Is living in countryside (Villages in UK) racist

Fadileeds

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

You've been here 14 years.

You asked for our opinion and many of us with University level intelligence may not have the paper qualifications to match our intelligence level...so degrees or no degrees...that is totally irrelevant.

In any country people will need to speak the language fluently in order to fit in.

I am well aware that I will need to learn the "local idioms" in the area I am moving to in order to get fully accepted there....even though I AM English.

Fair 'nuff....it's up to me to learn said local idioms...and learn them I will.:)

No you don't. I have tried and lived it. maybe not next to you. But there are people help you if you make mistakes other will laugh. But in life time the same thing can happen to anyone.

BitterAndTwisted

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

The thing that strikes me is that you have been here 14 years and your English still isn't fluent. This is THE single biggest thing that will help you "fit in" to any community.

The thing that strikes me is that you are really bl00dy rude! If you carry on like this in real life I pity your new neighbours.

witchy1066

hazyjo wrote: »

Don't think it would make the slightest bit of difference, but then 'those sorts of people' do tend to judge on colour rather than nationality (in my opinion/experience!).

Doubt it would have any impact if you've been here 14 years, are working, contributing and looking for somewhere nice to live and bring up your daughter.

What sort of areas are you considering? I imagine attitudes would be very different in other areas - I can only speak for SE England where I've lived.

Even us English can be discriminated against in certain parts of the UK

I'm from Essex so have faced numerous digs/judgements even in nearby counties!

Jx

its the same every where , we are English living in Wales and some people are downright rude when they hear our accent (Lancashire) we have been here 20 years my partner worked for the MOD and was constantly thrown racist comments,

recently while viewing a house the next door neighbour came out to say hello, as soon as I opened my mouth to introduce myself her whole demeanour changed , she went on to tell us that the house directly at the back had 6 large dogs :rotfl:
it was obvious she was trying to put us off

I told her it didn't bother me I loved dogs but the gate between hers and the house we were viewing would have to be closed off and replaced with a 6 foot fence :rotfl:

not that we had any intention of buying , I hated the house

but I have to say to OP on the whole people are very nice and most villages like a mix of culture
get to know the area you are moving to and make yourself known to the locals and I am sure the village community will welcome you

Better_Days

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

The best thing to do is to involve yourselves in the local community, and I doubt this would really be avoidable once you have a young child in the local school.

This is really good advice. In a small community everyone knows everyone, so once you start participating you will find that like ripples in a pond you will build up a network of friends and acquaintances. A bit of effort when you first move in to a new area will be well repaid.

Earlier this year we moved about 4 miles down the world to a bigger village, but it is like another world! But DH purchased some goods locally, got chatting and now has a new mate to go out cycling with. After the cycling they go to the pub (the main object of the exercise I suspect ) and his mate has lived in the village all his life. So when they walk into the pub DH is accepted by association IYSWIM.

As has already been pointed out rural areas do tend to be more insular and parochial. However, being an 'incomer' doesn't mean that you wont be accepted. Just remember that the pace of life is slower and more measured, but for me that is part of its charm. Getting involved with the local drama group, sports teams, charities, school are all ways to get to know local people. Most villages will have a newsletter and/or website. You will then be able to look around to see what interests you.

GL with your move.

RAS

Fadileeds wrote: »

Thanks is this incident in BIW? I am not dark skin but just got tanned as i just returned from 15 days holiday from Spain where my brother lives :-)

NO - think it was Gipton or Halton Moor.

sarahevie

both the schools you mention are very heavily oversubscribed, you would need a strong catholic link for st marys. That is fact.

Don't know about Ilkley grammar but residents of Addingham regularly complain they haven't got a place.

spent a lovely afternoon at the generous pioneer myself this afternoon. I don't find burley racist, but it is insular middle class. Very similar to where we live on Tranmere Park ls20

I_have_spoken

In Scotland, after you've lived in a village for about 20 years or so you'll no longer be referred to as 'the incomers' and there won't be a sudden silence when you walk into the pub, post office, shop etc.

Grandchildren might be accepted as 'local'.

Almo

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Well that's certainly one way.:rotfl:

The thing that strikes me is that you have been here 14 years and your English still isn't fluent. This is THE single biggest thing that will help you "fit in" to any community.

My own parents had distinct reservations about "furriners" moving in next door but, over time, have come to accept them and I think one of the biggest single things that helped contribute to this is that they are making the effort to learn to speak English fluently. I think the point they got accepted was when one of my parents commented approvingly on "He's reading such and such a book (ie one that uses words that are too long for many English people to be able to read)". At that point it was obvious that the neighbours were trying to fit in, ie because they are trying to learn to speak English to an "educated English person standard" rather than the "basic level" English standard that is the best that can be expected from many English people themselves:rotfl:(ie the neighbours are trying to learn to speak to "Guardian" newspaper readers, rather than just "Sun" readers iyswim).

As someone qualified in teaching English as a second language, I think his English is great. Obviously since you have such a high level of intelligence, you'll be aware that an adult learner will never achieve total fluency.

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

You asked for our opinion and many of us with University level intelligence may not have the paper qualifications to match our intelligence level...so degrees or no degrees...that is totally irrelevant.

It's university. As in school, church etc.

gazter

Fadileeds wrote: »

Hi,

I am really worried after i read few news online about UK Villages and countrysides are more racist than its towns and cities.

I am originally from Jordan and my wife Poland i have been in the UK for about 14 years. We decided to move burley in wharfedale just on the edge of Ilkley so our little girl can go to good a school and have quieter life as i lived before in villages back home.

But when i check police .uk websites only show few crimes a months in the village.

Your opinions much much appreciated as this is for us is big move and lot money to buy new house and sell our house.

Thank you all.

Racism today is often in the eye of the beholder. The only resistance you will experience in a village is if there is a perception you want to try and change things.

Join in in the local activities and you will be fine. The UK is not a racist nation, not by a long shot. As i said, as long as you dont try to make the place you move to resemble the place you left, you'll be fine.

Good luck.

gazter

thesaint wrote: »

Towns and villages are going to be more racist than a multicutural city.

I don't think you will find any figures, as the racism is unlikely to be reported to the police.

Piffle. You will find substantially more racism in a 'multicultural city'.