Questions for non-Brits.

Thanks for all the answers so far folks.

 I know that England has it's problems but then again so has every other country haven't they?. Pesonally I would say that Englands biggest problem is apathy, folk moan about things but do begger all about it.

When I think of England I also think of countryside, the green hills, the moors, and the rivers and canals. I think of lazy sunday afternoons strolling with my daughters and grandchildren after a nice sunday roast and yorkshire pud. I think of crisp frosty mornings and the gentle refreshing breeze on my way to work on a spring morning. I also think of puddles of rain collected on cobbled backstreets, large textile mills lit up bright in the night. Local garden fetes and rural shows in summer and ice cream in the park.

Yep, there is too much apathy in the UK now, but who cares?

Aye, folk will do as they're told or please themself.

I think of discretion, manners, humor and of an innate sense of democracy.  I can still experience those whenever i come over, all the times.

Hello everybody!

Being Swiss I'm going to be an awfully small minority here, and I wonder if you guys will even talk to a non-EU extraterrestrian?!

Having worked and lived and loved in England in the late 70s and 80s (without a work permit; never would a bloody Swiss foreigner be granted such a privilege then!) I am a long-time England homesicker and dedicated visitor to POE, gorging on those wonderful pics and the witty gab. Haven't been back to GB for several years now but would love to visit again and will do so as soon as I have summoned up enough courage to face an England that is probably not the England I once knew and loved (PLEASE tell me YES YES YES it is!). Which meant beautiful, unspoilt countryside, outstanding towns and romantic villages, breathtakingly beautiful cathedrals and churches and - above all - friendly, welcoming people with a great sense of humour and a great heart. For all the negative things we hear and read about England, I still think it must be a nice country to live in - after all, life has become harder for most of us, even here in cosy old Switz where we still try hard not to be part of the rest of the world. When I look round - Germany, France, Italy - we become more and more similar and boring - same shopping malls, same brands, same problems everywhere. I am hoping against hope (and the locals in this forum) that Britain has preserved at least some of its originality. To sum it up and return to the original question: for me England was a place where, after the stuffiness of dear little enclosed protected over-adapted Switzerland I could at last BREATHE!

Kind regards from THE CONTINENT,

Danielle

Tell me about it lol :)

Welcome to POE, Danielle.  You are quite right; changes have involved all of us , and at such a fast pace too. 

What part of Switzerland are you from?

MG 

Sue H, if you had been reading the posts while in dear old England you would know that I have been suffering a little bit just recently, and really didn't feel like sitting down anywhere!!

Anyway, welcome to POE Danielle....you just don't know what you have let yourself in for in this forum....their mad! But not ME of course, I am the legendary Ron Brind!

I agree with Andy.  Lynn mentions offending other nationalities if we fly the English flag. Doesn't it offend most of us if we can't! 

English grammar is somewhat lacking in the younger generation. Apparently teachers of today don't correct grammar or spelling in subjects other than English Language.  Health and Safety too is going too far.  There was something on the TV a while back about a little boy who kept wetting his trousers because he couldn't get his trousers down quickly enough.  The teacher wasn't allowed to touch the child to help, so he was ridiculed by his classmates. Which does the most damage? 

I think those of us who live in rural areas are luckier than those who live in the bigger cities and are almost afraid to go out at night.