Image of UK

[ryuurui]

Love the dry sense of humour and raw brutal honesty of the people, especially up north. Do not like the mindless violence on streets, as well as inverted snobism of all those midle-class yobbos, and self-inflated pseudo-aristocratic stiffness of many.

Although something tells me it will spark a flame war here, I am going to say it anyway - last time i was in London I was stcuk hard by the numbers of Muslims in the city. Even though I have few muslim friends, this religion freaks me out more than stupidity in Japan. There were not that many of them 20 years ago, which is when I was there for the first time.

Also, atfer living 10 years i Japan, the dirt on streets in London is really standing out. The whole place seems a bit chaotic.

Country side is lovely, but then again the weather sucks. So, all in all, UK is not for me.

[RobinMask]

Originally Posted by ryuurui

Also, atfer living 10 years i Japan, the dirt on streets in London is really standing out. The whole place seems a bit chaotic.

Totally have to ask, but where in London did you go? I went for the first time the other month - all the tourist areas, I admit - but was struck by how spotless it was and how clean. It really amazed me, no chewing gum covering the floor like dalmation spots, no paper bags floating around in the wind . . . or is it just that we have different bases of comparrison? Like is the rest of the UK so dirty I thought it was clean, or Japan (other countries) so clean that other nationalities assume it's dirty?

[ryuurui]

Well i was mainly around the centre, hotel Savoy and Chancery Lane area.
Possibly it is the matter of different point of reference. It never cease to amaze me how clean Tokyo is. There are no trash cans here, man, only near convenience stores and some vending machines, and NO ONE is littering, well, unless they're drunk. The only filthy place in Tokyo is Roppongi, and that is because foreginers make a mess there every night.

Switzerland is, i think, the only country comparable to Japan. Even Germany does not stand a chance. I must say, I love that cleanliness here.

[tokusatsufan]

LOL! That is pretty much it! Anywhere else,there is quite a bit of litter.

EDIT:I'll be honest I don't know how to delete this.

[tokusatsufan]

I wonder why we bother getting the last bit out of marmite jars looking at Americans.

[RickOShay]

Originally Posted by dogsbody70

I wonder what members think about the UK? As we have many immigrants or would be immigrants what is the attraction of the UK.


My japanese friend loves this country and would dearly love to remain here permanently. it is unlikely that she will get permission to remain here but she adores our countryside and much of our historical features. She also has made many British friends who have been very good to her.

yet she studies (English) constantly and has very little time off.

She does not wish to return to Japan.

dare I ask what others imagine it is like in UK?

I have never been but my mom has a distance cousin there that her and my dad went to visit like a year ago. Their stories did not add too much about what I already had guessed.

I guess I just picture lots of "European" style buildings in older areas, and more "modern buildings" in city centers, lots of neighborhoods with narrow streets, but unlike Japan, having a lot more open country space. Rainy weather, fairly mild winters compared with other places, a wealth of pubs and soccer hooligans, a good music scene, varying accents some of which I probably cannot understand.. thats all I can think of for right now.

[JasonTakeshi]

Originally Posted by RobinMask

I'm English, so I can't really give the view you ask for, lol.

I can say from my friends - some of which are immigrants themselves - that they seemed to have a rather picturesque view of the UK. You say 'UK' and England always seems to be the first thing that comes to mind, as if it's the only thing in the UK. I know that their preconceptions didn't match the reality . . . their main complaints are that the country is far too dirty and the houses way too small, but - with that said - they love it here. They became citizins last year and work harder than any English person I know.

I think the main attraction was the idea of 'freedom'. It's a culture alike theirs in that it's very structured, well-mannered, and this whole stereotype of everyone being 'by Jove, golly gosh' and all that . . . but it's easier to progress in this society. It's easier to get jobs, get an education, make money. They came here expecting a better way of life, less constraints, and although they love visiting their home-country they say they'll never go back to live. Oddly enough they tried living in Holland . . . hated it. I do wonder what's so wrong with Holland, but no one ever tells me XD

My cousin is living there (been 17 years) and she said that it was really hard for her to integrate. She lives in Zaandam. I was there for 3 weeks and could feel the smell of racism in the air.

"We don't want you here."

[dogsbody70]

one cannot judge the uk on a visit to tourist area of london.

it is a real mixture. where i live not far from the south east coast, the countryside is glorious. brighton is just an hour by train from london--extremely popular-----------shingle beach-- night clubs--- shops. many foreign students study there----------in the season its hard for locals to catch a bus---------because the students crowd them.

i lived in london at various times. really the suburbs are like separate towns.

it is doubtful that tourists would see the outskirts. too many people-----too many cars and we have to adjust to the immigrants. the present govt. is cutting many facilities because of our debts----------

it is very expensive to live here--especially in london.

london has many parks such as richmond or wimbledon common. hampstead heath, there are many open spaces in london--and usually many events. the south bank--with its music facilities. i would say--that whatever your interests--you would find facilities for them.

Wales and ireland plus scotland have wonderful features--architecture--countryside, much of historical interest.

we are a small country but we have variety. if places are dirty--its because of lazy people who drop their litter anywhere.

our different counties have their own charms. countryside mixed with housing.

i love my country but not the behavior of some people who have no respect for what is around them.

the 24 hour drinking rules and numerous bars is encouraging binge drinking. i would stay away from those and that behaviour. it costs the police and nhs a lot of money.
a lot depends where one lives. high rise flats often over crowded, too many immigrants---------we do not have housing enough for many born here--yet alone housing large immigrant families.rents and mortgages are really expensive.

basically in some areas we are really over crowded--yet expected to assimilate ever growing number of immigrants.

i am really fortunate where i live. sea and countryside just a short distance.


Sussex-Image


Pictures of Seven Sisters Country Park


images of city of bath - Google Search

[Ghap]

Lol

Zaandam! Isnt that next door to shangi-la and just round the corner from Nirvana?

Shock/horror

None are perfect...no more vs


maybe grow up

[RealJames]

Originally Posted by JasonTakeshi

My cousin is living there (been 17 years) and she said that it was really hard for her to integrate. She lives in Zaandam. I was there for 3 weeks and could feel the smell of racism in the air.

"We don't want you here."

It's really sad there are still places like this in the world...

(+1 for Canada!)