Why are the English no craic.

failinis

Moved here about 3yrs ago and find it very hard to relate to any of them which I found a shock because I assumed it would be okay as its just the neighbouring country and consumed a lot of their media growing up.

Turns out only close friends have been internationals/europeans and English "friends" I have are at such a superfical level. There is one in particular that I think if she was not English I would be very close friends (or maybe if I changed etc) but we have the same level or connection you have to a quick fart.

I mannaged to get "excommunicated" from my family just in time for Christmas so spent a **** day alone over here and made me refect upon how little links to the culture or people here.

I am grand and very thakful for my interational friends here and would not change it for the world. But I just find it bizare how locked out I feel to the English groups here. Not a serious thread at all just - why cant I have the craic with these dry people? I cant be the only one having experienced this .

aziz

Maybe it's you and not them

Your Face

A lot of denial in that post.

worded

Some English are craictose intolerant

I can’t get some english humour like the office and morcom and wise Years ago, WTF was going on there ?

Alt Black adder etc was great

Could you find a better ground of English to hang out with?

FortuneChip

How frequent are these quick farts?

failinis

Your Face wrote: »

A lot of denial in that post.

I prefer here to NI but Id say mostly due to family issues and lower job prospects.
Id say I am here by choice but I dont know it I am happy. Happier. But not happy.

worded wrote: »

Some English are craictose intolerant

I can’t get some english humour like the office and morcom and wise Years ago, WTF was going on there ?

Alt Black adder etc was great

Could you find a better ground of English to hang out with?

Finishing a degree in a smaller town and hoping to move to a bigger city once I graduate. There is such a small circle of people here I wonder if I just dont click.
Or if the issue is me not them.

I cant be such a tool if I have close friends from other places. I think I just cant read the social rules and cues in english friendships.

circadian

Where about are ye? I found Yorkshire a tough nut to crack but made some solid mates in the end.

Rumple Stillson

Not a dig but if you're from Northern Ireland, they might find it difficult to understand what you're saying?

Tom Mann Centuria

Depends how small the town is, where abouts in England OP is, type of degree they're doing (as I'm sure type of course affects cross section of society you might meet) and probably loads of other variables.

Bob Harris

English people don't have the craic. They have the bantz.
Start having a bit of banter and soon you'll have more pals and mates than you can shake a stick at.

circadian

Rumple Stillson wrote: »

Not a dig but if you're from Northern Ireland, they might find it difficult to understand what you're saying?

You'd be surprised at how well understood us Nordies can be.

FTA69

Living in London ten years, some Home Counties middle class types can have a stick up their holes alright and can be a bit reserved in comparison to us but in the whole, such stereotypes are not all-encompassing. Take people as you find them and make friends as the situation warrants. Overthinking this sort of stuff will do you no favours.

FTA69

Rumple Stillson wrote: »

Not a dig but if you're from Northern Ireland, they might find it difficult to understand what you're saying?

Forget that sh*t as well. They have as much difficulty understanding people with thick West of Ireland or Cork accents or wherever. Most of them can’t even differentiate as to whether someone’s from the north or south either.

NIMAN

The Irish and the English are 2 completely different races of people.

Strange considering how close we are too in terms of proximity on a world scale.

Jawgap

I had two stints living in England - first time was in London and it was pretty rubbish. Everything revolved around work and the after-work scene was good fun, but beyond that it was a pretty soulless existance.

Second stint was working in Leeds with occasional forays to Newcastle, York and Durham - fúcking brilliant......lots to do and see. Easier to play sport and be part of a club, easier to move around, more affordable cost of living! Had a great time. "ooop north" really is a different country compared to the southeast and much closer to the Irish outlook on life.

Got sent to Germany for 8 months during that second stint and spent the time wondering what I'd done to deserve such punishment (actually, it wasn't that bad, just different).

Kintarō Hattori

I worked with an American firm that had offices in Dublin and London. Several times a year we'd head to London and to be honest, they were mostly grand. Sure there was your pretentious types and those who thought they were too cool for the rest of us but by and large they were grand.

Dakota Dan

Rumple Stillson wrote: »

Not a dig but if you're from Northern Ireland, they might find it difficult to understand what you're saying?

Did you ever try talking to anyone in the U.K. Midlands? They seem to be speaking a different language.

worded

Your Face wrote: »

A lot of denial in that post.

AKA River in Egypt syndrome

HalloweenJack

You're meeting the wrong English people. I've met plenty of sound English people over the years and a few of them I'd consider among my closest friends.

Sure, there are plenty of twats, same as in any country. As for the stereotype about them being dry ****es... again, I think you're meeting the wrong English people. They can be great craic.

ouxbbkqtswdfaw

Why are the English no Craic? Because they are not Irish!

worded

FortuneChip wrote: »

How frequent are these quick farts?

+1

Also if you can’t smell them consider an operation on your nose

sbsquarepants

worded wrote: »

Some English are craictose intolerant

Ha ha, I love this phrase, I'm going to "borrow" it.

I'm kind of with you OP, but it's probably your own fault - they can probably smell the disdain off you. Best to finish off that degree and get back to base ASAP. Craic awaits:D

whisky_galore

0tcyv2n1m538f6 wrote: »

Why are the English no Craic? Because they are not Irish!

Ironically 'craic' isn't even a word of Irish origin. It's a loanword from English...

wexandproud

circadian wrote: »

You'd be surprised at how well understood us Nordies can be.

don't know about that , iv'e been married to one for the last 29 years and sometimes i still can't understand her

failinis

failinis wrote: »

There is one in particular that I think if she was not English I would be very close friends (or maybe if I changed etc) but we have the same level or connection you have to a quick fart.

The bitter irony is...you're in the home of fart humour...

Hector Bellend

London is my favourite city outside Ireland precisely because I've never lived there.

I'd like to keep it that way.

mad muffin

Coming from Perth Western Australia. I lived in London for two years. I came away shell shocked.

Hector Bellend

mad muffin wrote: »

Coming from Perth Western Australia. I lived in London for two years. I came away shell shocked.

What happened?

mad muffin

Hector Bellend wrote: »

What happened?

I worked in retail...

seamus

The real answer here is the fact that they're living "at home" and you're not. They have friends and family that go back decades, they don't need any new ones. If they want a pint and some craic they'll go meet their mates in the local, not go out for pints with colleagues to talk shop all night.

The other immigrants are in your boat - no support network - and so are much more eager to reach out and form new friendships.

Although also, if your family told you not to come home for Xmas of all times, I suspect you may have other issues in effectively dealing with people.

BrokenArrows

failinis wrote: »

Moved here about 3yrs ago and find it very hard to relate to any of them which I found a shock because I assumed it would be okay as its just the neighbouring country and consumed a lot of their media growing up.

Turns out only close friends have been internationals/europeans and English "friends" I have are at such a superfical level. There is one in particular that I think if she was not English I would be very close friends (or maybe if I changed etc) but we have the same level or connection you have to a quick fart.

I mannaged to get "excommunicated" from my family just in time for Christmas so spent a **** day alone over here and made me refect upon how little links to the culture or people here.

I am grand and very thakful for my interational friends here and would not change it for the world. But I just find it bizare how locked out I feel to the English groups here. Not a serious thread at all just - why cant I have the craic with these dry people? I cant be the only one having experienced this .

Its not "the english". Its the fact that its always hard to break into a new group of friends.
English people are at home and they already have their group of friends. Its hard work to spend time with new people.
While you and the other internationals are both in a foreign country and looking to make new friends.

ohnonotgmail

seamus wrote: »

The real answer here is the fact that they're living "at home" and you're not. They have friends and family that go back decades, they don't need any new ones. If they want a pint and some craic they'll go meet their mates in the local, not go out for pints with colleagues to talk shop all night.

The other immigrants are in your boat - no support network - and so are much more eager to reach out and form new friendships.

Although also, if your family told you not to come home for Xmas of all times, I suspect you may have other issues in effectively dealing with people.

I regularly find myself drinking alone in an english pub when i'm away for work. Never have any problem finding somebody to have a chat and a laugh with.

Berserker

failinis wrote: »

I mannaged to get "excommunicated" from my family just in time for Christmas so spent a **** day alone over here and made me refect upon how little links to the culture or people here.

A very interesting section of your post.

worded wrote: »

I can’t get some english humour like the office and morcom and wise Years ago, WTF was going on there?

Do you like every Irish comedian? I like some Irish comedians but I don't find others, Jason Byrne for example, funny in the slightest.

Bob Harris wrote: »

English people don't have the craic. They have the bantz. Start having a bit of banter and soon you'll have more pals and mates than you can shake a stick at.

I agree. English people tend to be more reserved than Irish people. I've loads of Irish born friends in England and they've made a good number of friends over there and they love living there. I've lived here for 30 years and I still can't get my head round "having the craic". I've given up trying to understand at this stage.

AlphabetCards

FTA69 wrote: »

Living in London ten years, some Home Counties middle class types can have a stick up their holes alright and can be a bit reserved in comparison to us but in the whole, such stereotypes are not all-encompassing. Take people as you find them and make friends as the situation warrants. Overthinking this sort of stuff will do you no favours.

Aye, I'd agree with the latter... don't over-think it.
I disagree with FTA69 on the home counties stereotype. They've been the most welcoming by far to me. I lived here working for 4 years and moved all over the UK before doing a year at a uni down south and now I'm based in the Home Counties. By and large, I've been treated brilliantly by these 'reserved types', whatever that is. I've had families practically adopt me for whole weekends, bring me to meet their extended families et cetera. The only people that don't really get along with the above are those who have a chip on their shoulder with the 'class system' over here, which is nothing to do with class/snobbery and everything to do with wealth and the shared activities people enjoy. As someone who wouldn't have had much to do with the hunt, shooting clubs or 'the right schools' back in Ireland, it's not as if I've just translated my life across from one country to the next. I've had much the same with my friends up north in Yorkshire/Northumberland, open doors and seats at tables. Everyone in England has some Irish in their blood and everyone seems to be dying to tell me all about their relatives, or the time they visited the Burren. I'd actually say that there is something of a Halo Effect with being Irish over here, the accent turns heads in workplaces, in my experience.
Overall, England and the English have been wonderfully welcoming to me. Really glad I moved over!

AlphabetCards

Actually, FTA69 can I apologise! I've been a lurker here a long time, and I'm not trying to suggest that you have a chip on your shoulder - I get that you are more Labour than tory, more hunt sab than hunt master... more rallying the workers than sipping gins in the club house, basically. I can see why you mightn't be a massive fan of a bunch of tories up to their jaunts and capers!

seamus

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I regularly find myself drinking alone in an english pub when i'm away for work. Never have any problem finding somebody to have a chat and a laugh with.

Sure, but they're already in the pub, they'll be up for a laugh. Maybe that's what the OP should do, just go to their local anyway, sit at the bar and chat to the people there.

Trying to convince a colleague to come for a pint midweek after work is much easier when they're an immigrant with no family and no old friends at home.

topper75

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I regularly find myself drinking alone in an english pub when i'm away for work. Never have any problem finding somebody to have a chat and a laugh with.

Yup - that is what I found - the pub was the contact point for newcomers.

There are some very reserved types there but ignore them - you don't need everyone to love you. There are some genuine gems out there in England too.

As an Irish person you have a huge advantage over so many other outsiders because half our culture growing up was the same as the English. You have a lot in common to begin with.

Steve F

worded wrote: »

Some English are craictose intolerant

I can’t get some english humour like the office and morcom and wise Years ago, WTF was going on there ?

Alt Black adder etc was great

Could you find a better ground of English to hang out with?

This made me burst out laughing.Go to the top of the class ,Sir
BTW I'm English

wakka12

If you can't relate to any people in a country as big as england Id say you're the problem. Theres still huge diversity of personalities within each 'culture' many of whom are different to the stereotypical cultural view of the country
Ive met dozens of english people I wouldnt say theres any very defining characteristic they all had in common other than maybe a slight kind of colonial arrogance which surprisingly does seem to crop up quite often. Nationalistic I guess, suppose brexit kind of shows theres truth to it

Rumple Stillson

circadian wrote: »

You'd be surprised at how well understood us Nordies can be.

What?

FTA69

AlphabetCards wrote: »

Actually, FTA69 can I apologise! I've been a lurker here a long time, and I'm not trying to suggest that you have a chip on your shoulder - I get that you are more Labour than tory, more hunt sab than hunt master... more rallying the workers than sipping gins in the club house, basically. I can see why you mightn't be a massive fan of a bunch of tories up to their jaunts and capers!

The streets shall run red with the blood of the gentry. (Also as it happens I used to do a spot of shooting and enjoy a gin.)

That having been said, in all seriousness I've friends from a variety of backgrounds. From crusty anarchist types to construction workers to musicians and lawyers etc; and from all over the world as well. I'm honestly as happy in the company of South American cleaners as I am with anyone else.

For the first time in years I can say my social circle is predominantly not Irish, mainly due to the fact I work in a different environment and most of my mates have either gotten married and aren't about or else f*cked off home. The thing is that London is such a transient gaff it doesn't matter who your friends are or where they're from they'll eventually go home or bugger off to Hertfordshire when they want kids.

Rumple Stillson

FTA69 wrote: »

Forget that sh*t as well. They have as much difficulty understanding people with thick West of Ireland or Cork accents or wherever. Most of them can’t even differentiate as to whether someone’s from the north or south either.

I'd say the same if the OP was from those areas also. Just found some NI accents can be very difficult. Perhaps it wouldn't be a barrier but might make things more difficult.

I'm sure English people have similar issues coming over here.

ouxbbkqtswdfaw

wexandproud wrote:

don't know about that , iv'e been married to one for the last 29 years and sometimes i still can't understand her

Only sometimes?

Skedaddle

The English are great craic! I think you were hanging around with some odd people. I lived in a London for a year and I still know people from Yorkshire and Bath, Bristol and all sorts of places that I would consider some of my best friends. Not only that but I could pick up where I left off with them, call in, go for pints, I get calls out of the blue etc etc like as if we were still all there

I really found very little difference between England and Ireland other than a few superficial and political things.

Likewise I've lived in France - same story. Good times, great craic, wonderful people and enduring friendships.

I actually know a few people who consider Ireland superficial and cliquey precisely because of the pub culture and not being so open to brining people into their homes for dinner and so on.

National stereotypes are often totally misleading and also cultural differences have to be looked past and understood sometimes. Socialising isn't identical everywhere.

For example in France, the whole ritual of greeting people is a BIG deal and people can be really left feeling you don't like them if you don't do it. You have to very deliberately greet people in situations like a waiter in a restaurant - big warm Bonjour / Bonsoir and in shops madame / Monsieur ... Make small talk etc etc and acknowledge they're human. If you don't they think you're a complete knob.

Then when you meet people it's handshakes to the guys if you're a guy and kisses on the cheek (in the air and no grabbing!) to all the women and between all the women and if you're really close buds also the guys.

Going to a party or night out you literally formally greet everyone at the table - including kissing everyone and shaking hands. You do exactly the same when you leave.

So the Irish "how's it going?" -- "grand" can seem ice cold.

worded

As an experiment two Irish two Welch two Scottish and two English were left on a small tropical island. A reporter ireturned 3 weeks later interview them all

2 Scots started a brewery, 2 Welsh and started a choir, the two Irish started a fight and the two English were waiting to be introduced

Canis Lupus

mad muffin wrote: »

Coming from Perth Western Australia. I lived in London for two years. I came away shell shocked.

You went to the Walkabout? Or just saw how your fellow Australians were away from home :P

Ipso

Canis Lupus wrote: »

You went to the Walkabout? Or just saw how your fellow Australians were away from home :P

He should have went somewhere classier like The Redback.

failinis

I have read all the replies on/off today but a bit too many to all reply to - but generally I for some reason never really thought about the English here already having their support network here/friends maybe just in different towns. 
I do consider maybe I am the issue, but I have slipped into some very good friendships with other people while being here, so I must not be a total nightmare. I think I just don't get past the slow stage of most English people and I have happened to meet many of that persuasion here. As well as the fact people who are international students do tend to be in the same boat and stick together. 
For those making digs at me not going home, I wasted over £450 (flights/train and rebookings) which was not caused by me, and also am owed £500 and been blanked by certain family members so have been having to go to bloody food banks to eat until my student loan comes in. Its certainly not an issue caused by me. Unless me purely existing is so horrific.

Your Face

Jaysus, get over yourself.

Skedaddle

FTA69 wrote: »

Living in London ten years, some Home Counties middle class types can have a stick up their holes alright and can be a bit reserved in comparison to us but in the whole, such stereotypes are not all-encompassing. Take people as you find them and make friends as the situation warrants. Overthinking this sort of stuff will do you no favours.

It's the same over here though. In the area of Dublin where my grandmother lives and also an area of Cork City I'm fairly familiar with, you can't even call the older ones by first name. It's all Mr this and Mrs that and if you park a car outside for more than a couple of days, expect to get a snotty letter!

Mr.Plough

worded wrote: »

Some English are craictose intolerant

Craictose intolerant, love that.


Overall I find them decent craic though