Friendliest town or city in England (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Otis
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skybluejelly
Well-Known Member
2 people shook your hand and you lost your watch and your wedding ring
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
I get out and about delivering from time to time and I have to say that my experience of Liverpool is the exact opposite to yours Otis. The only place I've been that's consistently worse is London.
In my experience it's the good folk of Manchester that are the most friendly and helpful.
In my experience it's the good folk of Manchester that are the most friendly and helpful.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Weird that.
We encountered 10 people on a one to basis and every single one was really lovely and I mean out of their way lovely. There was a woman in the bank, a shopkeeper, police man, 3 security guards and the people we went to see too.
Everyone to a man were so friendly.
We are back there for 2 days tomorrow, so will let you know if it continues in the same vein.
Grendel
Well-Known Member
Ha ha. I went there once and was filling up at a petrol station and the guy came running out of the kiosk saying I hadn't paid. You had to pay before filling up - when he realised I wasn't a local he was ok.
It's all a bit generalistic I know but I used to deal with folk from all over the country and found that the wealthier the area the more unfriendly and arrogant the people were, the home counties around the capital being the worst. The working classes of the North and the Midlands and in most areas of London were usually very nice.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Yep, that's true I have found.
The wealthier the area, the less friendly people are. There does seem to be an air of importance about some people due to the fact of them seemingly having money.
We have been travelling a lot, but the Liverpudlians have been far and away the friendliest. Everyone yesterday was really friendly when they had absolutely no need to be whatsoever.
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
That's one of the many reasons I live here Otis.....sunny south Liverpool, beneath the blue suburban skies.
I've lived in many towns & cities across the UK, but Liverpool is by far the best place I've found.....
Yep, Its got more than its fair share of problems with regards poverty, crime & deprivation, but its full of happy folks, culture, architecture, music, sport & the best night life in the country....
Totally agree with Ashdown regards wealth v friendly welcoming people......I also think that often, those with very little appreciate life far more & are generally happier....
TrueSkyBlueLiam
Member
Im going to Liverpool next month for my best friend's son's christening. Hope its as friendly as you say it is hahaha
Otis
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Jimmy.
Everyone seemed chirpy and smiling. People seemed genuinely interested in us and wanted to know more about us.
When we spoke people immediately identified we were not local from our very posh Coventry accents and asked us if we were having a nice time and what did we think of Liverpool etc.
They chatted to my daughter and asked her how old she was and when she said 10, soon to be 11, they all wanted to know her birthday plans and if she was having a party and if so, how many children were coming.
My daughter now says she wants to live there and can't wait to go back.
Some lovely old buildings and really good shopping. I'm really looking forwards to going back there too.
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
Yep....Apparently got more listed buildings than any other city outside of London. Absolutely loads of stuff to see & do (3rd most visited tourist city in the UK behind London & Edinburgh)
No idea whereabouts you're heading to tomorrow, but if you end up down on the waterfront, I highly recommend Liverpool Museum.... http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/visit/ ..Its a stunning modern building with fantastic exhibits...especially the social & cultural history side of things & your daughter would love it...loads of interactive stuff & film screenings.....just don't eat in the museum café as you'll need a second mortgage!
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
Thats true. Always found Bristol a friendly place too.
Otis
Well-Known Member
I know I said tomorrow, but it is actually next week. I think Tuesday and Wednesday, but we are waiting for confirmation.
We were right on the waterfront yesterday, by the Liverpool Museum. We were actually in the Cunard building. Same place next week I think. Will need a hotel for the one night, but we are both really looking forwards to it.
Covstu
Well-Known Member
The city that stands out for me was New York, spent a decent time there and people were really nice and certainly not the same picture painted about that city. In the UK, it has to be Glasgow, just down to earth funny people.
I hate going to London with a passion, rude people who dont have time for people. Would never live there and avoid the place.
I hate going to London with a passion, rude people who dont have time for people. Would never live there and avoid the place.
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
Yep...Bristol could very nearly be Liverpools twin. Very similar histories with regards the docks & slave trade links, redeveloped waterfront & docklands, 2 team city (blues & reds) ferocious early 80s riots, friendly folks, both with unique accents...although obviously only Liverpool folk actually speak with an accent exceedingly rare...:wave:
Me & the Mrs. (who is a scouser) have often said Bristol is the only other UK city we would both be happy to live in......not that we're ever moving from our Mersey paradise!!
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
Yeah...I've lived in Edinburgh & London.....You couldn't pay me enough to live back in either place.. London is full of stressed-out wankers & Edinburgh folk seemed so far up themselves.....whereas Glaswegians 30 miles down the road were always great fun & Glasgow is a top night out too.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Weird isn't it, cause every single person I encountered in New York was damn right rude. The following day I flew to Denver and everyone there was like a breath of fresh air.
Have to say New York was the rudest place I have ever been to.
Always find London rude, but compared to new York, they are like Samaritans.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Think our New York visit was summed up perfectly by the left luggage place.
We dropped our luggage off at the airport, to a very large guy (small American) who was sitting on a chair with his feet up, reading a newspaper. He made no attempt to take our luggage off us and made us lift the bags ourselves onto the racks. He then asked for 15 dollars. He basically did nothing. Bit puzzled as to why we paid in advance, rather than upon collection, but paid the money and left.
When we went back to collect the bags, the same guy was sitting there, in exactly the same position and again we had to lumber the cases ourselves and then he asked for 15 dollars.
'Oh,' says I, 'We paid when we dropped them off.'
'15 dollars to drop them off, 15 dollars to pick them back up again.'
And I kid you not, he was probably the nicest we encountered. Bus driver incredibly rude, security at the Empire State Building, incredibly rude, restaurant owner, incredibly rude (he even threw his son out of the restaurant while we were there and I mean, literally threw, with some venom. The lad shot about 10 feet out of the door).
Love the buildings and stuff, hated the people.
We dropped our luggage off at the airport, to a very large guy (small American) who was sitting on a chair with his feet up, reading a newspaper. He made no attempt to take our luggage off us and made us lift the bags ourselves onto the racks. He then asked for 15 dollars. He basically did nothing. Bit puzzled as to why we paid in advance, rather than upon collection, but paid the money and left.
When we went back to collect the bags, the same guy was sitting there, in exactly the same position and again we had to lumber the cases ourselves and then he asked for 15 dollars.
'Oh,' says I, 'We paid when we dropped them off.'
'15 dollars to drop them off, 15 dollars to pick them back up again.'
And I kid you not, he was probably the nicest we encountered. Bus driver incredibly rude, security at the Empire State Building, incredibly rude, restaurant owner, incredibly rude (he even threw his son out of the restaurant while we were there and I mean, literally threw, with some venom. The lad shot about 10 feet out of the door).
Love the buildings and stuff, hated the people.
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Have to agree on that about New York, greed, speed and very brash and in your face. Flew to there after a few days in Indiana where everyone was really nice and completely different. Centres of power like London, New York, Paris etc etc attract highly motivated, dog eat dog, arrogant types who would step over you if you collapsed in the street.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Going from New York one day, to Denver the next, was like going to a different country. People in Denver went out of their way to help.
First day we arrived, I got a map out to see where we were and within 15 seconds a guy came over and offered his assistance and then spent 10 minutes talking to us and advising on what to see and do.
Only met 2 rude people in Denver and they were Brits on their holiday.
B-Ban-Boogie
Well-Known Member
(I know it's not England but..)
I have found the small towns of America are so friendly it's unbelievable.
I know people say the Yanks are brash and arrogant but in my opinion that's mostly just the New Yorkers and Boston folk..
Everyone else I have met have been so nice..
I was in the mountains of Tennessee 2 weeks ago and i'm in a gas station (petrol station) filling up the car and about 20 big hairy bikers and their hard looking lady friends pull in and one guy looks at my car and asked about the mileage etc (as i was filling up with diesel) and I'll be honest i was a bit on edge....
Then a few others come over and then the English accent kicks in which charms the ladies
, and all the bikers are saying they wish they sounded like 'James Bond' haha..
Within 5 minutes we were chatting like we were old friends and I was even offering them sun tan lotion by the end of the conversation as a few of them didn't have helmets on and their bald heads were getting burnt.
They ask me where i'm from and i say Coventry, and a couple of the dim looking one's go ... "The home of Triumph...great bikes" and then someone says "Isn't that the place where the lady has her tits out on a horse or something" hahaha..
"Lady Godiva" replies another and we spend a good 25 minutes talking about all things Coventry and England..
Nearly every one of them shook my hand and wished me well when they left and that was probably the highlight of my trip.
I have found the small towns of America are so friendly it's unbelievable.
I know people say the Yanks are brash and arrogant but in my opinion that's mostly just the New Yorkers and Boston folk..
Everyone else I have met have been so nice..
I was in the mountains of Tennessee 2 weeks ago and i'm in a gas station (petrol station) filling up the car and about 20 big hairy bikers and their hard looking lady friends pull in and one guy looks at my car and asked about the mileage etc (as i was filling up with diesel) and I'll be honest i was a bit on edge....
Then a few others come over and then the English accent kicks in which charms the ladies
, and all the bikers are saying they wish they sounded like 'James Bond' haha..Within 5 minutes we were chatting like we were old friends and I was even offering them sun tan lotion by the end of the conversation as a few of them didn't have helmets on and their bald heads were getting burnt.
They ask me where i'm from and i say Coventry, and a couple of the dim looking one's go ... "The home of Triumph...great bikes" and then someone says "Isn't that the place where the lady has her tits out on a horse or something" hahaha..
"Lady Godiva" replies another and we spend a good 25 minutes talking about all things Coventry and England..
Nearly every one of them shook my hand and wished me well when they left and that was probably the highlight of my trip.
Otis
Well-Known Member
(I know it's not England but..)
I have found the small towns of America are so friendly it's unbelievable.
I know people say the Yanks are brash and arrogant but in my opinion that's mostly just the New Yorkers and Boston folk..
Everyone else I have met have been so nice..
I was in the mountains of Tennessee 2 weeks ago and i'm in a gas station (petrol station) filling up the car and about 20 big hairy bikers and their hard looking lady friends pull in and one guy looks at my car and asked about the mileage etc (as i was filling up with diesel) and I'll be honest i was a bit on edge....
Then a few others come over and then the English accent kicks in which charms the ladies
Within 5 minutes we were chatting like we were old friends and I was even offering them sun tan lotion by the end of the conversation as a few of them didn't have helmets on and their bald heads were getting burnt.
They ask me where i'm from and i say Coventry, and a couple of the dim looking one's go ... "The home of Triumph...great bikes" and then someone says "Isn't that the place where the lady has her tits out on a horse or something" hahaha..
"Lady Godiva" replies another and we spend a good 25 minutes talking about all things Coventry and England..
Nearly every one of them shook my hand and wished me well when they left and that was probably the highlight of my trip.
Apart from New York, I have have found them all so hospitable and friendly for sure.
Otis
Well-Known Member
When I went to Denver I walked into an art gallery and there I found a husband and wife musing over 2 paintings by the same artist, that were for sale.
The woman wanted one painting and the husband wanted the other. I stopped to look at the paintings and they immediately asked my advice as to which to buy.
I spent about 20 mins with them and gave my own advice and on the back of that they decided to by both. They were lovely and accommodating.
So I ended up being an art critic for the day.
The woman wanted one painting and the husband wanted the other. I stopped to look at the paintings and they immediately asked my advice as to which to buy.
I spent about 20 mins with them and gave my own advice and on the back of that they decided to by both. They were lovely and accommodating.
So I ended up being an art critic for the day.
ccfc92
Well-Known Member
I've only ever been to New York in America, and found the complete opposite to you, Otis.
Everyone I spoke to, was very friendly and approachable. Even the NYPD
I was about 15 at the time, so maybe they treat adults differently? Will let you know when me and the GF are there next year
Otis
Well-Known Member
I've only ever been to New York in America, and found the complete opposite to you, Otis.
Everyone I spoke to, was very friendly and approachable. Even the NYPD
I was about 15 at the time, so maybe they treat adults differently? Will let you know when me and the GF are there next year
Weird isn't it. I can readily accept when people are having a bad day and a few people are rude, but it was every single person we encountered. The guy at the baggage claim, a bus driver who refused to help us and just drove off, an angry, aggressive restaurant owner, the security people at the Empire State Building.
Not one single person was helpful, at all. Everything was a problem to them.
It was all fast and brash and hardly a smile to be found.
I went to Denver and it was a complete sea change. So lovely, laid back, smiling and friendly (if anything, a bit too friendly).
We ordered 2 meals in a Denver restaurant and the waitress said just order the one between us, as it would be plenty enough for us both. Can't see that happening in New York to be honest.
B-Ban-Boogie
Well-Known Member
In Florida if you walk into a bar\restaurant and you can hear someone talking loudly above everyone else (and most likely sounding aggressive) it's either someone from New York or someone from Boston.
I don't think they are that bad when you actually go to these cities, it's just when they are out of town they are right arrogant pricks.
A bit like Cockneys really... lol
I don't think they are that bad when you actually go to these cities, it's just when they are out of town they are right arrogant pricks.
A bit like Cockneys really... lol
LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
Leeds, Harrogate and Cheltenham sprang to mind when I first read this thread. Liverpool is alright but not the uber friendly place everyone makes it out to be in my opinion and everytime I have visited Manchester it's always had a bit of an edge. Saying that though I LOVE both London and New York.
Again, not England but I visit North Wales a fair bit and the villages around there I find the people are ridiculously nice, go to this little place called Ruabon and everyone just chats to you like you're their best mate!
Again, not England but I visit North Wales a fair bit and the villages around there I find the people are ridiculously nice, go to this little place called Ruabon and everyone just chats to you like you're their best mate!
Otis
Well-Known Member
Well, back in Liverpool now and the same friendly, helpfulness is still there in abundance.
We both love it here and now my daughter wants to come and live here permanently.
Once again pretty much everyone has been so friendly and helpful. The shopping here is fantastic. The best I have ever seen in the UK. In fact, I would say Liverpool is the best city I have ever visited in the UK. It has everything, shopping, fabulous buildings and statues, a great open feel about the place, great places to eat, the wonderful dockside and the friendly people.
We love London, but it's too sprawling, Manchester we find an oppressive, grim mess and Birmingham, ditto.
Be sad to come home from here to be honest. Having a great love of the Beatles helps too for me. Everywhere you go in some quarters you are confronted by Lennon's bar or the Beatles Story, or Beatles' songs playing from the pubs and shops.
I am always happier being close to water too. Always improves my mood somehow. Not quite sure why, but guess it was always the anticipation and excitement of going to the seaside when I was little. Just find it soothes and relaxes me and improves my mood. Being by the docks is perfect for me.
I still love Coventry of course, it's my home, but I can't wait to come back here again asap.
jimmyhillsfanclub
Well-Known Member
Glad you enjoyed my adopted home town.....I love it for many of the reasons you list Otis.....The musicality of the city is often overshadowed by the Beatles.....but it has its own philharmonic hall & orchestra (the oldest symphonic orchestra in the UK) it has LIPA, it has THREE major music festivals & several smaller ones every year, as a city it has produced more number one singles than any other, it has some of the finest & most historic music venues & theatres in the country & even the old boozers in the suburbs have open mike nights etc. that would put most of the shite on xfactor to shame....
Truly the UKs capital of music.
LastGarrison
Well-Known Member
I've been down in London today for work and I have to say........I love the place!
Even at the age of 35 I'd still happily move down there for a couple of years just to leave and breathe it!! Such a buzz everytime I'm there!!
And the women........
Even at the age of 35 I'd still happily move down there for a couple of years just to leave and breathe it!! Such a buzz everytime I'm there!!
And the women........
Otis
Well-Known Member
Liverpool has produced some great music for sure and even the quality of the busking here overall is really great. Some great street art too.
The place just oozes art and music. You can feel it all around you.