Do you seriously think the people of Glasgow have mroe in common with eastern European cities than, say, Newcastle-upon-Tyne? (not the Newcastle, Co. Down)
Do you seriously think the people of Glasgow have mroe in common with eastern European cities than, say, Newcastle-upon-Tyne? (not the Newcastle, Co. Down)
I don't really know how much commonality there is between Glasgow and, to use your example, Newcastle. Common language, yes, and obviously a shared government. Beyond that, I'm not sure. There's not a whole lot of cross-border interaction. Probably applies to Newcastle Co. Down as well, by the way.
My point was more about Scotland as a nation. Scotland and England share a history, but there is no doubt that they are two different countries with very different viewpoints of each other and Europe in general. My wife is Welsh and she thinks there is a much more marked difference between England and Scotland than there is between England and Wales. Even given that everything in Wales is by law bi-lingual. When we visit my family she always says that she feels like she's in a properly foreign country. Although that might just be down to her in-laws...
I've travelled quite a bit in Northern and Eastern Europe and I just think that Scotland is in many ways a typically Northern European country. Edinburgh simply is a European city in a way that Manchester or Birmingham are not.
England seems to be more Southern European - or maybe it just has aspirations that way. Actually, England seems to think it's the 51st State of the US. In denial about being European at all.
How much would you say Belfast has in common with Dublin, beyond the language? As I've said before, the first time I disabused myself of the United Ireland aspiration was when I actually went to Northern Ireland and recognised instantly that the Republic and the North were two very different countries. I think the same applies to Scotland and England.
I don't really know how much commonality there is between Glasgow and, to use your example, Newcastle. Common language, yes, and obviously a shared government. Beyond that, I'm not sure. There's not a whole lot of cross-border interaction. Probably applies to Newcastle Co. Down as well, by the way.
My point was more about Scotland as a nation. Scotland and England share a history, but there is no doubt that they are two different countries with very different viewpoints of each other and Europe in general. My wife is Welsh and she thinks there is a much more marked difference between England and Scotland than there is between England and Wales. Even given that everything in Wales is by law bi-lingual. When we visit my family she always says that she feels like she's in a properly foreign country. Although that might just be down to her in-laws...
I've travelled quite a bit in Northern and Eastern Europe and I just think that Scotland is in many ways a typically Northern European country. Edinburgh simply is a European city in a way that Manchester or Birmingham are not.
England seems to be more Southern European - or maybe it just has aspirations that way. Actually, England seems to think it's the 51st State of the US. In denial about being European at all.
How much would you say Belfast has in common with Dublin, beyond the language? As I've said before, the first time I disabused myself of the United Ireland aspiration was when I actually went to Northern Ireland and recognised instantly that the Republic and the North were two very different countries. I think the same applies to Scotland and England.
I don't know about the whole England/Scotland thing. TBH I've never noticed much difference.
I've also never actually been in Dublin (only around) so can't comment. We did have 2 guys over from England for a meeting in work some months ago though. I was ever so pleased to hear him say Belfast was more like a mini-London than it was like Dublin 
I don't know about the whole England/Scotland thing. TBH I've never noticed much difference.
I've also never actually been in Dublin (only around) so can't comment. We did have 2 guys over from England for a meeting in work some months ago though. I was ever so pleased to hear him say Belfast was more like a mini-London than it was like Dublin
No other city in the same league as London. I agree with you there:
Dirty, expensive, more rude and ignorant inhabitants than anywhere else, traffic wardens currently in training for the resurgence of the nazi party, self-centred and greedy and they think nowehere else in the country matters.
I lived in London for 15 years and leaving the god-awful place was the best move I ever made.
Scotland, on the other hand. Wonderful place. The place of my birth. Friendly people (although some might be drunk), beautiful unspoilt scenery, bliss, bliss, bliss.
No other city in the same league as London. I agree with you there:
Dirty, expensive, more rude and ignorant inhabitants than anywhere else, traffic wardens currently in training for the resurgence of the nazi party, self-centred and greedy and they think nowehere else in the country matters.
I lived in London for 15 years and leaving the god-awful place was the best move I ever made.
Scotland, on the other hand. Wonderful place. The place of my birth. Friendly people (although some might be drunk), beautiful unspoilt scenery, bliss, bliss, bliss.
Why did you live in London for 15 years when you hated it so much? I just loved living in London, every time I go back it gets me in a way only a human being you miss very much should. I'd move back tomorrow given unlimited financial resources.
On two other hands I love the South-West of England and I love Scotland, my homeland and the place I lived until I was 28. And the place where my family still live. Although they're almost all Old Bill, or Polis as we lovingly know them.
Actually on a third hand I love Wales, where my wife comes from. So much good music. Cerys Matthews singing "Every day when I wake up I thank the Lord I'm Welsh." Cool as...
Why did you live in London for 15 years when you hated it so much? I just loved living in London, every time I go back it gets me in a way only a human being you miss very much should. I'd move back tomorrow given unlimited financial resources.
On two other hands I love the South-West of England and I love Scotland, my homeland and the place I lived until I was 28. And the place where my family still live. Although they're almost all Old Bill, or Polis as we lovingly know them.
Actually on a third hand I love Wales, where my wife comes from. So much good music. Cerys Matthews singing "Every day when I wake up I thank the Lord I'm Welsh." Cool as...
So much good music and Cerys Matthews in the same sentence - have you been drinking, young man? *just kidding*
The only reason I stayed on London so long is for work. I transferred there for an initial period of 18 months, which stretched into 15 years.
To be honest, there were aspects of it I adored. And I know exactly what you mean about that feeling when you return, sometimes.
Overall though, London (like many other places) has changed dramatically over the years. Sadly for the worse. By the time I left, I was really, really, really happy to go.
So much good music and Cerys Matthews in the same sentence - have you been drinking, young man? *just kidding*
The only reason I stayed on London so long is for work. I transferred there for an initial period of 18 months, which stretched into 15 years.
To be honest, there were aspects of it I adored. And I know exactly what you mean about that feeling when you return, sometimes.
Overall though, London (like many other places) has changed dramatically over the years. Sadly for the worse. By the time I left, I was really, really, really happy to go.
You're absolutely correct. I had been drinking. Why else mention the fact that policing is the family business, for heavens sake?
I have to take you task about Cerys, though. Catatonia were an excellent band. Not as excellent as the Super Furry Animals, Stereophonics, Gorky's Zygotic Munki or the very wonderful Manics, I grant you.
You're absolutely correct. I had been drinking. Why else mention the fact that policing is the family business, for heavens sake?
I have to take you task about Cerys, though. Catatonia were an excellent band. Not as excellent as the Super Furry Animals, Stereophonics, Gorky's Zygotic Munki or the very wonderful Manics, I grant you.
Having visited Edinburgh and lived about 50 miles north of London for 3 years, I think each has it's own appeal. London has the bright lights, big city feel even as it surrounds you with historical monuments. My visit to Edinburgh made me feel as though I'd walked through a door into a different era. I loved them both.
Having visited Edinburgh and lived about 50 miles north of London for 3 years, I think each has it's own appeal. London has the bright lights, big city feel even as it surrounds you with historical monuments. My visit to Edinburgh made me feel as though I'd walked through a door into a different era. I loved them both.
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