Anyone can be an a**hole.

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1.  

   vadagh ~ 11 months ago

   0 votes
   
   Too true fellah, manners and being polite are things that appears to have died in the UK aswell. No longer are there English Gentlemen, we now have binge drinkers, chavs and suspicion everywhere when you try to do the right thing. Its a sad indictment on todays britain that the age of chivalry is dead.
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   1.  

      varga ~ 11 months ago

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      It's quite interesting to read all the posts about the English ppl, I've only been there once, in the 90s, in London, I remember my friends and I were surprised of how much Gentlemen both men and women seemed to be, when we took up a map, it didn't take a sec before someone were standing next to us, and asked if they could help us. One late night when we were lost in the tube (is that the correct term?) and had no exchange to the tickets a couple bought us tickets and directed us to the right tube. We were stunned and amazed.
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2.  

   Loves Bloc Party ~ 11 months ago

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   *S* i know of a few english gentlemen left
   
   yeah selfishness has taken over in this fast paced culture we live in - but maybe we can all do our part and slow down at times (literally - like not speed past people on the freeway, open doors for people, and take time to slow down and smile at others)
   
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   1.  

      varga ~ 11 months ago

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      Yep, very true said, it could be a beginning to a kinder enviroment :)
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3.  

   veddam ~ 11 months ago

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   I'm from a pretty small town in east coast Canada, the people are usually pretty friendly, and if you passed someone on the street you didn't know you still give a head nod or a friendly hello. Then I moved to the largest city in the country and it's very "don't make eye contact" (which I must say is pretty refreshing), and the people are genuinely surprised when I hold a door open for them after I enter a building, even more so If they are a few steps behind.
   
   LBC I agree with you when you say people should slow down. Life's too short to want to fly past it.
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   1.  

      varga ~ 11 months ago

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      I live in a pretty small town too, though the weird thing is that even if we do recognize almost everyone we rarely say hello to them. I read your post yesterday, and came to think of that it is really hard to make eyecontact with the ppl over here, today I went to a big fair, and actually tried to make eye-contact with ppl, and smile (as Georgie recommended), I stopped counting how many who looked genuinly surprised, or tilted their heads in order to see who I was looking at, though, some were brave, and smiled back. :)
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4.  

   georgie ~ 11 months ago

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   It's weird but no matter where I am, regardless of whether I'm in a small town or big city, I find that it's my own attitude that determines how friendly people are. Yeah, in London it's more pervasive for people generally to keep quiet and reserved and either apologize for every little thing or else rudely push you into oncoming traffic just to get in a queue ahead of you. But the strange thing is, right, if I walk around town generally feeling happy and kind, and I'm not hating everyone for slowing me down and getting in my way, if I'm considerate and seem to be in a good mood, it seems like more people stop and talk to me. It's the weirdest thing! I've done experiments where I say "Allright Georgie today you are going to look happy like you don't have a care in the world and walk into the grocery store." And I swear, someone will ask me what's the best brand of frozen peas, or do I know where Marlyebone station is, or an older person will ask me to reach for them a box of cereal on the top shelf, and the check out person will make small talk while I bag up my food. It happens every time! And I feel so good about myself because it wasn't another dog eat dog day in London. Try it people, I'm not one of those friendly types... I'll run you over with my shopping trolley if I think you're cruising down the candy and crisps aisle too damn slow in front of me... but just try it a couple times. See if it works, maybe not the first time, but after a couple times when you're out shopping. Don't be a rush, take your time and be friendly. You just might discover that you can change everyone around you, just by changing yourself.
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   1.  

      jbravo ~ 11 months ago

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      I've tried that experiment myself before. It really does work. Really hard to be nice some days, though!
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   2.  

      varga ~ 11 months ago

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      Well, as I wrote to veddam, I did try it today Georgie, and hm, I must say, it was worth it, it was really funny to see how many ppl who looked completely bewildered and also the ones who did actually respond and smiled back.
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5.  

   snak ~ 11 months ago

   0 votes
   
   Whilst I endeavour to be a gentleman at all times, I do realise that in the UK, there are regional differences in attitude towards others. It appears that the further north you go, the friendlier people become (till you get to Hadrians Wall). I've been to London and if I never go there again, it'll be too soon. All generalisations are dangerous (including this one) but I speak from experience. The people in Notts are far friendlier than those 'down south', and the people in Yorkshire are friendlier still.
   
   If there was a vote for the friendliest place I've been, it would be Leeds.
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   1.  

      clemmati ~ 11 months ago

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      Leeds really is friendly -- as all the friendly people there will tell you :) -- Wales is pretty friendly too, at least, Cardiff and Swansea are.
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      1.  

         snak ~ 11 months ago

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         I really like Wales and spend as much time there as possible (which is not nearly enough). People are friendlier (to the English) further South. The northern part of Wales can be hostile to Angles, but that's acceptable - it's been that way since the Romans.
         
         However I'm fond of recounting a story about Barmouth on the Welsh Coast. My son (then aged about 13) and I went into a jewellers as he wanted a Welsh Gold souvenir. As we walked in (in true cliche style), two women talking English switched to Welsh, and carried on talking whilst we examined and eventually bought a sygnet ring. Everyone knows that the Scottish derisory term for 'Englishman' is 'Sassenach' but not so many know the Welsh equivalent is 'Sesseneg' (not sure of the spelling). Well I do.
         
         So of course, as we accepted our change and receipt, I could not help but thank the jeweller in Welsh and he was halfway through the 'You're Welcome', also in Welsh when the two women stopped talking about the 'Sessenegs' and looked horrified at each other.
         
         I nodded to them as we left the shop and smiled. As we closed the door the jeweller looked at the women and burst out laughing. They were both as red as the sunset - and very quiet.
         
         Oh yes, I look back on that event with great relish.
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         1.  

            clemmati ~ 11 months ago

            0 votes
            
            I agree Northern Wales is less openly warm, so is rural Wales. And I know about the talking Welsh thing!
            
            Sesseneg
            
            Saesneg. The standard insult is Twll Dyn Pob Saes.
            
            :)
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6.  

   otakugeneration ~ 11 months ago

   0 votes
   
   I'm generally nice, even when I'm in a pissy mood inside... around here... most people are self involved. the last person they think of is the person right next to them. unless that person has something to do in the way of relation... getting laid... or money.
   
   but then again... I don't like people who are too sweet. I'm a gentleman... ladies take note. =D hehe...
   
   in a big city, people tend to isolate themselves... meaning... all that chaos will suck you in, if you don't wall yourself into your own world (when you're on the street... or commuting).
   
   so even if a person is being drunk... they're being careless... knowing you won't react.
   
   I remember this one time (in... not-band camp)... this guy was having car trouble; in the parking lot of a food market... on my way out and back to the car... I helped him. out of all people... this person was a reverend and was surprised I was lending him a hand. what was most shocking, he was surprised I didn't want anything in return for the assistance.
   
   that's the last time I'll help someone for just a thank you! =D okay that's a lie... maybe. *whistles... beheads some barbie dolls... and barnie... and teletubbies*
   
   what? they are tubby! creepy little freaks! =D
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   1.  

      Loves Bloc Party ~ 11 months ago

      1 vote
      
      wow that is surprising! but what does that say about our culture if a reverend is surprised at the kindness of a stranger?
      
      its nice to know that you are like that - but then i kind of thought you were a sweetie!
      
      :)
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      1.  

         otakugeneration ~ 11 months ago

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         nice I'm scoring points without even trying. =)
         
         yeah... I forgot... all about that.. until I read this post.
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7.  

   vadagh ~ 11 months ago

   0 votes
   
   Hmm Leeds ain't bad it's just up the road, but go to a smaller place in the Dales or on the Moors and you'll find a cup of tea and an eccles cake or two from the locals if your caught in a squall. Awesome. I'd say Newcastle and the North of the UK are definately friendlier, it's a generalisation but mainly true, I've met very few southerners who were polite and not stuck up their own ar*e. Hung up on material things and boasting about the latest toy on the driveway....pathetic. Londoners and folks from Essex are the worst for that.
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8.  

   varga ~ 11 months ago

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   ...and thanks all for your posts, it's really interesting to hear what it's like where you are and what you think. Cheers. :)
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9.  

   AdGuy

   22 votes
   
   This is my two cents...
   
      
   Hey you know AdGuy always gets the last word! ;)