In fact when I recently went to visit a new church, I was slightly intimidated by such a warm welcome!!!I couldn’t say much about how cold our Catholic churches maybe, 'cos I’m not Catholic, but I know lot’s of friendly and very faithful Catholics!

I live in the UK and at times I am embarrased to be - the chavs, the violence, the desire to drink until collapse, the lack of religion, the demolition of the institute of marriage, the liberal politics - Gay Marriage, Abortion, etc, the amount of teen pregnancies etc etc etc!!!

I was in the local hospitals gynae clinic a few weeks ago and they had boards relating to STD’s on the wall over 7000 diagnosed in 3 months - it made me feel sick particularly as on the table infront of the board were bowls of condoms.

Im lucky enough to have money but when you look around the city centres and see how others live it could make you cry - in my eldest daughters Year 11 class (ages 15-16) there were 4 girls pregnant and now that she is in college that number has risen to 10 and this school is Catholic!!!

Oooooooh this is where I sound like a baaaad teenage anglican. 'Cos I’ve lost six children (I hate saying lost, it sounds so trivial). And it makes me sound a bit promiscuous, but circumstances aren’t how everyone immediately assumes. I don’t agree with sex outside marriage, BUT it’s surely a blessing that they aren’t aborting those children?Just wondering, if condoms are bad and shouldn’t be used, how can you complain about the rate of STIs and STDs. (Curiosity, not criticism).

How do people in the UK perceive American accents? Do you distinguish different American accents from different regions and different classes? Do you react differently to Americans with thick or heavy or strong accent (I don’t know what word you Brits would use) compared to those who don’t sound so American to your ears?

I think the typical American accent is very harsh, and “vowel-ly” (sorry to make up that word!) It’s like the vowels become over accentuated and everything is said with a wide smiley mouth (by the sound of it). I think us Brits have a much softer tone. Even the Geordies up the road from me! As for me, I’m a monkey-hanger (try google )

 

[LDNCatholic]

Yes, the accent is enchanting.

Which one? Scouser and Brummie accents aren’t particularly charming. Do you mean the upper class Oxford don style accent?

 

[Rita88]

There are many cold and lifeless parishes in America, but if you live in an area with several churches around, you’re likely to find a decent parish, with active laity and a priest who is working hard for the spiritual well-being of his flock. I’m not saying that these parishes are perfect, but I like them better than what I saw in the UK.

As a previous poster said, America is much more overtly religious than the US.

In America, there is also a lot of variation by diocese. Some dioceses are full of great parishes. Others are not so good.

Americans ENVY people with British accents! A British co-worker once commented to me that being British in America was a little unfair, because none of the women would leave him alone when he went to bars.

I go to church in several very active warm, friendly, active and thriving parishes! In the UK… but oh yeah, Anglican.

Yes, the accent is enchanting. But we don’t always speak the same language and if the British (or American) speaker need to know the words translates. If that same British man with the delightful accent at an American bar casually spoke about wanting to “knock up” others, most sensible American women would run away quickly.

I’d hope any one would!

 

[LDNCatholic]

Hey, am I that bad? I’m a teenager! (Then again, I don’t drink, swear, and being violent… well I couldn’t even hurt a teddy… but as for gangs I have a guilty confession… I hang around with a hoard of people… we even loiter in old buildings… every sunday, what’s worse… WE’RE ANGLICANS lol.

I wouldn’t much like it if the BNP got in either.

I was a teenager too, I quit a couple months ago

Besides from the way you talk you don’t strike me as the type of teenager I’m talking about, or the type I deal with.

 

[The_Wife]

Which one? Scouser and Brummie accents aren’t particularly charming. Do you mean the upper class Oxford don style accent?

I know there are different accents, but generally speaking they sound like an English accent. Many Americans can’t tell a British accent from an Australian accent either. I suspect most British accents we hear spoken in America are lessened as the speakers live in America, so you might think those speakers sound American. I heard a comedian on tv in London doing an American accent, but he sounded British to me.

 

[LDNCatholic]

I know there are different accents, but generally speaking they sound like an English accent. Many Americans can’t tell a British accent from an Australian accent either. I suspect most British accents we hear spoken in America are lessened as the speakers live in America, so you might think those speakers sound American. I heard a comedian on tv in London doing an American accent, but he sounded British to me.

Go to Newcastle, tell me if you think they’re speaking English

 

[Magicsilence]

Oh No! I think most Americans find a nice British accent quite charming! But the accent can’t be so thick that we don’t understand what the person is saying. I know several people who came from the UK. Their accent softened due to living in the US, and I doubt they were ever “lower class” to start.

This makes me thinking of an old movie called “My Fair Lady”. An English professor takes a lower class woman and transforms her into a lady by teaching her proper enunciation, grammar and manners. Accents often indicate both where the person comes from and the level of education attained. People with heavy accents might face prejudice based on level of education and class. There are “lower class” accents in America too, from various inner cities to hill billies to new imigrants from poorer countries. But prejudice can work both ways. In America a slight British accent spoken with proper grammar sounds well travelled and well educated.

How do people in the UK perceive American accents? Do you distinguish different American accents from different regions and different classes? Do you react differently to Americans with thick or heavy or strong accent (I don’t know what word you Brits would use) compared to those who don’t sound so American to your ears?

I think Americans tend to be FAR more confident that Brits, and that as a result, any American accent is normally associated with confidence.

BUT! most of my (our) experience with American accents is from different films. Tommy Lee Jones has a great accent (for films), but most of the rest are difficult to differentiate between. Although, I think I know the Texas accent, and the New York accent, and Alabama, and hmmm, maybe California, but they might all be incorrect stereotypes

That film, My Fair Lady, represents everything about British culture. Your life is usually determined by the way you speak. Whereas America is divided into states, Britain is divided into classes, and it all comes from your accent.

And I’m stunned that Americans even give the British accent a second thought! What about the accent of our prime minister, Gordon Brown? Or Tony Blair? I’m intrigued!

 

[Magicsilence]

There are many cold and lifeless parishes in America, but if you live in an area with several churches around, you’re likely to find a decent parish, with active laity and a priest who is working hard for the spiritual well-being of his flock. I’m not saying that these parishes are perfect, but I like them better than what I saw in the UK.

As a previous poster said, America is much more overtly religious than the US.

In America, there is also a lot of variation by diocese. Some dioceses are full of great parishes. Others are not so good.

Americans ENVY people with British accents! A British co-worker once commented to me that being British in America was a little unfair, because none of the women would leave him alone when he went to bars.

Again, wholly stunned! Do you not find Brits to be much more shy, or boring?

 

[Rita88]

I was a teenager too, I quit a couple months ago

Besides from the way you talk you don’t strike me as the type of teenager I’m talking about, or the type I deal with.

I’ll take that as a compliment… I think I’m only a teenager in years. 19 going on 90… that’s me… I’m either baking, cleaning, or sitting in my rocking chair crocheting in my spare time

Go to Newcastle, tell me if you think they’re speaking English

That’s a slim twenty minutes away from where I live… Geordies (ie. those from Newcastle) have better accents than the Southerners.

Again, wholly stunned! Do you not find Brits to be much more shy, or boring?

cries NOooooooooooooo!

And whoever mentioned Tony Blair… he’s from just over the dual carriageway from my village… but his accents just weird… not Northern at all!

 

[Magicsilence]

Yes, the accent is enchanting. But we don’t always speak the same language and British (or American) speakers need to know how the words they choose translate. If that same British man with the delightful accent at an American bar casually spoke about wanting to “knock up” others, most sensible American women would run away quickly.

Enchanting?

My accent is something like 10% American, 90% British, since my best friend in high school spoke with a very soft American accent (don’t know why ).

Over here in the U.K we can’t tell the difference between American and Canadian. Is there one?

 

[LDNCatholic]

Enchanting?

My accent is something like 10% American, 90% British, since my best friend in high school spoke with a very soft American accent (don’t know why ).

Over here in the U.K we can’t tell the difference between American and Canadian. Is there one?

Hey Hey speak for yourself! I can tell the difference…sometimes…

Oh and Rita I like Geordie accents but lets be honest…If your experience of English Accents is limited to Simon Cowell et al. then Newcastle will be a surprise. Anywhere from Birmingham Northwards would throw them.