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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your experiences with Bath/strange atmospheres

543 replies

AliceInBlunderland13 · 18/02/2020 13:11

Semi-regular poster but I’ve name changed for this as the details could be quite outing. Also not really an AIBU but posting for traffic and all that…
There have been two periods in my life when I have lived and/or worked in the city of Bath, Somerset and I’ve experienced problems with my mental health on both occasions. The first was right after I finished by undergraduate degree in London and I moved to Bath to do a Masters at the university. I started in the October and by Christmas I was experiencing terrible panic attacks and depression. I did manage to complete the course but as soon as I finished I ended the tenancy on my flat early and moved back home. I then worked in my home town for a few years, during which time I had no problems with my mental health. Then I decided to do a PhD and took a position again at the uni in Bath. This time I didn’t move there but instead moved to a nearby town and commuted in. Yet again within a couple of months of being there I began experiencing daily panic attacks, terrible anxiety and feelings of dissociation, and depression. I tried to stick it out (had counselling, on meds etc) but I still felt utterly miserable so I recently quit the course and found a new job in another town.
Even after having counselling, I’ve never truly got to the bottom of what triggers these episodes. Logically, it could be stress related as both a Masters and a PhD are obviously a lot of work but then I dealt with the stresses of my undergraduate course just fine, and the job I had between my Masters and PhD was high-stress and I loved it – in fact I used to think I worked best with a bit of pressure.
Then the other day, I was reading an old thread on here (bored while I wait to start my new job Grin ) about places people found creepy. Several people mentioned that they didn’t like Bath or that it had an odd atmosphere – I think one poster described it as ‘melancholy’. Now normally I’m very rational and logical (except when the anxiety takes over Confused ) and wouldn’t give it a second thought, but I couldn’t help wondering if anyone has any experience of feeling anxious/down in a particular place, or if anyone else has felt this ‘atmosphere’ in Bath? I know some will say it’s a load of pish but I guess I’m just interested in other people’s experiences really…

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MsTSwift · 10/11/2024 06:49

Have you ever been to Bath? It’s gorgeous. “Awful energy” what on earth does that even mean?

Frenchtoastie · 10/11/2024 00:50

I actually find watching first dates quite depressing when it is filmed in Bath, I much prefer the series in Manchester and London.
in Bath it’s seems like an awful energy

LastNight1Dreamt1WentToManderleyAgain · 10/11/2024 00:09

Zombie thread alert 💀👻🧌

MsTSwift · 09/11/2024 17:35

What do you want people to say? Racism is wrong and no right thinking decent person supports it. You can’t find the inhabitants of a small city all collectively at fault though. Very strange take on it. Is everyone in Rotherham
guilty by default of grooming then? Insane position to take.

Bath is gorgeous if you don’t like it dont visit. Thousands of tourists around the world don’t agree.

Fred4542 · 09/11/2024 14:06

This happened to me to in 2006 I moved there to go to university and started to have panic attacks, depression and feeling physically ill by the Christmas I was home and in hospital no one can’t explain what happened to me or why I became so ill the doctors were stumped I still have lasting affected to this day and when I look back on my time there it feels like a bad dream and so surreal

Coffeeenema · 23/07/2022 17:03

usernameusrnme · 22/06/2020 15:50

"You come across as most definitely obsessed "

Drop the arrogance. Something tells me you are one these supposedly open minded liberals

You are a massive weirdo!!

usernameusrnme · 22/06/2020 15:50

"You come across as most definitely obsessed "

Drop the arrogance. Something tells me you are one these supposedly open minded liberals

airedailleurs · 05/06/2020 13:52

@usernameusrnme

Nothing other than avoiding the question just "I like it, I like it" "my friend said they like it"

Ok I get that..

But Bathonians are you capable of answering whether or not you think Bath has a racism problem? I think it does. I've given lots of examples with journalistic evidence to support that there could be serious issues.
What are you opinions on that? Dont duck, dive and deflect. Respond without silly names or attempts at smears. Bathonians, what is your opinion on the articles and blogs of the stories raised?

P.s no you may not ask. Im fully aware of how gossipy Bath is. Attempts at asking me where Im from etc to re-direct the questions at me to detect who I am, which in small city then leads to potential retaliation. (Insert posters thinking "he's crazy") but no, I'm not crazy, Im also not stupid.

You come across as most definitely obsessed and have hijacked this thread. Please start your own thread on the topic of Racism in Bath as you might attract more responses there.
airedailleurs · 05/06/2020 13:49

@clipclop5

How the hell has a thread about strange experiences in Bath turned into one of racism accusations? 😳
Indeed.
usernameusrnme · 04/06/2020 20:30

For those too uncomfortable return to your conversation on Radon.

Guarantee none of you are brave enough to read that book.

usernameusrnme · 04/06/2020 20:24

Visit. If you are not white you might have some seriously weird experiences.

clipclop5 · 04/06/2020 20:22

How the hell has a thread about strange experiences in Bath turned into one of racism accusations? 😳

usernameusrnme · 04/06/2020 20:13

Still no replies.

Knitting addict
Tswift
Mucklowe
Gaslighters
Deniers

This won't concern you. Feel free to return to blissful ignorance. For those who think race is not an issue, that its not your problem or that racism itself is not A problem. The story is over. Wake up tomorrow and believe whatever you want to believe.

For those bold enough to invest in a better tomorrow where people are not racially abused, mocked, mistreated, feared...or even, murdered, may these links help you on learning and understanding more. May you and your children contribute to a better society.

Over and out. Bath.

(It should be noted the above exercise has only failed in the UK. The place where racism is so smooth and refined people think its not an issue)

www.amazon.co.uk/Longer-Talking-White-People-About-ebook/dp/B06WWPX2YF/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid&sr

usernameusrnme · 03/06/2020 16:12

Imagine a week in where a major incident overseas has sparked conversation world wide about racism. Everyone from everyday citizens, celebrities, industries and varying businesses to International heads of state are all weighing in.

Incidents have been shared on here about Bath but people cant respond. Just attempts at gaslighting and silence.

Speak to people in Bath about the aforementioned articles and its...

"What incident?" "What happened?" "I didnt hear" "I dont know" (Despite the school one being in all national papers and going as far as parliament)

While they attempt to smear anyone who brings it up or erase comments posted on student forums about racism.

usernameusrnme · 03/06/2020 13:29

Nothing other than avoiding the question just "I like it, I like it" "my friend said they like it"

Ok I get that..

But Bathonians are you capable of answering whether or not you think Bath has a racism problem? I think it does. I've given lots of examples with journalistic evidence to support that there could be serious issues.
What are you opinions on that? Dont duck, dive and deflect. Respond without silly names or attempts at smears. Bathonians, what is your opinion on the articles and blogs of the stories raised?

P.s no you may not ask. Im fully aware of how gossipy Bath is. Attempts at asking me where Im from etc to re-direct the questions at me to detect who I am, which in small city then leads to potential retaliation. (Insert posters thinking "he's crazy") but no, I'm not crazy, Im also not stupid.

usernameusrnme · 03/06/2020 13:17

Certainly not confused. I cant get over the attitudes which people seem to accept as perfectly ok. The arrogance, the snobbery, the rudeness, the pretence. As though they are the height of British civility and refinement. The sheer insularity.

Still waiting on a response on the articles. But no answer, just the same "you seem this" "You seem that" from different people.

What are you opinions on the articles posted? I gave several examples. Anyone from Bath capable of answering instead of deflecting?

airedailleurs · 03/06/2020 10:10

@usernameusrnme

Any Bathonians capable of responding to the articles? Your silence is louder than a jump jet.

All of this we''re liberal and open minded... its your sons who give you away the most.

You seem a little confused and obsessed. I love Bath, lots of people love Bath. If you don't, it doesn't make any sense for you to live there! Where are you from originally, if I may ask?
usernameusrnme · 01/06/2020 17:30

Any Bathonians capable of responding to the articles? Your silence is louder than a jump jet.

All of this we''re liberal and open minded... its your sons who give you away the most.

usernameusrnme · 01/06/2020 12:06

@areallthenamesusedup

Dear usernameusrnme

Firstly, we have very similar names so this is all a bit confusing :)

Anyway, the only thing I asked in my post was "did you used to live there/do you still/could you move?".

I did not pass comment on anything you said. I did not challenge your opinion. The only reason why I wrote my post was to reach out and maybe see if there were things that might make things better. E

It was meant as a friendly comment.

I mis-interpreted what you said and thought you meant "why dont you leave/go away" as another poster had said.

Also you are welcome, as is anyone naturally, to challenge anything I have posted.

While its kind of you to want to reach out I have already taken the decision to leave. Making things better would require positive change. Bath is the antithesis of change.

felineflutter · 31/05/2020 23:18

Yes to Norfolk. I had booked a B&B online it looked beautiful, lovely online, flowers and linen in rooms etc.

I emailed and spoke to a lovely woman about coming a few times.

When I arrived the place was really rundown and a man greeted us with greasy, long hair and clearly hadn't washed for weeks. He showed me the book to sign in - he had long, curly and yellowed nails.

He took me to an attic bedroom which made me go completely cold and I knew I had to leave immediately my DH and the children were waiting in the car. I had to explain that there was no way on earth we could stay there! Grin

I kid you not I did not feel the oppression lift until I saw the sign for Suffolk!

madcatladyforever · 31/05/2020 22:03

A lot of people say the same about Glastonbury and "ley lines".

Yes I agree, when I moved to the area even though I'm pagan so fit in I thought I'm not bloody living here.

I go in regularly to see friends and go to events but no way I'm living there. I live around 5 miles away.

The worst place I've ever lived near is Brighton, the atmosphere over the entire city is so awful I felt sick to the stomach working there and only lasted in that job for a month before I had to leave for my own sanity. Absolutely hated it, it's incredibly oppressive with a nasty undercurrent of hate.

SecretSpAD · 31/05/2020 21:54

Working my way through the thread - Northampton- so bloody oppressive, provincial and depressing. I had a boyfriend there once years ago and could wait to leave that town each time I visited.

Guernsey is amazing but the underground hospital it freaky as hell.

St Just - oh god, how could anyone live there? It's so windy so depressing, so awful in every way.

Glastonbury is just cheap and nasty.

areallthenamesusedup · 31/05/2020 20:39

Dear usernameusrnme

Firstly, we have very similar names so this is all a bit confusing :)

Anyway, the only thing I asked in my post was "did you used to live there/do you still/could you move?".

I did not pass comment on anything you said. I did not challenge your opinion. The only reason why I wrote my post was to reach out and maybe see if there were things that might make things better. E

It was meant as a friendly comment.

usernameusrnme · 31/05/2020 20:21

That school situation. Was it "kids being kids?"

Lets think about it. The school "apparently" told the child in question not to talk about it or mention it to anyone including family. Apparently.

The boys involved were expelled, then allowed to return after the governors intervened and overturned the decision.

What message does that send?

The governors then step down. One of whom works in another Bath institution. On the board....to......SAFEGUARD CHILDREN.

Dont worry the system will protect you. If.. you meet certain criteria.

Thats one of the articles. What about the others?

No Bath doesn't have a problem with racism. At all. Doesn't exist. In fact racism doesn't exist anymore. Why do people talk about it. Always playing the race card.

Meanwhile, in a galaxy far far away. Called Minneapolis.

usernameusrnme · 31/05/2020 19:43

Again trying to smear. Anyone gives an honest opinion thats the go to method.

Still not one single response to any of the articles with any rhetorical skill just names and smear.

Do you have an opinion on the articles? You want to try and label me but in all honesty you are just too fragile to have an honest think about it.
You dont have to agree. Reply as to why you think that isnt the case. But you dont seem rhetorically skilled enough to respond without name calling.