tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post114549509194829945..comments2023-10-28T05:19:39.788-05:00Comments on Spark of Madness: My Love/Hate Relationship With Englandpilgrimchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13808106043964544413noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1147477134483489592006-05-12T18:38:00.000-05:002006-05-12T18:38:00.000-05:00Hmm, I see Sparky has already jumped into the fray...Hmm, I see Sparky has already jumped into the fray so I won't add much to what he said, although I must admit I am surprised that the transport service gets praise - it's usually first on most English people's list of worst things. It does vary from city to city, my friend in Colchester is always complaining about how awful their service is. <BR/><BR/>I've got to say that I don't really understand some of the criticisms levelled at Britain by Americans. I haven't been to America, unfortunately, so can pass no comment about relative advantages/disadvantages, but I'm not sure many English people would be particularly quick to voice any criticisms in front of Americans in any case, as we tend to avoid making disparaging comments about other countries in public...<BR/><BR/>I think it's important to remember that just because a country may be different, it's not necessarily worse. I suppose I'm biased, but, much as we love to welcome tourists, the place is a home for us and we have certain specific things that we do like any other place in the world. I can understand that it must be annoying and a bit isolating sometimes to find so many things different, particularly as you may have expected more similarities given the shared language and cultural background, but surely the point of time spent abroad is to sample new cultural traditions? It's a shame when things aren't available, but (thankfully) we're not yet a big homogeneous bloc. Frankly, I'd be disappointed if I went to the States and found it was just like home. <BR/><BR/>I'm never quite sure what people from abroad expect the British to be like. I suppose I should say 'English' really, as it seems to be taken as synonymous by many people (a cynic might say that all the bad things are considered 'English' and the bits people like 'British'...). The inaccurate depictions of us in many American films range from the laughable to the deeply insulting - suffice to say, Mel Gibson's popularity is not high here these days. I also find that the many and varied cultural differences between different parts of the country tend to be ignored - as a former Cambridge student, I can vouch for the fact that the stereotype of high tea and Pimms is alive and well, but there's a lot more to us than that. I have to advise anyone thinking of coming here not to stick to London - it is representative of nowhere other than itself, and the picture of England you are left with will be highly distorted. That said, it's important to remember that it isn't a Third World country, and if you can't find a particular facility that you consider essential, chances are that it's just well-concealed. Another piece of advice would be to be a bit circumspect about criticising too loudly in public - you are very unlikely to get drawn into an argument, unlike in Europe (and to be honest, if you were, you'd be highly likely to find some English people weighing in on your side, as we don't like to see people picked on) but it does create bad feeling, and adds to the impression, however erroneous it may be, that some Americans can be arrogant and culturally insensitive abroad. <BR/><BR/>On a lighter note, to answer Angeldust's question, the pie is called Melton Mowbray, and is indeed very nice :D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1146515859606883202006-05-01T15:37:00.000-05:002006-05-01T15:37:00.000-05:00I'm a Medieval Historian at the University of York...I'm a Medieval Historian at the University of York. The UK is nice--don't get me wrong, and I am glad that I came over here, but there are certain things that you just need to re-indulge in when you get home, like driving and iced coffee, and real hot dogs....pilgrimchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13808106043964544413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1146513954283742762006-05-01T15:05:00.000-05:002006-05-01T15:05:00.000-05:00That was an interesting pro/con list! I've never ...That was an interesting pro/con list! I've never been to the UK, but that blog had a lot of humourous insight. What are you studying over there?<BR/><BR/>(Great pics on flicker by the way!)Ravenbajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17568319656493902184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1146066954520268862006-04-26T10:55:00.000-05:002006-04-26T10:55:00.000-05:00what made you choose to continue your education in...what made you choose to continue your education in the UK? just curious... it sounds so glamorous to me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1146035519976372792006-04-26T02:11:00.000-05:002006-04-26T02:11:00.000-05:00About "the middle man"...I must comment (due to ex...About "the middle man"...<BR/>I must comment (due to experience/age)<BR/>I generally dispense which such nonsense in many all areas but... However, for a truly inspired, delicious, lust filled time there is nothing like an unabashed, daring, passionate as well as tender/yummy lover. <BR/>Highly recommend spending time exploring "personality and character" in order to assess possibilities and avoid disappointment. Yeap.<BR/><BR/>Now, what kind of camera do you use? Your shots are so much "crisper" than mine...Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145899976437516632006-04-24T12:32:00.000-05:002006-04-24T12:32:00.000-05:00First, I'm very very glad that Harriet's had a mir...First, I'm very very glad that Harriet's had a miracle recovery. <BR/><BR/>Second, this was just a charming run-down. <BR/><BR/>I've sprinkled my complaints about England throughout a few years of blogging, but never thought to compile a list. <BR/><BR/>I will say that almost all of my complaints had nothing to do with conveniences or contraptions and almost ALL to do with ... well, cultural habits, deep values. They serve the English well - good for them, but were grating to me. I'd moved to England, though, NOT from the States, but from a number of years in Eastern Europe, in a difficult emerging economy. <BR/><BR/>England ended up being a very nice warm-up to returning to the States, because we are ... breathtakingly insulted and damned proud of it. <BR/><BR/>I'm thinking YOU'RE thinking "oh yeah? What about you complaining about the cosmetic counters in England?" <BR/><BR/>yes, well that's all part of a curious preference for conformity and a tendency not to demand too much ... <BR/><BR/>uh-oh. To work. I have to go to work. (No. It didn't get better saying it twice. lol)booda babyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09424036488795599663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145810844768574112006-04-23T11:47:00.000-05:002006-04-23T11:47:00.000-05:00Hi, I saw your comment on the too saucy blog out o...Hi, I saw your comment on the too saucy blog out of NYC, which is where I live, and clicked over. I'm thinking of doing a semester abroad in London in September - and now you've got me worried when I read your post! lol<BR/><BR/>I know London would likely be very different than York, but you've made me a little nervous...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145807169170742202006-04-23T10:46:00.000-05:002006-04-23T10:46:00.000-05:00thankyou for your comment!!Im not in any sort of p...thankyou for your comment!!<BR/><BR/>Im not in any sort of program, I'm living over here in the uk with my boyfriend who's english. <BR/>No idea how long i'll be here for, depends how long he wants me here, forever he says. <BR/>If we win the lottery we'll move to australia he said to me though! haha!! Wonder if he could cope with the hot summer though!<BR/>Thanks again for your comment<BR/>Take care :)Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742808482090755805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145754424219121012006-04-22T20:07:00.000-05:002006-04-22T20:07:00.000-05:00Thank you, Sparky, always glad to ignite nationali...Thank you, Sparky, always glad to ignite nationalistic fire in people.<BR/><BR/>Sorry about the bathroom--I hope that problem clears up quickly ;-).pilgrimchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13808106043964544413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145753697973884862006-04-22T19:54:00.000-05:002006-04-22T19:54:00.000-05:00Since my bathroom's occupied, I thought I'd pop ba...Since my bathroom's occupied, I thought I'd pop back to point out that the above is <B>*not*</B> sarcasm.sparkychttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06479398361619860016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145753478662019482006-04-22T19:51:00.000-05:002006-04-22T19:51:00.000-05:00I was so stunned (and, unexpectedly, pleased) that...I was so stunned (and, unexpectedly, pleased) that you put the <B><I>public transport system</I></B> as one of the best things about this country that all my rage about your cons dissipated.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to have to re-read them. I never feel quite so strongly about how great this country is as when you complain about it. It's quite nice really -- before I met you I thought I had no national pride at all.sparkychttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06479398361619860016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145687995414667232006-04-22T01:39:00.000-05:002006-04-22T01:39:00.000-05:00you make like thiswww.073683.blogspot.comyou make like this<BR/>www.073683.blogspot.comAlicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145674618606180882006-04-21T21:56:00.000-05:002006-04-21T21:56:00.000-05:00I'm assuming you couldn't get an education in your...I'm assuming you couldn't get an education in your own country...robin hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02440140156623241550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145647840247750292006-04-21T14:30:00.000-05:002006-04-21T14:30:00.000-05:00You are welcome!Are you aware of the email - link ...You are welcome!<BR/><BR/>Are you aware of the email - link blog feature - on template ?<BR/>Come back when you have a minute and test it by clicking on the envelope next to comments... it's really coolAlicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145639135341839612006-04-21T12:05:00.000-05:002006-04-21T12:05:00.000-05:00We are much influenced by all English around here....We are much influenced by all English around here... love the high tea little habit myself, if I may say so.<BR/>Having grown up in Argentina had also given me a huge dosage of (snobbery) as at one time you were literally nobody in your own land -if you did not speak "the" language.<BR/>That said, having not visited I am looking forward to the opportunity because I absolutely love most of what know.<BR/>Hooked on Yorkshire pudding, picklelilly, (can't recall at this moment the name of) the pie I pick up at Marks and Spencer's... Melton Molberry? It's been a while<BR/><BR/>Thanks for dropping by. Yes, there are my pics. Was testing, my first digital camera. <BR/>Yours are dropped-dead too!<BR/>Warm regardsAlicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145589384509442772006-04-20T22:16:00.000-05:002006-04-20T22:16:00.000-05:00Very well done. thank you for visiting. I like you...Very well done. thank you for visiting. I like your words here. You say you found the poet's words but have you made and taught a tree?<BR/>your humble servant,<BR/>Ancient Clownancient clownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08065576544187661965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145583178517958612006-04-20T20:32:00.000-05:002006-04-20T20:32:00.000-05:00I really laughed reading your post. You write so w...I really laughed reading your post. You write so well. I happen to LOVE England. But I'm biased.SoulSlavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12241699819960441949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21880954.post-1145559824790553972006-04-20T14:03:00.000-05:002006-04-20T14:03:00.000-05:00Great article; I found this particularly interesti...Great article; I found this particularly interesting as I have never traveled outside the U.S. I am jealous of the English public transportation system!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com