What are the people of Europe saying? Anecdotaly.

[minimoog]

TheGuru said:

I've worked in Belgium previously, it's not without it's problems. In most respects Britain is a far more consumer oriented country, and also a lot more free and efficient in terms of things like industrial relations/HR etc. We are far more American than all of Europe

By 'free and efficient' and more American do you mean more willing and able to deny workers employment rights?

[Speed 3]

REALIST123 said:

Speed 3 said:

REALIST123 said:

Speed 3 said:

Dutch friend living in Switzerland when I asked him if he thought the Netherlands would be next (verbatim):

"Hope not. Our trading and transport driven economy is even more dependent on 1 EU, open borders. Also we as europeans only stand a chance to face the world issues is we stick together. Falling apart wont make it easier, but even worse. Not a big fan of politics, but even less of populism. History has shown what this can lead to (not much good). Had to smile at some of the comments made yesterday, like a Canadian who said 'GB once invaded and rules 90% of the world and is now afraid of immigrants' ;-)"

Why does he live in Switzerland?

For work, not politics.

Can't be get a job within the EU? And what does he think about the various referendums where the Dutch have voted against EU proposals, though they've generally been ignored, and the huge level of disappointment with the EU amongst his fellow countrymen?

Not that simple in our industry but I wouldn't be surprised if he changed countries again soon, again not through politics. Don't think he's against his countries democratic rights, just putting his personal views to me.

[Johnnytheboy]

Dutch lorry driver pre-vote virtually begged me to vote leave, as he was convinced we'd start a trend and he wanted out.

[Pints]

deltaevo16 said:

I welcome your enlightenment

It's a service I offer. This time it's free.

[Beati Dogu]

REALIST123 said:

Well, at least Merkel is talking some sense now. No need to be nasty, no rush and talks need to be held in an objective, good climate and not focused on trying to deter others from leaving.

Perhaps her unions and businesses have had a word?

More likely Putin did. She's clearly a Russian asset.

[Beati Dogu]

Johnnytheboy said:

Dutch lorry driver pre-vote virtually begged me to vote leave, as he was convinced we'd start a trend and he wanted out.

The game has begun...

[Randy Winkman]

sunbeam alpine said:

Randy Winkman said:

Without wanting to hi-jack the thread, what about UK nationals in other EU countries? How do they feel?

I'm currently living and working in Belgium (nothing to do with EU).

I am a bit concerned as I have to renew my "permission to stay" in October (have to do this every 5 years) - and I don't know what will happen.

I'm currently assuming that nothing much will have changed and I'll get another 5 years. They may take the view that the UK has 2 years to leave and only give me that.

I'm more concerned about my driving licence. I'm currently driving on a UK driving licence, which is fine over here - in fact, they advised me not to exchange it because if I did I'd only get a basic Belgian car licence which meant I would have to start taking tests for towing trailers, something I do very regularly.

Had dinner with friends in Brussels yeaterday, and it was a very interesting discussion. There was a sense of amazement and disappointment that the UK is leaving.

One of my friends, who is very active in Belgian politics and has regular interaction with the EU made a very interesting (and possibly controversial) comment. He said that one of the greatest challenges facing the EU is achieving any sort of change. Because of the way it is structured, every member has equal voting rights, and it has proved pretty much impossible to get agreement for many things. It only needs one member to use their veto, and the whole process gets put on hold. He said that there is an argument for a "core" group of countries to take a lead to get reforms passed, but this would of course be much less "democratic".

Cheers. Perhaps I should have said that my brother lives in Sweden and rather has the feeling the Brits could end up as the black sheep of Europe. He has always enjoyed the feeling that he is there as an equal. Whether it actually has a practical impact remains to be seen of course.

[JMGS4]

Beati Dogu said:

re: Merkel She's clearly a Russian asset.

BTW She's known in certain circle in Germany as Honecker's Revenge!!!

[JMGS4]

Have been speaking to many here in Germany, there are broadly speaking 2 POVs
1. Well done, we never had the vote, you've shown those wasters in Brussels about democracy....and
2. You "Island monkeys" (Inselaffen) were never part of the EU, always wanting something extra, new deals always blocking unity, etc, glad you're out so WE can continue with unifying Europe as we are the leaders of Europe (note the German all-inclusive WE, does sound a bit like Hun overbearing to me!)

[danllama]

Let them crack on

Good luck getting NL, Denmark etc in line.

[Puggit]

sunbeam alpine said:

I am a bit concerned as I have to renew my "permission to stay" in October (have to do this every 5 years) - and I don't know what will happen.

Excuse me!? You have a UK passport, right?

[motco]

JMGS4 said:

Have been speaking to many here in Germany, there are broadly speaking 2 POVs
1. Well done, we never had the vote, you've shown those wasters in Brussels about democracy....and
2. You "Island monkeys" (Inselaffen) were never part of the EU, always wanting something extra, new deals always blocking unity, etc, glad you're out so WE can continue with unifying Europe as we are the leaders of Europe (note the German all-inclusive WE, does sound a bit like Hun overbearing to me!)

It's a bit like grabbing all the property in Monopoly. You impoverish everyone else and hold all the 'cards' but there's nobody else left in the game. A hollow victory.

[Beati Dogu]

JMGS4 said:

Beati Dogu said:

re: Merkel She's clearly a Russian asset.

BTW She's known in certain circle in Germany as Honecker's Revenge!!!

That doesn't surprise me. She was propaganda chief of East Germany's youth outfit, the Free German Youth for a while. I know she speaks Russian.

Incidentally, Putin was a KGB liaison officer in East Germany and speaks fluent German.

[Countdown]

Putin very happy at the way the referendum has panned out....

http://news.sky.com/story/1716988/brexit-few-will-...

[grumbledoak]

Countdown said:

Putin very happy at the way the referendum has panned out....

http://news.sky.com/story/1716988/brexit-few-will-...

Do you understand the difference between Putin saying "I'm very happy with the way that this turned out" and a Sky journalist writing "I bet Putin will be happy"?

The BBC and Sky seem to still be campaigning for Remain. Someone should tell them that the vote was last Thursday.


ETA- the comments are amusing, so thanks for the link anyway.

Edited by grumbledoak on Sunday 26th June 18:51

[karma mechanic]

An Italian taxi driver in Bergamo was quite happy to give his thoughts yesterday. In his opinion Italians hate the EU but they can't afford to leave even if it was an option.
As we moved away from politics it transpired he wasn't a football fan (and nor am I) so his chosen subject for the journey was Moto GP - much more interesting...

[anonymous-user]

karma mechanic said:

An Italian taxi driver in Bergamo was quite happy to give his thoughts yesterday. In his opinion Italians hate the EU but they can't afford to leave even if it was an option.
As we moved away from politics it transpired he wasn't a football fan (and nor am I) so his chosen subject for the journey was Moto GP - much more interesting...

I was in Greece last week talking to a young chap who has a few more months work then he's finished and is planning to come either to the UK or the USA. He reckoned the greeks mostly think as your man did. They're fked and need to stay now but wish they'd never joined or got out when they had something left. He did accept that they'd been architects of their own fate to some extent.

[Otispunkmeyer]

JMGS4 said:

Have been speaking to many here in Germany, there are broadly speaking 2 POVs
1. Well done, we never had the vote, you've shown those wasters in Brussels about democracy....and
2. You "Island monkeys" (Inselaffen) were never part of the EU, always wanting something extra, new deals always blocking unity, etc, glad you're out so WE can continue with unifying Europe as we are the leaders of Europe (note the German all-inclusive WE, does sound a bit like Hun overbearing to me!)

If thats how he they spoke...rather worrisome. You do begin to understand why some people think Germany, through the EU, are finishing the job....but with creeping bureaucracy and paper work instead of guns and bullets.

I am sure its not like that in reality, just a few nut cases who think thats how its going down in their heads.

[Sylvaforever]

robbocop33 said:

tenfour said:

Nicola bd Krankie

im Scottish and she's just getting embarassing,even when she kept on bringing up the Scottish referendum during the Eu referendum she was,as some politician put it the other day,'miopic',she's just obsessed about Scottish Independence.

And don't forget the rapid headshake when ANY interview goes 1 iota away from what has been cleared...

[Beati Dogu]

Sylvaforever said:

And don't forget the rapid headshake when ANY interview goes 1 iota away from what has been cleared...

I call her Bobblehead. She has no idea how annoying it is.

This is her theme tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19u8-0Hxr04