England

[kevinthenerd]

I have a question, but please respond only if you've been to the United Kingdom yourself. Or, in the spirit of ATOT, you can spew garbage until the server crashes and try to pretend to know the airspeed of an unlaiden swallow (both African and European). I guess it's up to you anyway.

Well, I've been thinking about moving to England. From what I've heard, the attitude of the general public seems different. I like the Eurpoean ideology that I've heard about. What do you think? Is it safer? Are the people smarter than average Americans? Is the public culture less hedonistic? Are the people less selfish?

America's great, but part of what makes it great is also of what I hate about it. The government overspends on the military. Everybody wants to get rich like Bill Gates and trample their fellow man in the process. Nobody wants to pay taxes to support a real education system.

What about the culture shock? If I hate this culture, do I stand a good chance fitting into that one? Will I embarass myself every day for the first several months?

What about jobs? Is Vauxhall doing well enough that it could use an American engineer (master's or Ph.D. in ME from UCF) in a few years? Is it true that all British jobs, from cashiers to CEO's, are salaried?

 

[kevinthenerd]

bump?

 

[sisq0kidd]

your link doesn't work...

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: kevinthenerd
I have a question, but please respond only if you've been to the United Kingdom yourself. Or, in the spirit of ATOT, you can spew garbage until the server crashes and try to pretend to know the airspeed of an unlaiden swallow (both African and European). I guess it's up to you anyway.

Well, I've been thinking about moving to England. From what I've heard, the attitude of the general public seems different. I like the Eurpoean ideology that I've heard about. What do you think? Is it safer? Are the people smarter than average Americans? Is the public culture less hedonistic? Are the people less selfish?

America's great, but part of what makes it great is also of what I hate about it. The government overspends on the military. Everybody wants to get rich like Bill Gates and trample their fellow man in the process. Nobody wants to pay taxes to support a real education system.

What about the culture shock? If I hate this culture, do I stand a good chance fitting into that one? Will I embarass myself every day for the first several months?

What about jobs? Is Vauxhall doing well enough that it could use an American engineer (master's or Ph.D. in ME from UCF) in a few years? Is it true that all British jobs, from cashiers to CEO's, are salaried?

read Bill Bryson...he nails the difference on the head better than anyone else i've ever read...

 

[venk]

London is a city that lives in the glory of its past and doesn't realize that it is no better than any large city in a third world nation.

 

[biostud]

My sister lives close to London and she likes living there. I visited her this easter with my parents. If you just have lots of self-irony and don't try to be a smartass I think you'll fit in well.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: kevinthenerd
I have a question, but please respond only if you've been to the United Kingdom yourself. Or, in the spirit of ATOT, you can spew garbage until the server crashes and try to pretend to know the airspeed of an unlaiden swallow (both African and European). I guess it's up to you anyway.

Well, I've been thinking about moving to England. From what I've heard, the attitude of the general public seems different. I like the Eurpoean ideology that I've heard about. What do you think? Is it safer? Are the people smarter than average Americans? Is the public culture less hedonistic? Are the people less selfish?

America's great, but part of what makes it great is also of what I hate about it. The government overspends on the military. Everybody wants to get rich like Bill Gates and trample their fellow man in the process. Nobody wants to pay taxes to support a real education system.

What about the culture shock? If I hate this culture, do I stand a good chance fitting into that one? Will I embarass myself every day for the first several months?

What about jobs? Is Vauxhall doing well enough that it could use an American engineer (master's or Ph.D. in ME from UCF) in a few years? Is it true that all British jobs, from cashiers to CEO's, are salaried?

I live in the UK, so I'm fairly sure I can answer your questions

The UK, in many ways, is very different to the US (duh ) - I certainly feel safer here, having been to the US and to Canada. No-one carries guns, or at least, they're illegal to carry here. We don't have trailer trash or rednecks, but we do have chavs, which are similar to wiggers crossed with rednecks.

I think that we, as a nation, are less concerned with trampling our fellow man to earn more, more, more! money. We definitely don't have as many uber-greedy, Porsche-driving, sunglass-sporting stock-trading arseholes here. This isn't to say that this is my view of America, far from it- merely that we have a lot less of these types of people.

I would think that you'd fit in fine over here- the main reason that Americans in general have a bad rap outside of the US is the "Rawr! USA! USA!" attitude. Drop that, and you're golden

As for the job situation over here, the companies are smaller, and we definitely don't have salaried jobs across the board. It entirely depends where you work- smaller, shittier jobs will be paid by the hour, but out of the 9-or-so jobs I've had, three have been paid hourly.

Are you an American car engineer? If so, I wouldn't have thought you'd have a problem with Vauxhall- I'm not a huge fan of their cars, but you do see a heck of a lot of them here. If you're "just" a general engineer, then you'd probably find work easily with an engineering firm such as Balfour Beatty (UK's biggest engineering company, they do a large amount of work on the motorways and rail systems).

If you want any more info, just shout and I'll be happy to help. Failing that, Koing, Lonyo and DannyBoy also live in the UK.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: venk
London is a city that lives in the glory of its past and doesn't realize that it is no better than any large city in a third world nation.

America is a country that believes the rest of the world isn't merely tolerating it's presence. Now STFU.

 

[troglodytis]

Originally posted by: Dopefiend

Originally posted by: venk
London is a city that lives in the glory of its past and doesn't realize that it is no better than any large city in a third world nation.

America is a country that believes the rest of the world isn't merely tolerating it's presence. Now STFU.

not all of the world is able to tolerate us.

 

[venk]

Originally posted by: Dopefiend

Originally posted by: venk
London is a city that lives in the glory of its past and doesn't realize that it is no better than any large city in a third world nation.

America is a country that believes the rest of the world isn't merely tolerating it's presence. Now STFU.

I don't say that as an American, I say that as someone who has beent to London and too cities in 3rd World Countries.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: Dopefiend

Originally posted by: venk
London is a city that lives in the glory of its past and doesn't realize that it is no better than any large city in a third world nation.

America is a country that believes the rest of the world isn't merely tolerating it's presence. Now STFU.

I don't say that as an American, I say that as someone who has beent to London and too cities in 3rd World Countries.

I don't like London personally, but comparing it to a third-world city is laughable. GTFO of this thread and go troll somewhere else.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: troglodytis

Originally posted by: Dopefiend

Originally posted by: venk
London is a city that lives in the glory of its past and doesn't realize that it is no better than any large city in a third world nation.

America is a country that believes the rest of the world isn't merely tolerating it's presence. Now STFU.

not all of the world is able to tolerate us.

I'm tolerating us, but then again I live here

The comment about everyone being money hungry here in the US seems to be from the "Yuppie" era about 15 years ago. People still seem to have this attitude in New York and some coastal cities, but the rest of the country is swinging towards a more "get back to basics" way of life. Things like living in the country, spending time with the family, and other family oriented activities are in style now. SUV's are slowly loosing popularity due to record gas prices. I think eco cars like the Prius will show up more and more as other car companies see the demand (the Prius is selling like crazy lately).

The problem with stereotypes is they're usually based on old information and brought about by the actions of a relatively few noticed people. An example as how the US sees people in the UK, we think they're all snobby, have bad teeth, and are porn crazy. I know this is not true at all, but it's just an example of how countries view other countries is usually not very accurate.

 

[Koing]

I live near London (25mins away from Waterloo) and I go to Uni in London. Lived in London for a year and I commute to London and spend a lot of time in London.

The people are cool and you have a lot of a mix of people from everywhere.

I have found the people to be nice and friendly. Of course you get some pr!cks. I had some random guy from a group of Europeans make some funky Chinese/Japanese noises. I was thinking what a f0cking moron.

Koing

 

[brigden]

I'll offer you my perspective: born and raised in the UK, currently living in Canada.

First, it is important you understand that like the US, there are regional cultural differences, but these differences are far more condensed in England. That is to say, life in the south can be vastly different to life in the north. As an outsider, you may not notice these differences immediately, but over time you will come to appreciate them.

Life in England will depend greatly on where you choose to live. As one member suggested, Bill Bryson's "Notes From A Small Island" will best prepare you for the cultural differences. Although written years ago, it still offers a candid view of an American experiencing English life.

As for your specific questions:

Public attitude depends on where you live. Cosmopolitan European life is best experienced in the larger Southern centres, specifically London. However, the UK has taken great strides to separate itself from the continent. They are related, but two separate entities.

Is it safer? I would think statistically yes, and I feel safer in suburban England than I do in suburban America. To compare, London is far safer than New York, but that doesn't mean that you can't get yourself stabbed.

Are Britons more intelligent? Not sure, but they do possess more class. You are less likely to feel like you're surrounded by white trash while in the UK.

The concept of "bigger is better" doesn't really exist in the UK, but people are equally as materialistic. However, the middle class isn't as large as it is in the US.

You will immediately notice that people appear less friendly or out-going. You're less likely to have someone smile at you when passing in the street. That's not rudeness, it's just British reserve. Something Americans lack greatly.

Culture shock would be mild, depending on the person. I took my GF last November and while she found certain things strange (prawn cocktail crisps, Marmite, little cars) she loved it. She wants to go back.

As for jobs, I'm afraid I can't offer you enough advice as I've been out of the UK job market for ten years.

Do yourself a favour, read that book!

Good luck.

P.S. If you don't like football (soccer) now, you will after you get there.

 

[imported_Phil]

^ That's some good info

 

[Krk3561]

It's expensive as hell.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: Krk3561
It's expensive as hell.

Free healthcare.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Krk3561
It's expensive as hell.

From a tourists perspective, yes.

 

[Monkey muppet]

Born and Raised Uk'er here:

I think the Dopefiend, Brigden, Koing have covered nearly everything.

So I'll be mostly reinforced what has been previoulsy mentioned.

Humour is definalty different: It will be mostly Irony, Sarcasm and play on words.

Please don't make me start on the 'Chavs', bunch of alch-pop drinking, agressive, riced up Nova drivers. Don't worry though, you can spot them a mile away because they identify themselves by wearing burbury, checked caps.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i live in the UK and im gettin out ASAP

its not free health care as such, the plethora of taxes you must pay on everything you buy and the government tax on money you earn all goes toward providing the so called free health care

it also goes towards stupid stuff like the millenium dome, a rail system thats complete rubbish and decripid, un reliable public transport, and waiting lists for NHS operations can be as long as a couple of years.

on top of that, the weathers pretty much sh1t, petrol costs the good end of £1 a litre, and the government takes 80% yes 80% of that.

its also pretty good for asylum seekers.....ive never seen so many benefits. free driving lessons, free swimming lessons, income support, free house and phone when they first get here...they look after the asylum seekers better than the natives. the same benefit system basically pays for people like abu hamza to stay here, and they manage to wrangle more in benefits than most honest people earn.

also

its full of townies, chavs, charvers, scallies, scum bags......these are the track suited, reebok classic wearing, burberry loving, cap wearing, vauxhall nova driving idiots that bring the tone down oh sooo much


as a general rule.....the south = expensive

the north (where i live) = cheaper

thats just my view (all the above) im entitled to it, but dont take it as right, thats just how i see things from up here in Middlesbrough.


its probably safer in england, less gun crime, probably little less drug crime, we have respected universities too

we definately have better cars and top gear! and the BBC! advert free tv!

 

[neonerd]

DannyBoy says he doesn't like it there

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: brigden
I'll offer you my perspective: born and raised in the UK, currently living in Canada.

First, it is important you understand that like the US, there are regional cultural differences, but these differences are far more condensed in England. That is to say, life in the south can be vastly different to life in the north. As an outsider, you may not notice these differences immediately, but over time you will come to appreciate them.

Life in England will depend greatly on where you choose to live. As one member suggested, Bill Bryson's "Notes From A Small Island" will best prepare you for the cultural differences. Although written years ago, it still offers a candid view of an American experiencing English life.

As for your specific questions:

Public attitude depends on where you live. Cosmopolitan European life is best experienced in the larger Southern centres, specifically London. However, the UK has taken great strides to separate itself from the continent. They are related, but two separate entities.

Is it safer? I would think statistically yes, and I feel safer in suburban England than I do in suburban America. To compare, London is far safer than New York, but that doesn't mean that you can't get yourself stabbed.

Are Britons more intelligent? Not sure, but they do possess more class. You are less likely to feel like you're surrounded by white trash while in the UK.

The concept of "bigger is better" doesn't really exist in the UK, but people are equally as materialistic. However, the middle class isn't as large as it is in the US.

You will immediately notice that people appear less friendly or out-going. You're less likely to have someone smile at you when passing in the street. That's not rudeness, it's just British reserve. Something Americans lack greatly.

Culture shock would be mild, depending on the person. I took my GF last November and while she found certain things strange (prawn cocktail crisps, Marmite, little cars) she loved it. She wants to go back.

As for jobs, I'm afraid I can't offer you enough advice as I've been out of the UK job market for ten years.

Do yourself a favour, read that book!

Good luck.
P.S. If you don't like football (soccer) now, you will after you get there.

keep it termed football please , im from a town where pretty much everyone is into football, as a result theres lots of jobless people etc, hard cases etc, very rough place in areas is middlesbrough, and the people that live and stay here tend to have been born here and simply were never clever enough to get a good job and leave. football is a way of life for alot of people here, so youll learn to love it

i really hope tony blair and labour get voted out, im really not liking there ideas, nor am i liking these quango things that jus seem to use tax payers money for not alot really

 

[Monkey muppet]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
i live in the UK and im gettin out ASAP

its not free health care as such, the plethora of taxes you must pay on everything you buy and the government tax on money you earn all goes toward providing the so called free health care

it also goes towards stupid stuff like the millenium dome, a rail system thats complete rubbish and decripid, un reliable public transport, and waiting lists for NHS operations can be as long as a couple of years.

on top of that, the weathers pretty much sh1t, petrol costs the good end of £1 a litre, and the government takes 80% yes 80% of that.

its also pretty good for asylum seekers.....ive never seen so many benefits. free driving lessons, free swimming lessons, income support, free house and phone when they first get here...they look after the asylum seekers better than the natives. the same benefit system basically pays for people like abu hamza to stay here, and they manage to wrangle more in benefits than most honest people earn.

also

its full of townies, chavs, charvers, scallies, scum bags......these are the track suited, reebok classic wearing, burberry loving, cap wearing, vauxhall nova driving idiots that bring the tone down oh sooo much


as a general rule.....the south = expensive

the north (where i live) = cheaper

You mean we don't have to Sell this place???

In that case: The school system here is seriously lacking in core skills, the attitude and swearing from 6 years olds is unbeleivable, far toooo many cars, minimum wage is = $9 per hour, average house price is = $287,810

 

[Gibson486]

i have always wanted to live in england... I have lived in teh US all my life, and there is always a certain spect about it that makes me want to leave. I have not put a finger on it yet, but i am trying to.

 

[Amused]

Safer in England?

Violent crime in the UK jumped by two-thirds between 1998 and 2003.

Crime is higher in the UK than the U.S. in every category except rape and murder.

I don't know about you, but I refuse to live in a country that has virtually banned self defense.

I guess "safer" is a relative term, no?