Regional Differences

[feral chile]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/13-irritatingly-common-misconceptions-wales-6314958

I was reading this article, about Welsh stereotypes, and reading the comments below, particularly the one about strangers not speaking to each other in Bristol.

That's very different in Wales, even in Cardiff, which I grew up believing was very unfriendly.

On my walk to work, I encountered lots of people who'd say good morning, and even friendlier gambits. like the local flasher, and the lady whose opening gambit was 'you'll never guess, my knickers just fell off and I had to put them in my pocket - look!' to the sweet man who told me his life story, and an insight into his family, including their sleeping arrangements.

I don't know what the point of this topic is, but I just thought I'd share.

(And most of those stereotypes actually do relate to the Valleys).

Edited June 18, 2014 by feral chile

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I've been to Wales many a time. One of those times was when visiting a friend who was at college there. He was based in Pontypridd and we near enough stayed in the local pub all weekend. When it was announced on the Sunday night that we would be leaving to go back home the next day, the whole pub to a person stood up and sang 'They'll be a welcome in the Hillside' to us. I've not had that experience every time I have visited, but can't recall ever having a bad experience.

[feral chile]

I've been to Wales many a time. One of those times was when visiting a friend who was at college there. He was based in Pontypridd and we near enough stayed in the local pub all weekend. When it was announced on the Sunday night that we would be leaving to go back home the next day, the whole pub to a person stood up and sang 'They'll be a welcome in the Hillside' to us. I've not had that experience every time I have visited, but can't recall ever having a bad experience.

I'm not surprised we get to have all the contact centres - apart from the fact that there's sod else job opportunities, we do all love to talk.

A colleague had to phone a contact centre the other day as a customer, and by the end of the call the adviser the other end had confided in her all her dreams and life obstacles and achievements. We tend to have that effect on people.

Edited June 18, 2014 by feral chile

[jump]

I'm in London where generally people avoid each other despite it being rammed with people everywhere.

[feral chile]

I'm in London where generally people avoid each other despite it being rammed with people everywhere.

It's strange what's considered polite - we feel it's rude to spend more than 10 seconds around someone without speaking. Though that's more pronounced in the Valleys.

[grumpyhack]

Having spent more than half my life in Wales (mainly in the Valleys) I take it for granted that people will chat to each other and that randoms will strike up conversations. I don't know if that's a Welsh thing or perhaps a working class thing.

[LondonTom]

I'm in London where generally people avoid each other despite it being rammed with people everywhere.

Indeed, all human contact with strangers needs to be avoided at all costs

Handy getting to work mind...

[kaosmark2]

Having spent more than half my life in Wales (mainly in the Valleys) I take it for granted that people will chat to each other and that randoms will strike up conversations. I don't know if that's a Welsh thing or perhaps a working class thing.

It's a "not Southern city" thing. London's the most extreme, and basically the further you are from it the more likely I've found people to chat.

[Babyquack]

I feel its more of an upper class affair. It seems like a fair amount of people in the south do genuinely feel like you're below them. Having lived in Ireland for a good chunk of my life and coming over here when I was 14, I can't remember the last time I said good afternoon to someone without getting a blank expression back, void of all emotion. Sure they say it back but it's so forced it's unreal!

Looking forward to moving to Aberystwyth in september for uni in order to be around nicer company!

[Essex_George]

Indeed, all human contact with strangers needs to be avoided at all costs

Handy getting to work mind...

When on the tube there are two options. Either stare down at your feet or stare up at the advertising boards. Do not in any circumstances make eye contact with anyone.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I know someone who, while pissed up, on a visit to London went on the tube and just started talking to everyone while he got on and walked further through the aisle. He then grabbed one of them leather holding straps that hang off a ceiling rail (I think) and said out load in his best Birmingham accent that ' It's not like a fucking buzz is it'? With him meaning the tube was not like a bus. I suspect those on board were mortified given the unspoken etiquette which prevails that one should not communicate to one's fellow passengers.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Yoghurt on a Stick

[TheGayTent]

There aren't any lazy stereotype stories in here are there

[eFestivals]

There aren't any lazy stereotype stories in here are there

the one that always makes me laugh is the 'northern' idea that being in other people's faces all the time is somehow intrinsically better.

Personally, I'm quite happy with the 'London way', where you know that if someone talks to you at a bus stop they're the local nutter and you should quietly move away.

Edited June 19, 2014 by eFestivals

[thetime]

When I lived in Manchester everyone was friendly, always a hello or a quick how are you .

Moved to shropshire and tried this and every one thought I was a nutter, 6 years on I still say hi and they still think I'm an alien.

[t8yman]

I prefer people to leave me the fuck alone. I'll nod and give a polite "morning" occasionally, but I don't wanna talk to you. And I'm a purebred northerner!

[eFestivals]

I prefer people to leave me the fuck alone. I'll nod and give a polite "morning" occasionally, but I don't wanna talk to you.

yep, that's me too.

30 years ago when I first moved to the west country, I had a lovely old dear as a neighbour who'd lived in the village for 30 years - and not a soul of these "lovely friendly" west country types would talk to her.

Me, tho, they wanted to know every detail of my life.

So that - just as with her - once they had all the info they could gossip about the nasty outsiders.

The claimed friendliness is not all that it pretends for itself.

Edited June 19, 2014 by eFestivals

[russycarps]

Yeh I have to say, one thing I dont miss from my time living up in the north of england is people thinking they can bore the piss out of you by spouting off their life story at every opportunity.

I'll speak to my neighbours of course, but strangers on the train? No ta.

[feral chile]

yep, that's me too.

30 years ago when I first moved to the west country, I had a lovely old dear as a neighbour who'd lived in the village for 30 years - and not a soul of these "lovely friendly" west country types would talk to her.

Me, tho, they wanted to know every detail of my life.

So that - just as with her - once they had all the info they could gossip about the nasty outsiders.

The claimed friendliness is not all that it pretends for itself.

Ah gossip - might not have been meant to put you down, but knowledge is power.

[feral chile]

Yeh I have to say, one thing I dont miss from my time living up in the north of england is people thinking they can bore the piss out of you by spouting off their life story at every opportunity.

I'll speak to my neighbours of course, but strangers on the train? No ta.

Aww I like it. I love hearing about how people are, their little foibles. Though even in Wales, you get lots of differences. When I moved to Cardiff and then back, I felt irritated by how much loitering and non rushing went on, I'd got used to a faster pace.

One thing I appreciated, though, was the way people would pass strangers their parking permits if there was still time left on them.

And I must say, I'm pretty insular, very stereotypically Valleys, and on the few times I've ventured outside Wales, people have been very kind to us.

Even the traffic warden who told us where to park (as opposed to where we actually were) in order to avoid that parking ticket he could have slapped on us.

The only time I can remember feeling seriously put down by an English person was when we were on our way on a coach trip for a brewery tour, and the coach stopped off at a little village, and we got out and asked someone where the local fish shop was. The guy looked at us in horror and disdain, and said 'do you mean chips?' Not in these parts (sniff.. disdainful toss of the head)

Edited June 19, 2014 by feral chile

[feral chile]

Yeh I have to say, one thing I dont miss from my time living up in the north of england is people thinking they can bore the piss out of you by spouting off their life story at every opportunity.

I'll speak to my neighbours of course, but strangers on the train? No ta.

I've made friends with people this way though, and I'm not a particularly outgoing person - think of the opportunities you miss.

[feral chile]

What I was wondering, though, in places where people don't chat to strangers, is it because it's considered impolite? would we be making a giant social blunder if we tried to engage them in conversation?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

What I was wondering, though, in places where people don't chat to strangers, is it because it's considered impolite? would we be making a giant social blunder if we tried to engage them in conversation?

I think it's more to do with the fact that you'd be ear marked (is that an expression? I have my doubts now) as a potential nutter, rather than being perceived as impolite.

Never mind regional differences - I have lived in my house for about 12 years now. Up until recently I used to say hello to the bloke directly opposite my house but have never ever had a hello back off him. After years of this I finally gave up on saying hello to him. His wife says hello to me all the time though. It would be interesting to know what his reasons are for this non communication.

[Katster]

He thinks you are shagging his wife...

[eFestivals]

What I was wondering, though, in places where people don't chat to strangers, is it because it's considered impolite? would we be making a giant social blunder if we tried to engage them in conversation?

pretty much, yeah - cos it's mainly the nutters who'll do that. You might well find that people move away from you, not wanting to get involved in a convo with a nutter.

[russycarps]

Aww I like it. I love hearing about how people are, their little foibles. Though even in Wales, you get lots of differences. When I moved to Cardiff and then back, I felt irritated by how much loitering and non rushing went on, I'd got used to a faster pace.

One thing I appreciated, though, was the way people would pass strangers their parking permits if there was still time left on them.

And I must say, I'm pretty insular, very stereotypically Valleys, and on the few times I've ventured outside Wales, people have been very kind to us.

Even the traffic warden who told us where to park (as opposed to where we actually were) in order to avoid that parking ticket he could have slapped on us.

The only time I can remember feeling seriously put down by an English person was when we were on our way on a coach trip for a brewery tour, and the coach stopped off at a little village, and we got out and asked someone where the local fish shop was. The guy looked at us in horror and disdain, and said 'do you mean chips?' Not in these parts (sniff.. disdainful toss of the head)

I do that with the parking permits still in london! Oh crap I bet people think I'm a nutter....