Is there anywhere in the world I can avoid British culture?
Discussion
....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'?
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'?
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.
Bit of a language challenge/relocation from your current life though!
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.
Bit of a language challenge/relocation from your current life though!
The rot strted whn us brits showed the Romans how to make wine. This turned the idylls of france and italy into mini UK's. germany had it worse. When we showed them what we call an Oktoberfest they went mad for it. As did belgiums with our strong beers.
See? Its all our fault. It always is. Whaever the result of the greece elections, it'll be our fault too...
See? Its all our fault. It always is. Whaever the result of the greece elections, it'll be our fault too...
Leicesterdave said:
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.
Odd. Not one of my colleagues talk about it.Sure, we go out but it's normally a mix of nationalities so as often as not it will be for Indian / Thai or similar and some will have a beer, some with have water, some will have Lassi.
Maybe change sector? India is less booze orientated, though that seems to be changing as well. North Africa?
Or Switzerland is nice
You associate with people in the "lad" culture and you will think it is everywhere.
It isn't.
Some of my friends love a drink, some don't and some don't care either way. Never any pressure to go out and have a big friday becuase there are always plenty of options to do something else.
It isn't.
Some of my friends love a drink, some don't and some don't care either way. Never any pressure to go out and have a big friday becuase there are always plenty of options to do something else.
Leicesterdave said:
loafer123 said:
It isn't the UK, it is where you live, where you work and who you know.
Maybe you have grown out of Sheffield?
I don't really think that is it much better down south is it?Maybe you have grown out of Sheffield?
My point was that you might prefer the culture in, say Cumbria or Cambridge or Edinburgh, just as much as Bristol or London.
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"
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"
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"
Sounds terribly.....Meh.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"
OP it sounds like you need to move to a different part of the UK or perhaps run with a different crowd.
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