Southerners & Northeners, do we really hate each other?
Discussion
This question is inspired by a comment in another thread (someone called someone else a "jumped up Southern pr*ck").
I'm aware of the concept of the North/South Divide, which in some cases is real, in other is not, and I know there's a certain level of joshing between the "posh/cockney w*nkers" and "northern monkeys" but I wasn't really aware of such underlying, almost racist vitriol, or any trait or prejudice it is based on.
Personally, I was born, bred and still live near London. I guess I speak with a southern accent which tells you where I come from. I love going to Yorks, Lancs, Cumbria etc as there certainly is a different vibe in the cities and some great countryside. I also love the south, the south coast, the West country, and our capital, London.
I also see that many people are free and able to travel and live in different parts of the country form where they were born.
So what and why is it about Southeners that wind up Northeners? And what is it about Northeners that gets up Southeners noses?
I'm aware of the concept of the North/South Divide, which in some cases is real, in other is not, and I know there's a certain level of joshing between the "posh/cockney w*nkers" and "northern monkeys" but I wasn't really aware of such underlying, almost racist vitriol, or any trait or prejudice it is based on.
Personally, I was born, bred and still live near London. I guess I speak with a southern accent which tells you where I come from. I love going to Yorks, Lancs, Cumbria etc as there certainly is a different vibe in the cities and some great countryside. I also love the south, the south coast, the West country, and our capital, London.
I also see that many people are free and able to travel and live in different parts of the country form where they were born.
So what and why is it about Southeners that wind up Northeners? And what is it about Northeners that gets up Southeners noses?
Edited by prand on Wednesday 11th August 11:03
A lot of the resentment comes from the, nothing exists outside of the M25 mentality. A case in point being the Congestion Charge and the Mayor of London. They are two things which are often all over the news but have literally no impact outside of London. I don't have a clue who our mayor is but I know the last two London Mayors!
But it isn't a real hatred generally, and it becomes less so when people have actually travelled.
But it isn't a real hatred generally, and it becomes less so when people have actually travelled.
I was leaving Scots/Welsh/Irish out of this discussion as they seem to have good reason to dislike the English.
My thinking is that humans are totally tribal. And tribal from the home, family, race town, region, country adn so on. Therefore between any different groups, there there will be rivalry/conflict. It's nature, darwin and the herd mentality all in one I guess.
My thinking is that humans are totally tribal. And tribal from the home, family, race town, region, country adn so on. Therefore between any different groups, there there will be rivalry/conflict. It's nature, darwin and the herd mentality all in one I guess.
Nobody down South gives a damn about the whole North/South thing. It's just not on Southerner's radars and you never hear it mentioned. It's only Northerners who make it an issue for some inexplicable reason.
Southerner meeting a Northerner: "Hello"
Northerner meeting a Southerner: "Oh, a Southerner"
Southerner meeting a Northerner: "Hello"
Northerner meeting a Southerner: "Oh, a Southerner"
number2301 said:
A lot of the resentment comes from the, nothing exists outside of the M25 mentality. A case in point being the Congestion Charge and the Mayor of London. They are two things which are often all over the news but have literally no impact outside of London. I don't have a clue who our mayor is but I know the last two London Mayors!
But it isn't a real hatred generally, and it becomes less so when people have actually travelled.
Good point. 20 million odd people in Greater Londond would be interested, but there's still 40mill who perhaps don't care too much. News like this would annoy me after a short while.But it isn't a real hatred generally, and it becomes less so when people have actually travelled.
So the BBC are addressing this by moving big chunks of its operation to Salford. I hear it's going well too...
wiffmaster said:
Nobody down South gives a damn about the whole North/South thing. It's just not on Southerner's radars and you never hear it mentioned. It's only Northerners who make it an issue for some inexplicable reason.
Southerner meeting a Northerner: "Hello"
Northerner meeting a Southerner: "Oh, a Southerner"
Southerner meeting a Northerner: "Hello"
Northerner meeting a Southerner: "Oh, a Southerner"
yeah right.You clearly weren't at DD's last month were you?
I have no reason to dislike anyone in any of the 4 nations.
But i do feel that south is where the money is and that has a tendancy to breed more silver spoon/upper class types.
Where as those up north don't idolise that sort of thing and measure there wealth in pigs,sheep,cows and how many pints of real ale they have.
But i do feel that south is where the money is and that has a tendancy to breed more silver spoon/upper class types.
Where as those up north don't idolise that sort of thing and measure there wealth in pigs,sheep,cows and how many pints of real ale they have.
number2301 said:
A lot of the resentment comes from the, nothing exists outside of the M25 mentality
This. The whole thing is usually just banter - I get it all the time from old Uni mates, just a bit of fun and io thin anyone with half a braint can understand that.
But the only really serious feelings come from whats just been said. The UK is NOT 'LONDON'.
For example - the whole public transport thing - I'm well aware than in London there are fifteen million buses, stinking trains running through the drains to every street corner, and commuting for 8 hours a day is acceptable.
The majority of UK citizens do not live in London! Theres a real world outside of that little patch of south-east England - we 'd appreciate it if we were considered occasionally.
Dupont666 said:
what about those northerners that infiltrated the south and taken over the jobs there cause they are better than the southern fairies?
Well, if there is a genuine shortage of fairies, it's only fair the cave dwellers of the barbarian lands get a crack at bettering themselves.
I don't hate Southerners. I was born and bred in the North-West, but I've travelled and worked all over the country. Maybe that's why I don't hate them, because I've experienced working in London and therefore understand the attraction and what it's 'all about'?
I do think though, that some 'Londoners' would benefit greatly from spending a few months outside of that bubble if they don't do so regularly already. The UK has some beautiful places, a lot of them north of the Watford Gap.
I do think though, that some 'Londoners' would benefit greatly from spending a few months outside of that bubble if they don't do so regularly already. The UK has some beautiful places, a lot of them north of the Watford Gap.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff