Do You Have Anything Nice To Say?

[Hollie Rose]

I might read that book. I'm from England and I'd still like to read it :P

[anya]

Originally Posted by iseult72

If you get a chance, read this book - Watching the English: the hidden rules of English behaviour; Kate Fox - it has made me feel much more comfortable around the English - I wish I had read it 15 years ago!

We can grumble about weather, lack of culture outside London, the expense, but try to learn about the area you are in and make the most of a new experience.

I second this absolutely. Fantastic book. And your advice is spot-on.

[DavidO]

British grumbling about their own country is a national passtime and especially prevalent among expats (they have to justify leaving, after all!).

But as someone so rightly pointed out, this is common among all expat groups. I've known groups of American expats who like nothing more than tearing down the old country and raving about how wonderful life is in the new one.

I have a history with Britain going back to 1972 and I still love it, warts and all. To be sure, there's lots of things wrong with it but most of these problems are also found in the U.S., often in even worse forms.

Regardless of the merits and faults of a new country I really think you need to have a certain personality to be a voluntary expat. A friend and I in California grew up in the same town and in very similar circumstances. I left at 18 with only temporary returns and he's never left California (unless you call going gambling in Reno travelling!).

I've lived as an expat in 3 countries and it was always an adventure that I've never regretted. You have to be open to make it work.

Some of the good things about England (from the eyes of an expat):

1. The most beautiful countryside and coastline in the world. I never grow tired of it. People rave about awesome American landscapes but that's just the problem... they're so awesome that they're somehow inaccessible in a real human way. The English countryside can become very close and personal.

2. English food (no I'm not joking!). Yes, it used to be pretty awful. I remember how baffled and amused I was with a "hamburger" in an outdoor market in Scotland... a rubbery slab of preformed "meat" boiled in water and stuffed in a cold bread roll.

But how it's changed. Indian and other Asian food has always been top-notch but now traditional British food has made a come back. It's simply fantastic. And British supermarkets are by far the world's best (despite their profiteering). The variety and quality of food in British supermarkets make the Yanks look like paupers.

I remember my last visit to California... even in affluent San Diego there was no cheese, no yogurt and no ready-meals to speak of... all rubbish. I remember a customer in Trader Joe's telling a friend "look at all these wonderful cheeses!" - Whoopee, they had Monterey Jack and a small selection of Bries.

So be prepared for a lot of new taste sensations and a variety that is downright overwhelming at times.

3. History on display everywhere. Some Brits can be complacent or even disrespectful of their history but as an American (moreso as a Californian) where almost nothing is more than 100 years old it's incredible. To be fair, most Brits do love their history and show extraordinary (sometimes over the top) protection of it.

4. Eccentricity. It still survives. We all know about eccentric individuals but I think even the culture itself is eccentric. There seems to be a constant tension between pettiness and over-regulation and astonishing loopholes that can still exist in a modern, technological society.

Somebody said that the British as a race are clinically insane. That's an exaggeration but I can see the point.

I could go on and on but this is already a long post. One word of warning: it's true that it can be difficult to make friends in Britain. They're not unfriendly but you just don't often find that "stay over and sleep on my sofa" kind of thing that's so common in the U.S.

It's easier for kids and young people but I find it gets more difficult the older you get. People get settled with families and a small inner circle and they just don't open easily to newcomers.

Working is a good way to meet people and socialize. If you don't work you really need to get involved in the community, hobbies or recreations clubs.

So it can be hard but if it clicks for you it will enrich your life forever.

[loulou.]

We relocated to Devon six months ago after 16 years in Australia, and we could not be happier with our decision.
Here are a few reasons why we love this country:
- The sense of humor of its people and their acute sense of the absurd
- The kindness of its people.
- The beauty of the country side
- History and culture at every corner
- The weather - I'm not joking. Here in Devon it's sunny most days
- Space! In Melbourne we used to live in a two bed house and for the same price here we live in a five bedroom Victorian terrace.
- No more long commuting
- The rest of Europe at our doorstep

[Maltoo]

Originally Posted by NorthernLass

Gosh..terrible about your friend !

Mindless violence is quite rare in the UK and compared to the USA, I think you will feel much safer.

In all the time I lived in the UK...I never experienced any crime myself (I lived near Liverpool and later in London!!) or know anyone to experience crime except for my husband who had his home broken into when he was about 12. That´s it.

You hear in the news and sad awful things happen. As long as you are streetwise and live in an OK area you´ll be fine.

Great thread!

But NorthernLass you can not compare Apples to Oranges. Have you ever lived in the US, I have never felt unsafe anywhere and I have traveled to most of the 50 states. The UK is 244,820 square km in area and would fit in the State of Oregon so yes mindless violence would be less considering it is 1/50th the size of the USA.

[mommymovingabroad]

Originally Posted by Johanna

Do You Have Anything Nice To Say?


In the SA threads a similar situation developed, start a new thread with another topic .... but the OP wanted something positive, if I understood correctly.

Thanks!!!

[Green78]

Originally Posted by loulou.

We relocated to Devon six months ago after 16 years in Australia, and we could not be happier with our decision.
Here are a few reasons why we love this country:
- The sense of humor of its people and their acute sense of the absurd
- The kindness of its people.
- The beauty of the country side
- History and culture at every corner
- The weather - I'm not joking. Here in Devon it's sunny most days
- Space! In Melbourne we used to live in a two bed house and for the same price here we live in a five bedroom Victorian terrace.
- No more long commuting
- The rest of Europe at our doorstep

That's funny, most people going to UK complain about small houses, particularly I imagined Australian homes to be huge; probably another stereotype to delete from my head

Regarding to the friendliness of the British people, I have to say that I completely agree with you; I've been there just for some weeks but I have been really impressed by this side of their personality

Matt