Rather pay than give in

I agree with Petra and others - in our little town in Spain the only people sneering and mocking Brexit were the Brits who had been sailing under the radar for years and were now having to become legit.

All the Spanish were perplexed, disappointed but sympathetic at the difficulties we might encounter.

I would imagine it partly depends on your own viewpoint I am afraid. I spent time in Belgium last year and none of those I talked about understood it but then neither do I.

Grandmafrench
Thank you for putting up the true view of Europeans.
Up until this past winter we spent a lot of time in Spain, Portugal and France on campsites with other campers from all over Europe.
We spent many many happy evenings with these folk. Not one of them were laughing/ pitying/ sneering at us.
They said they understood and wished us well.

Maybe those who’d rather “pay than give in” should pay a “Brexit bonus tax” to pay for it all. Brexit voters only natch.

I objected to the smearing of two Labour politicians by association with another, who had been arrested (not charged) with serious offences. I was told that the poster knows more than I do because she's from the area, whereas her current knowledge is no more than second-hand.

Those are the facts. Carry on disputing, if you like, but I'm not interested.

Callistemon

growstuff

Oh good! Is it safe in here now? Has the bullying stopped?

A bit rich, growstuff after a poster who got stuck overseas for a while (who is now back in the UK) was told she had no right to comment on what was happening in her own home city as she posted from there.
Now, remind me, who was it who told her that?

That is not what I wrote.

Callistemon

^However, people seemed to enjoy misinterpreting what I'd written and piling in, so I left them to it.^
Oh yes, that's right, I remember now.

There was no misinterpretation.

I beg to differ. I remember the people involved.

Thank you for posting Grandmafrench , very balanced and refreshing.

MawBe

GrandmaFrench and Mokryna ??. ??. ??

I completely agree with you maw.

One joke which is quite good-
Why has Boris Johnson got so many children?
- Because he breaks so many withdrawal agreements.
?

If only it was just cheese and wine parky
All our products for our factory come from EU and all our customers rely on the EU for trade. If I were you I would ask for your post to be deleted, it is not the time for jokes?

Thank you grandmafrench for a post which shows that “the French” aren’t all hostile to the British, unlike some nasty posts which have been made castigating a whole nation, ( along, with the Germans, Italians, Irish etc of course).

GrandmaFrench and Mokryna ??. ??. ??

Thank you GrandmaFrench it is exactly the same experience I have in Versailles. When I spoke French in the market or shops, with my English accent, after Referendum result was known, strangers came up to me to express their sadness. My neighbours even today, discussed with masks on, that there could be a another vote in the UK later. It was because they wanted everyone to be in a big friendly family, nothing to do with laws or money.

Thank you for a refreshing, positive and nondenigrating post GrandmaFrench. The continual drip, drip, drip of "England" bashing has become tedious and it's good to hear another point of view.

GrandmaFrench That is my experience too. Our French friends are surprised and saddened by us leaving the EU. They do think we don't understand the peace aspect. Sometimes I don't either. And they do like visiting the UK for holidays. My doctor visits Scotland or Ireland every year as je likes to fish.

Fabulous post, Grandmafrench

Thank you for your wise words

Oh I'm very glad she's OK now, MawB!

They are the most beautiful, loving dogs

We also had a couple of Lurchers. They survived until 11 and 13. They get quiet as they get older. Those mad 5 minutes where they would hurl themselves round the room stopped when they were about 5! Thankfully! I'd have to leap over to tiny Minnie and lift her in the air whilst they went thundering around! Dancing round in circles Our lawn was always wrecked!

Grandmafrench thank you for a sensible and, in fact, lovely post.
I think many of us may have family and friends living in EU countries and do hear their viewpoints which are more in line with what you have posted.

However, people seemed to enjoy misinterpreting what I'd written and piling in, so I left them to it.
Oh yes, that's right, I remember now.

There was no misinterpretation.

I was thinking the same just now Callistemon......

I make it a rule never to get involved in threads which always, however well they start, are destined to end in name-calling and argument.

But, there are two things which keep being repeated on here which are making me annoyed because, whilst they may be based on the experience of one Swiss resident, in my experience are completely untrue. 1., Citizens in Europe do not routinely refer to the United Kingdom as "England". They may be confused in the US but not in Europe. and 2., In the four and a half years since the Referendum vote, I have yet to meet anyone here in France who laughs, mocks, makes fun of or denigrates the United Kingdom in any way regarding Brexit.

What's actually funny? I have found both strangers and friends are either sad (and say so), or concerned or questioning or say they are worried and show sympathy. No laughter involved (in my experience), and since I don't find anything comical about the current situation, I would not find such an attitude acceptable. I have Swiss friends, German friends, Italian, Dutch, Belgian and Spanish who speak in a similar vein, have shown kindness and concern, and they often raise questions which I am unable to answer.

I am thrilled that I have been able to live for 20 years in another country, and more than thrilled at the way I have been welcomed; but however much I have embraced the language and the culture I would never want to be anything other than British. English is my first language and regardless of the current confusion and anger which Brexit has created,
I cannot see any point in rubbishing the country of my birth and youth, especially to people who are genuinely interested in the UK and always pleased to travel and visit places that I know and love, when I no longer live there. It's also grossly insulting to UK residents and similar to spout some of the mindless rubbish which is published online and in the media on a daily basis and put there often just to whip up anger and resentment.

I consider myself a European and must say that whilst sweeping generalisations about any country are never helpful, a little diplomacy can go a very long way towards making a point in any debate.

growstuff

Oh good! Is it safe in here now? Has the bullying stopped?

A bit rich, growstuff after a poster who got stuck overseas for a while (who is now back in the UK) was told she had no right to comment on what was happening in her own home city as she posted from there.
Now, remind me, who was it who told her that?

lemongrove

That’s an idea Elliane .....we could all have tatoos on our ears instead of passports ! ? Somebody send that suggestion to Number 10 please, think of the time it would save when going through customs.

We could have a microchip inserted when we have the vaccination!
Is that a good idea?

BTW, before I get jumped on for scaremongering - NO, the COVID vaccine does NOT contain a microchip despite the conspiracy theories.

Lucretzia

Hola, como estas?

Lovely pup, MawBe!

We had a beautiful greyhound. He lived to be 15 which was pretty good going. Most gentle dog I've ever owned

Lucretzia 15 is indeed good going. Lovely dog. They have wonderful temperaments.
My first hound had to be PTS. with a brain tumour aged 12 ,
the second dropped dead suddenly after running in from the garden also 12 .
Lovely Gracie made it to 14 but back legs were going/had gone and I couldn’t bear to see her off her legs, unable to get up and often in considerable pain.
Bit of an addiction!