Which country to retire to for fun, culture, nightlife? Ireland,France, Spain?

We are in Glasgow.  I have found Glasgwegians to be generally very friendly.

I've had lovely conversations with the check-out ladies at Tesco (who couldn't comprehend why anyone would WANT to come to live in Glasgow), little old ladies and gents on the bus and at the bus stop, shoppers in Primark, a number of repairmen in to fix the stove/washer/sinks/plumbing/boiler/windows, the delivery people from the grocery stores, etc. They are usually curious and pleasant (if sometimes unintelligible). But the Ikea delivery guys were just unpleasant - young and not seeming terribly bright, and probably unpleasant to everyone, thinking back to it. And then there was the bank teller, who appeared to be of Pakistani or Indian extraction. (!) That's like two situations in one year. Hardly a trend. 

We have settled in Southport in the North West of England.  Southport is a Victorian seaside town.  We are a couple of streets away from the centre and can stroll to bars and restaurants and there is usually something going.  Tomorrow there is a parade and various displays for Armed Forces Day.  Next weekend there is the Air Show and so we will walk to the sea front and watch the Red Arrows streak by.  There are cinemas, shops, bowling alley and LOTS of golf courses,  and a railway station within walking distance.

Sounds like you are in a beautiful area of Great Britain and one with many activities to enjoy. I had no idea that bowling was available in the UK. How popular is bowling in Europe? I wonder if bowling in Europe  is on a competitive professional level with leagues?

We are in Glasgow.  I have found Glasgwegians to be generally very friendly.

I've had lovely conversations with the check-out ladies at Tesco (who couldn't comprehend why anyone would WANT to come to live in Glasgow), little old ladies and gents on the bus and at the bus stop, shoppers in Primark, a number of repairmen in to fix the stove/washer/sinks/plumbing/boiler/windows, the delivery people from the grocery stores, etc. They are usually curious and pleasant (if sometimes unintelligible). But the Ikea delivery guys were just unpleasant - young and not seeming terribly bright, and probably unpleasant to everyone, thinking back to it. And then there was the bank teller, who appeared to be of Pakistani or Indian extraction. (!) That's like two situations in one year. Hardly a trend. 

I'm sure there are some people in the UK that might say rude comments because that is true everywhere in the world. The brits do have a decent reputation for being polite even to a stranger. I've met several here in the States and they always tend to be quite approachable. Of course it's that one experience of harsh behavior from a person that will understandably stick out in a person's mind.

I had no idea that bowling was available in the UK. How popular is bowling in Europe? I wonder if bowling in Europe  is on a competitive professional level with leagues?

Apparently bowling originated in Rome and Greece over 4,000 years ago, and has been popular in the UK since the 1300s when it was played outdoors by King Edward III's soldiers, before being brought indoors in the 1400s. Apparently Henry VIII bowled with cannonballs, but then banned the sport for all but the upper classes because working men and soliders were playing so much they neglected their trades.

Ninepin Bowling was introduced to the United States via Europeans who settled in the New World. Ten-pin bowling as we know it now was introduced to the UK in 1960, and in the 1990s there were over 200 bowling alleys in the UK.

Not sure how much it's played in other European countries, but according to Wikipedia:
"The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States. Both nations maintain national regulatory organizations that govern the sport's rules and conduct, and many of those countries' best players participate in tournaments on both the national and international stage. "

 (from Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-pin_bowling).

So... hard to say about anti-American sentiment. I get the sense that generally it's directed more against the government, rather than us as individuals.  Others may have had different experiences.

I'd agree with this that it's typically more directed against the government than against individuals, even if it comes across as more of a personal thing.

...but then I still firmly stand by my feelings that it would probably be similar in many other countries and not specifically just here in the UK based on other comments I've heard from expats living elsewhere as well as my personal experiences meeting people while travelling around. I don't think you can worry too much about it because - if you did - you'd never want to move anywhere "just in case". I like to just show those people that I am not whatever negative stereotype of an American they have in their head.


On a personal level, in the almost 5 years I've lived here and 2 years previous to that which I'd visit, I've had only a handful of comments that I've been unable to reason were intended to be less than friendly. I will always remember one of the first times I came to visit my now-husband and meeting this one group of friends he now no longer really speaks to and the boyfriend of one of these friends was just a bit of an ignorant p***k. After only having really spoken to him for like....5 minutes max maybe....he very flatly said "So you guys (Americans) love our accents don't you?" or something to that effect. I was like "Yeah, where I'm from we do appreciate a good English accent yeah." I was very friendly about it and just trying to make conversation in an awkward environment. He then just followed up with "well we don't really feel the same about yours." I was like "uhhh...right....okay...uhh......." and then I kind of went to the toilet and proceeded to barely talk for the next hour until we left. Other than that, I can't really think of any times where somebody close to me/my husband/our friend circle has made any hurtful or ignorant comments about the negative american stereotype to me. It's usually strangers in passing when it happens. I've had people be LOVELY because I'm American as well as people being rude because of it. it's just a mixed bag really (as it is anywhere you go I think).

At this point, though, my accent has changed and people think I'm actually British and assume I'm from Bristol/West Country LOL so I definitely don't get much sh*t for being American outside of those that like to joke around with me and know I'm American (but that's almost exclusively all in good fun). Whether that's why I don't really hear negative comments about America anymore, I have no idea!

I think the toughest job in America is that of being a Secret Service person. And crazy Donald Trump makes their job 10 times harder.

I feel that way about his PR team every time the dude tweets.

We are in Glasgow.  I have found Glasgwegians to be generally very friendly.

Woah! Even Glasgwegians don't find Glasgwegians to be generally very friendly! (joking! But really, it always seemed to get joked about how cold and unfriendly they are yet I've only ever had good experiences in Scotland - Glasgow and Edinburgh - and my friends up there are some the the friendliest people I've ever met!)

Maybe it depends on if you are from "down South" or not. 

I'd agree with this that it's typically more directed against the government than against individuals, even if it comes across as more of a personal thing.

...but then I still firmly stand by my feelings that it would probably be similar in many other countries and not specifically just here in the UK based on other comments I've heard from expats living elsewhere as well as my personal experiences meeting people while travelling around. I don't think you can worry too much about it because - if you did - you'd never want to move anywhere "just in case". I like to just show those people that I am not whatever negative stereotype of an American they have in their head.


On a personal level, in the almost 5 years I've lived here and 2 years previous to that which I'd visit, I've had only a handful of comments that I've been unable to reason were intended to be less than friendly. I will always remember one of the first times I came to visit my now-husband and meeting this one group of friends he now no longer really speaks to and the boyfriend of one of these friends was just a bit of an ignorant p***k. After only having really spoken to him for like....5 minutes max maybe....he very flatly said "So you guys (Americans) love our accents don't you?" or something to that effect. I was like "Yeah, where I'm from we do appreciate a good English accent yeah." I was very friendly about it and just trying to make conversation in an awkward environment. He then just followed up with "well we don't really feel the same about yours." I was like "uhhh...right....okay...uhh......." and then I kind of went to the toilet and proceeded to barely talk for the next hour until we left. Other than that, I can't really think of any times where somebody close to me/my husband/our friend circle has made any hurtful or ignorant comments about the negative american stereotype to me. It's usually strangers in passing when it happens. I've had people be LOVELY because I'm American as well as people being rude because of it. it's just a mixed bag really (as it is anywhere you go I think).

At this point, though, my accent has changed and people think I'm actually British and assume I'm from Bristol/West Country LOL so I definitely don't get much sh*t for being American outside of those that like to joke around with me and know I'm American (but that's almost exclusively all in good fun). Whether that's why I don't really hear negative comments about America anymore, I have no idea!

I feel that way about his PR team every time the dude tweets.

Woah! Even Glasgwegians don't find Glasgwegians to be generally very friendly! (joking! But really, it always seemed to get joked about how cold and unfriendly they are yet I've only ever had good experiences in Scotland - Glasgow and Edinburgh - and my friends up there are some the the friendliest people I've ever met!)

That is quite interesting. The Mrs and I will try to join a Bowling League once in Europe. We're both enjoy the sport quite a bit.

Woah! Even Glasgwegians don't find Glasgwegians to be generally very friendly! (joking! But really, it always seemed to get joked about how cold and unfriendly they are yet I've only ever had good experiences in Scotland - Glasgow and Edinburgh - and my friends up there are some the the friendliest people I've ever met!)

Really? I found Glasgow to be pretty much the friendliest place I've ever been to.

Really? I found Glasgow to be pretty much the friendliest place I've ever been to.

Trying to find the specific comedian I’m thinking of who were joking about Glaswegians and can’t find it at this second. I thought it was Frankie Boyle but it doesn’t look like it was but I did find this instead . (will try to find that other clip). I never found it less than friendly myself or anything


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Trying to find the specific comedian I’m thinking of who were joking about Glaswegians and can’t find it at this second. I thought it was Frankie Boyle but it doesn’t look like it was but I did find this instead . (will try to find that other clip). I never found it less than friendly myself or anything


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That last joke!   Awesome! 

Trying to find the specific comedian I’m thinking of who were joking about Glaswegians and can’t find it at this second. I thought it was Frankie Boyle but it doesn’t look like it was  (will try to find that other clip).

Kevin Bridges, maybe?  I love him! 

Kevin Bridges, maybe?  I love him! 

100% think you’re correct! Will try to see if I can find the specific clip I’m thinking of after dinner


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And then there's



Seriously, I love this place. People Make Glasgow...     

I think the toughest job in America is that of being a Secret Service person. And crazy Donald Trump makes their job 10 times harder.

When we visited the White House a few years ago every other room had a USSS Agent in them to make sure nothing was stolen and also to answer tourist's questions. So basically a museum docent! They were pretty cool - they told us when Obama was about to leave so we stood at the windows in one of the State rooms and watched him get into his helicopter. Although my wife was more interested in seeing Bo.

100% think you’re correct! Will try to see if I can find the specific clip I’m thinking of after dinner


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I’m now starting to question if it was him because I can’t find it!! I am fairly certain the joke I’m thinking of was on live at the Apollo on Netflix. I need to keep searching. But this will buy me some time...haha




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