What are the people of Europe saying? Anecdotaly.
Discussion
I've just got home from the airport, flew in from Madeira tonight. Speaking to a few Germans and French at the hotel this morning, they were laughing at us (good-natured not malicious) and were actually shocked it had gone that way. They thought very little would change, the French said they wanted rid of the Calais problem but that's understandable. The Germans (older, in their 70s) were very complimentary of the British spirit and said they thought we would always be fine no matter what we did. I can't remember exactly what phrase they used but there was definite respect there.
It was a really interesting chat, even though I was a bit stunned, I'm a remainer but it was a late decision, I was on the fence for months.
It was a really interesting chat, even though I was a bit stunned, I'm a remainer but it was a late decision, I was on the fence for months.
my dear old dad lives nest toulouse. he's been gradually disengaging front Britain and comes out with the regular expat stuff about it not being the same any more, weird as he only left five years ago.
he went straight down the mairie to become a french citizen. if he can't dig out the paperwork then I guess it's the foreign legion for him.
he went straight down the mairie to become a french citizen. if he can't dig out the paperwork then I guess it's the foreign legion for him.
davepoth said:
he thought that the needs of business would mean that solutions would be found quickly enough as governments deliberately putting roadblocks in place out of spite are rarely popular.
This is my general view of the future economic situation - commercial reality and the consumer/business markets will prevail. Politicians suddenly coming in and upsetting the status quo, blocking deals or adding tariffs that will affect both EU members and the UK will not be good for their careers at all.wilwak said:
From the BBC website:
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
"We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process."
Mrs Merkel said that because of its history, Germany has "a particular interest and a particular responsibility" to make European unity a success.
That makes it very clear that there is a "European Unification Process".
The thing is that it's highly likely that if Merkel hadn't acted with total irresponsibility in regards to the migrant crisis, inviting millions to come to Germany, that the UK would be remaining. (I don't know for sure, but I think many people have been spooked by the migrant crisis and Turkey). She has certainly contributed to the Leave campaign.Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
"We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process."
Mrs Merkel said that because of its history, Germany has "a particular interest and a particular responsibility" to make European unity a success.
That makes it very clear that there is a "European Unification Process".
I'm also very over this sanctimonious Europeans, in particular some of the unelected ones spouting their views and cloaking themselves in righteousness.
Had this lot dancing round my house this morning shouting "разкарай английски"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
karona said:
Had this lot dancing round my house this morning shouting "???????? ?????????"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
My Bulgarian is crap. Care to translate? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
Countdown said:
Other than Merkel, nobody seems that disappointed that we're leaving.
Surely, given they've lost £350 million a week, you'd expect them to be more upset?
Quite a few on the BBC world page have been complimentary, though as Juncker put it we were hardly an amicable marriage. Surely, given they've lost £350 million a week, you'd expect them to be more upset?
The £350m was b
ks and I'm not sure how many believed it?Germany is about to be the only net contributor of 27 remaining states if this forum is to be believed. More new entrants are expected next year and they will all need help.
In one of the Finance departments in one of Britain's largest companies, there's a lot of head scratching amongst the accountants (both Britons and foreigners) wondering how the hell this happened.
Even the office idiot seems upset.
Except Keith (not his real name). He's pleased as punch and will be bringing in Brexit cakes on Monday to celebrate.
This is the extent of my anecdotes.
Even the office idiot seems upset.
Except Keith (not his real name). He's pleased as punch and will be bringing in Brexit cakes on Monday to celebrate.
This is the extent of my anecdotes.
Pints said:
karona said:
Had this lot dancing round my house this morning shouting "???????? ?????????"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
My Bulgarian is crap. Care to translate? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
What I find shocking, is that the EU has said it wants the UK gone, as soon a possible, and other EU bureaucrat's, have started the` ` We will make the UK pay this' noises, but it seems that not one of them has asked the question : WHY did over half the voters in a country of over 65 million people WANT to leave the EU?
If the EU elite is so dumb, disconnected (and just plain arrogant) that they cannot even try to understand why the people of the country who form its second largest net contributor of funds in the EU, and its second largest internal market wanted to leave, then THEY really need to start examining THEMSELVES, and what THEY have done to bring this situation about.
If they don't, they will soon start seeing other EU member states going the same way as the UK, and that at least does seem to have had the effect of them starting to sh*t themselves.
For them it is not a case of we must understand what are we doing wrong, but rather a case of: we must take steps so as not let others escape from our corrupt organization.
If the EU elite is so dumb, disconnected (and just plain arrogant) that they cannot even try to understand why the people of the country who form its second largest net contributor of funds in the EU, and its second largest internal market wanted to leave, then THEY really need to start examining THEMSELVES, and what THEY have done to bring this situation about.
If they don't, they will soon start seeing other EU member states going the same way as the UK, and that at least does seem to have had the effect of them starting to sh*t themselves.
For them it is not a case of we must understand what are we doing wrong, but rather a case of: we must take steps so as not let others escape from our corrupt organization.
Edited by Pan Pan Pan on Saturday 25th June 08:13
I have two sisters in Germany, they don't understand why the UK would wish to exit the EU and I had to explain the economic and domestic political situation in the UK. I think they where still confused.
I live in New Zealand and work in banking so my coworkers watched the FTSE futures and GBP rout with great interest. One lady asked if it when was a good time to go on holiday to the UK, I said anytime in the next couple of years it should be cheap.
I live in New Zealand and work in banking so my coworkers watched the FTSE futures and GBP rout with great interest. One lady asked if it when was a good time to go on holiday to the UK, I said anytime in the next couple of years it should be cheap.
Dutchman here
Im quite sad how it turned out, because i think the political/economic fallout is gonna suck, just as we were crawling out of the last recession, this hits... Im not too worried about it directly, i know ill have a job etc.. but things will be worse then they could've been in that regard.
On the other hand, i wholeheartedly agree that the EU has gone waaay too far, both in terms of internal regulation and expansion, a more conservative EU would have been far stronger both economically and politically, but instead we are cozying up to states like Ukraine and Turkey, just "so that Putin doesnt get them!", which only weakens us further. And given the inflexibility of the EU in terms of policy, i cant blame you guys for leaving.
And finally, im absolutely baffled that such a decision is taken using a referendum where 50.1% takes it, i might get st for saying this, but i do believe a lot of people didnt understand the consequences of their vote, and while im fine with people making uninformed choices that impact themselves, this is a whole different matter, people all over the world will be affected.
Im quite sad how it turned out, because i think the political/economic fallout is gonna suck, just as we were crawling out of the last recession, this hits... Im not too worried about it directly, i know ill have a job etc.. but things will be worse then they could've been in that regard.
On the other hand, i wholeheartedly agree that the EU has gone waaay too far, both in terms of internal regulation and expansion, a more conservative EU would have been far stronger both economically and politically, but instead we are cozying up to states like Ukraine and Turkey, just "so that Putin doesnt get them!", which only weakens us further. And given the inflexibility of the EU in terms of policy, i cant blame you guys for leaving.
And finally, im absolutely baffled that such a decision is taken using a referendum where 50.1% takes it, i might get s
t for saying this, but i do believe a lot of people didnt understand the consequences of their vote, and while im fine with people making uninformed choices that impact themselves, this is a whole different matter, people all over the world will be affected.Pints said:
karona said:
Had this lot dancing round my house this morning shouting "???????? ?????????"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
My Bulgarian is crap. Care to translate? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4liEhGuSiM
"f
k off English"I have an Italian passport but I really feel 1/3 German and 1/3 French too, since university years I spent more time living there than in Italy, a more integrated EU seems the natural future outcome to me.
But while I still consider leave an antihistorical decision I am not upset by the vote. I mean, it was a clear democratic won of leave with a consistent participation of voters, so congratulations. The Remain campaign has been really poor, seen from abroad, you can't get votes spreading fear of economic recession, they should have talked more about cooperation and opportunities.
What I would like to see now is a step ahead in political and fiscal integration, maybe starting from the
founders 6 states, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and Netherlands. But I fear that is bit utopic.
At least what makes me calm is that in Italy no referendum can be made about EU remain/leave. The artile 75 of our Constitution forbid any referendum about international treaties.
But while I still consider leave an antihistorical decision I am not upset by the vote. I mean, it was a clear democratic won of leave with a consistent participation of voters, so congratulations. The Remain campaign has been really poor, seen from abroad, you can't get votes spreading fear of economic recession, they should have talked more about cooperation and opportunities.
What I would like to see now is a step ahead in political and fiscal integration, maybe starting from the
founders 6 states, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and Netherlands. But I fear that is bit utopic.
At least what makes me calm is that in Italy no referendum can be made about EU remain/leave. The artile 75 of our Constitution forbid any referendum about international treaties.
Given the music/arts background of my faceberk feed, lots of wailing and confusion about how this happeded when their bubble seemed so full of their conceited pro-eu posts, so obviously 52% of british are just stupid racists who didn't understand what they were doing. proof that leftie-lites are the same the world over; continueing to fill their bubble with whatever supports their PoV and angryly rejecting anything that dares them have to think otherwise
Had some Pizza with our Italian neighbours last night. Like many, they were shocked that we voted to leave and also a little envious that, no matter what, they will never have the option to do the same.
I'm a Scottish expat, living in a largely European community in the Middle East. The general consensus so far is that Merkel and friends ought to be really rather worried indeed: Holland, Denmark and possibly even France will start making noises about a referendum soon.
Meanwhile, north of the border, Nicola bd Krankie appears to be the only politician who wants to join Europe 
I'm a Scottish expat, living in a largely European community in the Middle East. The general consensus so far is that Merkel and friends ought to be really rather worried indeed: Holland, Denmark and possibly even France will start making noises about a referendum soon.
Meanwhile, north of the border, Nicola b
d Krankie appears to be the only politician who wants to join Europe Pan Pan Pan said:
What I find shocking, is that the EU has said it wants the UK gone, as soon a possible, and other EU bureaucrat's, have started the` ` We will make the UK pay this' noises, but it seems that not one of them has asked the question : WHY did over half the voters in a country of over 65 million people WANT to leave the EU?
If the EU elite is so dumb, disconnected (and just plain arrogant) that they cannot even try to understand why the people of the country who form its second largest net contributor of funds in the EU, and its second largest internal market wanted to leave, then THEY really need to start examining THEMSELVES, and what THEY have done to bring this situation about.
If they don't, they will soon start seeing other EU member states going the same way as the UK, and that at least does seem to have had the effect of them starting to sh*t themselves.
For them it is not a case of we must understand what are we doing wrong, but rather a case of: we must take steps so as not let others escape from our corrupt organization.
Watching various international news channels it's obvious that the Brussels mafia are sIf the EU elite is so dumb, disconnected (and just plain arrogant) that they cannot even try to understand why the people of the country who form its second largest net contributor of funds in the EU, and its second largest internal market wanted to leave, then THEY really need to start examining THEMSELVES, and what THEY have done to bring this situation about.
If they don't, they will soon start seeing other EU member states going the same way as the UK, and that at least does seem to have had the effect of them starting to sh*t themselves.
For them it is not a case of we must understand what are we doing wrong, but rather a case of: we must take steps so as not let others escape from our corrupt organization.
tting themselves, even the totally ignorant Martin Schulz said "we have to think about how we "educate" "Das Volk" (note the derogatory almost NSDAP wording) about what we're doing, and "we need to look hard at what we're doing". Same said by Hollande and various others.What a lot of Germans are saying is that they wish they'd had the chance to have their say, and Britain has given them the chance to get more democracy in the EU question.
Of course there are the idiots who are saying that border controls, customs etc are going to be re-erected etc, but nobody has mentioned that the EEC agreements on free trade will still be in place after an article 50 exit from the political union.... so NOTHING in reality is going to change apart from the Brussels Mafia being put in their place.
European unification.... Various Popes, Napoleon, Kaiser Bill and AH all wanted the same and we had to educate them otherwise... seems we're having to do the same again......
My german friends and work colleagues were shocked that the uk would self-harm to this extent.
I explained that it was mostly thick people who voted for exit, and that they always have had a persecution complex regarding mainland europe.
We see no immediate change in the short to medium term, but long term investment in the uk now has an additional hurdle to overcome.
The uk looks like a stroppy teenager doing a massive flounce because she can't have those new high heels.
I explained that it was mostly thick people who voted for exit, and that they always have had a persecution complex regarding mainland europe.
We see no immediate change in the short to medium term, but long term investment in the uk now has an additional hurdle to overcome.
The uk looks like a stroppy teenager doing a massive flounce because she can't have those new high heels.
BOR said:
My german friends and work colleagues were shocked that the uk would self-harm to this extent.
I explained that it was mostly thick people who voted for exit, and that they always have had a persecution complex regarding mainland europe.
We see no immediate change in the short to medium term, but long term investment in the uk now has an additional hurdle to overcome.
The uk looks like a stroppy teenager doing a massive flounce because she can't have those new high heels.
You Sir are a complete idiot. How long would our country have to bang it's head against a brick wall before you would consider that EU reform is impossible and therefore fundamentally incompatible with the wishes and aspirations of the UK? I explained that it was mostly thick people who voted for exit, and that they always have had a persecution complex regarding mainland europe.
We see no immediate change in the short to medium term, but long term investment in the uk now has an additional hurdle to overcome.
The uk looks like a stroppy teenager doing a massive flounce because she can't have those new high heels.
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