Is there anywhere in the world I can avoid British culture?

Is there anywhere in the world I can avoid British culture?

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Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Vaud said:
I think the point is that the UK has a strong "pub" culture.

Having lived in Switzerland as well I see his point in the differences - they are more family / activity orientated. Sure they drink but it is at the periphery rather than central to a night out, as anyone who has been out in say, Geneva will see.

Talk of weekends tend to be "we went skiing / to the lake / to France / the park" rather than "went to the pub on Friday night and then, etc"
That is precisely it! They seem to talk about a variety of things rather than just the one. Saying that Switzerland is far too expensive to live in nowadays- I was thinking Canada but clearly this is going to be much harder.

Puggit

48,355 posts

247 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Stuart70 said:
I lived in Milan for three years and found the change in culture enjoyable.

The people that I knew would enjoy wine or a beer with a meal, but the idea of being drunk was not attractive to them. From my observation (as a 30 something) that is the Italian culture.
Try the Oktoberfest in Munich - rammed with stfaced Italians!

DrDoofenshmirtz

15,186 posts

199 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Try Leicester?

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
quotequote all
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
Try Leicester?
It appears most major UK city are the same- it's only perhaps the more educated people who have a tendency to drink less. But what about the general mass?

Xaero

4,060 posts

214 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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If you're looking for anywhere in the world, how about Syria?

Even down in the antarctic there will be scientists in a cable in a snow storm getting st faced I imagine.

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Leicesterdave said:
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
Try Leicester?
It appears most major UK city are the same- it's only perhaps the more educated people who have a tendency to drink less. But what about the general mass?
There isn't anywhere of any size in northern europe where people don't drink a lot.

But is it really that hard to avoid?

I think you need to move somewhere relatively remote, or find a job somewhere non-hell-raisers work. Like a library, SAGA, or computer-game developers.


Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Northern Iraq.

So what do you do for fun?

Vaud

50,290 posts

154 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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SpeckledJim said:
There isn't anywhere of any size in northern europe where people don't drink a lot.
Not true. Or rather, they do drink but it is not the centre focus of the activity. People in the UK go out to get drunk.

Italians do drink, but it is over a 4hr meal.
Same for the Swiss example.

stuttgartmetal

8,108 posts

215 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Surrey

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
quotequote all
I do drink- but I enjoy it, I don't just knock it back. And I enjoy it with a nice meal. I like a restaurant. Not spending huge amounts of money standing up in a bar with loads of teenagers enjoying their first night out.

ApOrbital

9,942 posts

117 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Move to afghanistan nice people and weather.

king arthur

6,538 posts

260 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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SpeckledJim said:
find a job somewhere non-hell-raisers work. Like a library, SAGA, or computer-game developers.
Erm...I used to be a computer game developer and we would get stfaced every Friday - and that was just the lunchtimes.

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Rotherham or Bradford.

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
quotequote all
Hooli said:
Rotherham or Bradford.
Just why???

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Leicesterdave said:
Hooli said:
Rotherham or Bradford.
Just why???
Ever been?

Mercury00

4,098 posts

155 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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I've had this in every job I've been in. Someone once said to me "Eh, you don't drink?? You're not into kids are you?" people really do think you're strange if you don't drink. I have very few friends because of the fact I've rarely met people who don't want to sit in a social club every night of their life or go into town for a fight and kebab. Luckily my girlfriend isn't big on drinking so we spend our money on day trips to interesting places and meals out instead.

MGJohn

10,203 posts

182 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Leicesterdave said:
....I was born in Sheffield but moved to Switzerland aged 2. Grew up there, but always dreamnt of going back to Britain. I don't know why, I was obsessed with the place. I finally did that, in 99- living with my grandparents at the age of 16. I loved it at first- it was different- I was young- and it was a great experience at the time. However as I grew up I noticed that I just didn't really gel that well with people. One of the huge issues I have here is the drinking culture, it's literally everywhere.

No matter what job I've had, all people talk about here is friday nights and booze and what's happened to them over the years whilst they were I quote 'stfaced'. I find it ok for a time but when it's what most people talk about constantly it gets boring.

The culture by and large is very 'laddy' and somehow if you don't fit in you're considered a bit of a weido and recluse. "What you don't get drunk? but what do you do for fun?".

I'm now nearly 33 and have had enough- is there anywhere out there where most people are just 'normal'?
Yes, that is sad. You can do something about it though. Yes, I mean you!

I've often been thought of as a weirdo or recluse thanks to a lifelong near obsession with cars and other stuff which interest me. No matter.

Think it maybe age related. My circle of friends never do things like that. May have a pint of shandy if driving on a Quiz night out. Never more. We all drive and value our licence. But then I and most of them are up to twice your age. I recently retired and noticed some colleagues much younger than I would seize any excuse to go "dahn the pub" at lunchtime or after work. Back in the 1960s when I was in my early twenties, few youngsters seemed so obsessed. One or two only were.

There have been many "culture" changes both within jobs and living styles in the last fifty years. Maybe many boring jobs available to younger folks today mean come Friday drive them to .. drink .. smile

My two sons, 26 and 30, are frequently asked to meet friends at the local pubs. Often once or twice a week. They do not drink much as both value their driving licences. I hope they do not acquire the "must have a drink" habit. They drink plenty of tea at home though. .. smile

You need to widen your areas of interest. Join some local club or other society which interests you. For example, join a local amateur dramatic society will bring you into contact with a wide range of folks who have other interests. You may develop good friendships and even find you have a talent and enjoy the experience.

Just think and take stock. It's all out there.

Finally, only read this first post. Now will read some replies.

TEKNOPUG

18,844 posts

204 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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The top 14 countries in the world, by litres of alcohol consumed per capita, are all European.

The UK, is 15th, joint with Switzerland...

Living in the UK isn't your issue; it's your work and social circle that is the problem. Only YOU can change that.

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
quotequote all
TEKNOPUG said:
The top 14 countries in the world, by litres of alcohol consumed per capita, are all European.

The UK, is 15th, joint with Switzerland...

Living in the UK isn't your issue; it's your work and social circle that is the problem. Only YOU can change that.
As said before, it doesn't matter what area you're in, and with what 'classes' you work with it. Since I've been here, from aged 16 all I've heard is the same rubbish about drinking. Having spent 17 years here, I think it's safe to say I have a fair idea of how the UK works. Having gone back to Switzerland and France to family I can tell you that things over there are very different.

Don't get me wrong. There's some great things about the UK- but the heavy drinking culture isn't one of them.

StuntmanMike

11,671 posts

150 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Try Bradford, I hear you have a special fondness for the place..rofl