JohnnyFlash wrote: » Belfast is an interesting city to spend a day or two in, but it certainly isn’t a lovely city. It has that grotty and gritty vibe that you also find in places like Holyhead, Hull, and Blackpool.
The Satanist wrote: » I always found the Titanic thing baffling. It's a giant moment to failure. They should be ashamed of the shoddy workmanship.
BDI wrote: » I have found from my time in the building trade that northern Irish people are the most likely people to tell you they seen a gay person the night before in a pub they were in. Dublin is shocking bad for it apparently. Of course I have seen or heard of people from all over the country being homophobic but in work at 10 in the morning, eating a breakfast roll and worrying about Dublin’s soul.
Carry wrote: » I used to live in Belfast for about 16 months (pre and around the GFA) and had the time of my life. The people were friendly and welcoming and have a very black sense of humour which I like in general, and they know how to party, boy do they know.... Of course there are some places in Belfast where knuckledragging is prevailant, especially in the strictly protestant areas, likewise in some places in the countryside. But the nationalist/catholic side always proved to be very lively. I had great nights out in West Belfast, also in Crossmaglen where you really can meet some characters. Though I had the advantage to be not Irish hence was considered as harmless and non-partisan. I visited Belfast even years after I moved down south and whenever I popped into my former local the barmen greeted me by name as if I've just gone for a couple of weeks. Belfast as a city has improved big time, though it's still not a beauty but neither is Dublin.
JohnnyFlash wrote: » I’ve had the misfortune of being up North for the past 2 days. Now we all know about the terrible roads, the flags, the grey and dilapidated towns, the run down chippers and off-licences everywhere; the lousy sense of humour, the shocking standard of basic spelling and grammar skills amongst the people, the depressing murals, and so on and so forth. What baffles me the most though is how dour the people are up here. It’s not exactly rudeness or unfriendliness either, but this aura they give off. Like the weight of the world is on their ample shoulders (obesity is a real problem up here as well). Life appears to be lacking in any levity or zest for them. Where a smile looks like it’s causing them some discomfort. Has anyone noticed this as well? I mean we can all go speculating as to the reasons for it, but that’s the sort of uninteresting thread best suited to boring oddball obsessives in the current affairs forum. I’m looking for us to share experiences of meeting, conversing, and dealing with dour Nordies.
Hamsterchops wrote: » Its a Scottish trait isn't it?
Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: » So big lad,are you a catholic non-partisan or a protestant non-partisan?
Woke Hogan wrote: » At least Belfast has an excuse for looking like a bomb site.
EmmetSpiceland wrote: » I’m sure there’s some lovely “spots” up there, probably hard to find, but one place that should be, particularly, avoided is “Portadown”. A town full of ignorance and malice..
Carry wrote: » Whom are you addressing with "big lad" regarding my previous post?
Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: » Hmm something smells fishy about your story of living in the North if you've never heard the phrase "big lad".
Noa Mealy Ump wrote: » 75 years living along the border. Up north at least once a week and often holidaying there, plus children and grandchildren living there and I've never heard anybody use the phrase.
Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: » Really? You haven't spent much time in Belfast so.
Noa Mealy Ump wrote: » You've made my point. No I have visited for maybe four days a year. Neither do I spend much time in Dublin or Limerick and may not have heard some of their colloquialisms. You doubt a poster lived in the North and had not heard the term. You did not specify it was used in Belfast - and even then only part of Belfast. There's a whole other North outside parts of Belfast.
Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: » Thanks for the geography lesson there Srameen but I do happen know about the other parts of the north considering I grew up in a town with parts on both sides of the border.
