JADAV

There is a phenomenon in the South East of England where the problems described in the programme can be seen to exist. London draws ambitious money-making people to work there from all over the British Isles for weighted salaries. They buy homes throughout the commuter belt and travel in daily possibly with the same group of others without even speaking to them for years on end. The dislocation from their earlier life allows them to re-invent themselves usually with greatly exaggerated origins and are very largely living a lie. They must live in constant fear of being found out and as a result retreat from unnecessary social contact. They do concentrate on boosting their status wherever they feel that they may gain advantage. The people actually born in London and Home Counties remain within their family circumstances and are true to their origins.

The rest of the population of Britain are happy to be rid of these undesirable characters and regard London as almost another country. I wonder if there is a similar "New York" phenomenon? I've found that people are normally warm and friendly throughout the country but must say that the North of England has a particular reputation for friendliness. My wife likes the reception she finds in Manchester and says that it is a place that "wraps it's arms around you" and people say " Hello, love" in greeting.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

I hope you have your waders on.

JADAV

No need for waders, thanks. Last night's rainfall was very localised and due to the postponed football match has received wide news broadcast. Temperatures have been at record levels for September and I was working in the garden today without a shirt. I'll stop there before becoming labelled a "typical Brit" with the weather as the only topic.

Boentgru Loc: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

My company sent me to help our English operation for a few weeks. Some things which hit me were:
1. Driving on the left side of the road was not natural for me, and going clockwise around rotaries (roundabouts) was also unnatural, espeiclally at night when no one was sharing the road.
2. Getting into the driver's seat on the right wasn't master by me; I'd instinctively head for the left side.
3. When crossing the road, remember, danger on the right.
4. After three weeks, I thought I needed a haircut but couldn't remember seeing a barber shop in my travels.
5. The few people I asked for directions were kind but seemed to be taken aback that someone they didnt know would address them.
6. During lunch and the afternoon break, being Mother (getting the tea) was appreciated by the colleagues.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

It depends.I tried to talk to a 20 year old blond the other day but she wasn't very chatty.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I'll pass the time of day with anyone and generally get a good response but I am older . Perhaps younger people are more inhibited. Having a dog breaks the ice too. Also, there are variances between different parts of the country, Northerners tend to be more friendly than southerners but I think, on the whole, we are a fairly reserved nation.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Dear boy; The waders were not meant for the weather. Would better be taken to wade through a load of S..T

mdfenton

I could not find "Very British Problems" listed in Netflix.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

There are talkers and there are doers we used to say but then we found we had to add another category. Travelers!

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

I was born in London; so were my mum and dad. My mother will talk to anyone. Even now in Australia, if I take her shopping she will strike up a conversation with anyone - shop assistants, kids, total strangers, even dogs; so an ordinarily hour's outing might in fact take several. I'm surprised she doesn't bring strangers home for a cup of tea!

pc39

Is it not a question of space - or "lebensraum"? In very crowded areas - or areas of dense population, people will try to preserve their own small area of privacy
For example, on the London Underground (railway) which very frequently is grossly overcrowded, nobody ever talks to anybody.
In the open countryside, where there is more room, frequently talk to each other. People will, of course, talk to strangers who have a common interest. As a f'rinstance, I go out birding several times a week. Other birders are easy to recognise, even if they are strangers. Any birder, stranger, or otherwise, will talk to me.

Perhaps someone with a knowledge of behavioural science would write in on this matter. I very much should be interested.

PC39

PS I am, of course, English, and when necessary, can produce the jolly old upper stiff lip!.

In the US of A the population density is very much less, so that, by and large, Americans don't feel the need to preserve their own small area of privacy.

JADAV

collhart wrote:
"Dear boy; The waders were not meant for the weather. Would better be taken to wade through a load of S..T"

Haha. Such a condescending address from a former "bean counter" in NYC! The waders, however, may actually be useful for my next trip to London; as you suggest. I'm sorry to have misunderstood your reference to waders but we are used to speaking more directly in the North and call a "spade a spade and a shovel a shovel". The latter is normally used to deal with all the "S..T" that we get dealt from London.

From the strength of your opinion I can only presume that you have experience of living and working in London, have friends and family resident there and hence personal direct experience.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One episode was about the many problems Brits face at Christmas. I was surprised that they made no mention of the paper hats and crackers that are an English tradition.

Jackdoor Loc: Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

Agreed. I'm originally a southerner but moved to Yorkshire for university training. No difference! My son recently moved south to Wiltshire from the north. No difference! In my experience, only London is different- crowded and busy-busy. We shouldn't complain, as that's where much of the UK GDP is generated- good luck to them.

Jackdoor Loc: Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

One thing I've not seen mentioned. I think Brits are unusual in their modesty- boasting is almost a capital offence. Most high earners are very coy about that, except those that need to buy compensation cars and the like. And that's a whole 'nother topic!