What's England missing?

[Nostrodamus]

Having been cruising for a couple of years in foreign parts we made a pilgrimage home to the UK over the winter.
I don't know exactly what it was but there seems to be something missing.
Having sailed through a few countries there are things we have seen along the way we wish we could import to the UK.
I am sure there are others who though.. why can't they do that in the UK.
For instance.. the Spanish are very family orientated and in Northern Spain they would do anything to help you.. I wish we could have a bit of that.
I like that all the European marinas have people who either meet you in a dingy and help you in or someone from the marina will be waiting at a berth to take your lines.
Of the countries you have visited is there something about the people or something you have seen that you would like the UK to adopt?

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Is this a rumination on England as the subject line suggests, or The UK as cited 3 times in the text?

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Only one thing - the weather.

 

[ChrisE]

I would like other countries to adopt English (sorry Ken!) beer ....

 

[Blueboatman]

I thought the change is what travel is all about?
You go 'there' in order to come back 'here'. Doesn't have to be external either( yeah man).
Btw I am writing this in the sunny back cardenyard over brecky cuppa, so it's not all bad here ( today)!
Now, when's yer going to get off the beaten track, yers all up fer it now I reckon

 

[vyv_cox]

I like that all the European marinas have people who either meet you in a dingy and help you in or someone from the marina will be waiting at a berth to take your lines.

If I remember correctly, so far you have been in France, Portugal and Spain? Marineros in Spain are employed by the marina, their assistance is included in your berthing fees. When you get further east you will find that their 'assistance' has to be paid for directly by you. For the most minimal of help, e.g. pointing at a place where you can tie up, they will ask as much as €20. It can be quite difficult to refuse.

 

[Tony Cross]

I'd like the UK to adopt the laid-back Mediterranean attitude where nothing is so important it has to be done now. Later is good enough, tomorrow even. At first it's infuriating but once you get used to it.....ahhhh.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Only one thing - the weather.

+1

 

[[70521]]

Of the countries you have visited is there something about the people or something you have seen that you would like the UK to adopt?

French lunches.

 

[dylanwinter]

I like it here

I love walking into a shop without some-one offering to help and hang around me like a mosquito

if I want help I will ask for it

I love our history, humour, general lack of litter, clean food that does not give you the collywobbles, radio 4, wildlife and the variety of boats you see around our coast

I love all 20,000 miles of it

no paperwork either

Dylan

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I'd like the UK to adopt the laid-back Mediterranean attitude where nothing is so important it has to be done now. Later is good enough, tomorrow even. At first it's infuriating but once you get used to it.....ahhhh.

Try Cornwall.

 

[capnsensible]

Decent national football team.

 

[jamesjermain]

Agree about the Spanish and families; very refreshing. I don't share your experiences of continental marinas, though. In La Corunna the marineros are a mixed blessing. frankly

 

[maby]

Agree about the Spanish and families; very refreshing. I don't share your experiences of continental marinas, though. In La Corunna the marineros are a mixed blessing. frankly

We do have a tendency to look at Spanish families through rose tinted glasses. My wife is Spanish so half my family is too and I've seen some pretty unpleasent sides to Spanish family life from time to time. Avoiding issues that are too close to home to talk publicly about on the web, I know of other families where one offspring has taken her parents to court because they gave her brother a larger allowance and I know of children who have had healthy parents committed to get hold of their property.

 

[doug748]

".........Of the countries you have visited is there something about the people or something you have seen that you would like the UK to adopt? "





Children being taught how to behave in public places. That would do me.

 

[vyv_cox]

Children being taught how to behave in public places. That would do me.

Some of the worst-behaved children we have witnessed were Dutch. On the other hand, some of the best-behaved were also Dutch. There's good and bad everywhere.

 

[doug748]

Some of the worst-behaved children we have witnessed were Dutch. On the other hand, some of the best-behaved were also Dutch. There's good and bad everywhere.

Quite agree, not about the Dutch children, of course, I wasn't there. But the general sentiment is worth putting forward.

However, if you are in a pub or restaurant in the UK and a family with 3 say kids, of any age, enters it is generally the end of all comfort. They shout, cry, tip drinks over, run around the room, moan, snivel, refuse food, put feet on the furnishings and, you can often bet, will be ignored by their parents or screamed at.

In France, generally you can expect they will sit quietly, display orderly manners, take part in family conversation and be attended to by their parents.


I have no great affection for Mrs Thatcher nor do I have an interest in politics; but the old bat should have been slowly grilled under a low flame for allowing kids into public houses. That is one imported habit I could do without.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Try Cornwall.

We were in Cornwall in July last year. It rained nearly every day.

 

[Tony Cross]

We were in Cornwall in July last year. It rained nearly every day.

To be absolutely fair - it was raining here yesterday too.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

It rained so much in July last year that Devon and Cornwall were flooded.