List some positive and negative things about English culture & society (university, allergy)

[dragonborn]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Indeed it's long overdue. Being Australian I consider myself a cultural child of the UK...

Let me know if/when you do. I'm hoping to be back there permanently ASAFingP.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

Because you watch Little Britain, there is no wonder you have this impression by basing a TV show as being the whole of Britain. We have some of the worlds smartest pioneers and inventors whom came from Britain (majorty were Scots) .

The UK is one of the most civilized nations of the world who had the most powerful empire at one time, because of brains not just brawn.

I don't deny that. And no, I don't watch Little Britain as a documentary lol...

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by dragonborn

Let me know if/when you do. I'm hoping to be back there permanently ASAFingP.

Hopefully next year, but I'll definitely come soon!

[dragonborn]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Hopefully next year, but I'll definitely come soon!

I should be there because the though of being in the US for another month is not preferable, but another year.....no way Jose!

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by dragonborn

I should be there because the though of being in the US for another month is not preferable, but another year.....no way Jose!

So you're not happy in the States?

[chilaili]

Woah woah woah, no hijacking the thread!

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by dragonborn

People compare the two, but it's a totally different kind of reservedness. New Englanders are not like English people at all, in general. People are more selectively reserved, yet brash in New England. The sense of humour there is totally different and people are much tougher nuts to crack than in most parts of England, where it really doesn't take much to break the ice. The reservedness in Britain is generally borne out of natural shyness, rather than an "I'm better than you and you have to earn your corn before you are worthy of speaking to me" type of deal.

Agree 100%.
The reserved English seemed rather shy and not necessarily opposed to connecting.
On the other hand, I even sensed a slight touch of hostility in the reservedness of New Englanders.
We were happily out of there after 2 years but are still dreaming of returning to the UK somehow.

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

That's true. Although they may come across as being shy I think the English are natural conversationalists.

Every English person I have met in the US (after I left the UK where I lived for a year) happened to be a very good conversationalist. I was actually quire frustrated because in 14 years of living in the US I never met conversationalists like that - and I DO come in contact frequently with people with tons of grad degrees. The English just seem to be made of a different stock.

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

It depends where you go/who you meet - England, Scotland, NI, Wales all have a diverse bunch of people. You cannot tar us all with the same brush.

We all have our own characteristics and charm, which makes us unique.

Well...sure...but when you look at the big picture, you CAN see trends.
I thought only Americans were infected with "particularitis".

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by syracusa

Well...sure...but when you look at the big picture, you CAN see trends.
I thought only Americans were infected with "particularitis".

The UK is made up of different countries, which makes us "diverse" just because I do not look at this on a "black and white" level doesn´t mean I am any lesser entitled to share my opinion than anyone else here.