To find British nights out scary?

[Gimmeareason]

I've moved back to the UK after a few years working in different countries in Europe, my longest stint was in Barcelona.

There are loads of things im glad to have been reunited with, but now that I've experienced the social scene elsewhere I can't help but find the mainstream British night out slightly terrifying?

Things close here relatively early (compared to places on the continent where casual bars can stay open well into 6am).

This means you reach a point in the night where people are either baying in the street or are being funneled into a nightclub (aka tje only place open).

I feel like aggressive use of drugs and alcohol are more rife here - seems like people have their eye set on getting as fucked as possible rather than that just happening naturally.

Rather than seeing mixed groups of friends, ive noticed its much more gender segregated here, with "the girls" and "the lads" going out separately and aiming to hook up rather than just have a good time.

Weirdly, although the UK seems really progressive on gender equality, there seems this weird pressure that women have to go all out when going out (mainstream scene). So rather than just hanging out in late night bars in jeans and a cute top or whatever, you get these gangs of women who have really gone all out, hair, lashes, tan, heels, bodycon etc. Nothing wrong with it we're free to do what we want, but i guess the question is are we really? I dont see many who feel free to just go for a relaxed look.

Aggressive gangs of men who cant handle their drink - i see more british men kicking off in bars or the street whereas in spain for example it all.felt a bit more happy go lucky.

Its weird but it feels like in the UK past a certain hour people just go into this weird animalistic state where they kind of give up on being "civilised", heels come off, people just vomiting or screaming in the street. I saw lots of girls nearly passing out on the street, or girls completely out of it and crying as some man tried to "comfort" her (actually trying to take her home) - yes i did intervene and yes it happened several times.

I used to kind of think it was all a bit of a laugh but now having spent time abroad and having seen people going on long, casual, happy nights out i just wonder why that doesnt really happen in the UK.

It feels like UK nights out have something very hard and edgy about them if anyone sees what i mean

I have never, ever been even slightly scared on a uk night out. Much scarier abroad.

As I work in an industry dealing with football supporters I couldn’t agree more OP. Hosting a massive football game this year between two champions league teams, we were expecting carnage (as we are used to our own fans), these supporters from Italy were lovely and respectful. 10.00 in the morning they were drinking coffees and juices where as half of our lot would be 3 sheets to the wind by then. There is a massive culture difference in regards to co dining alcohol.

Well nottheducheas you must be aware the likes of the Lazio Roma, Galatasary, Ajax and Juventus are worse football hooligans than UK 'gangs'

You can’t buy alcohol in this town on days when English football fans are expected for a match. I met a friend for a 5 PM aperitif last time and we were told “Sorry, can’t serve alcohol” in a cafe/bar

I don’t think it was always like this. I would have noticed.

Rugby league is far calmer and more family friendly IME.

Either rugby code is more family friendly

Dippigmytoesin, yes I’m well aware of them thanks, I was on about the regular supporters. Our regular supporters (non hooligan) seem on a mission to get absolutely steaming drunk, whereas their regular supporters (again, non hooligans) seem to enjoy their day reasonable sober.

Much prefer the rugby crowd, of course you get a few who get a bit agro after a few pints (men AND women) but at least they don’t want to pummel the fans of the opposing team into the ground.

YANBU. I’ve spent nights out in various cities across Europe and it’s the Brits every time that are drinking themselves into obnoxiousness. I know people here who think it is funny that their dc are part of this culture and think it is a standard part of growing up. It’s not. Plenty don’t do it, it’s not cool and it’s not funny when you can’t hold your booze.

As someone who's out every weekend I'm gonna say you're kind of right. I don't get scared but I have seen friends have panic attacks. Some nights there's a general feel in the air that there'll be a kick off. Cocaine and ketamine use is rife it's true.

Most people over a certain age have learnt to avoid this. If I go out (rarely!) I prefer to go to a restaurant where people are seated and more likely to behave. I actively avoid city centres on Fri/Sat night. We stayed in a hotel in a city centre once and went to bed early. Next day, got up, blood (lots) and broken glass all over the street right outside the hotel. Someone had clearly been stabbed.

Well my last night out was to see Goodbye Christopher Robin followed by scampi and chips at the local.

YANBU

I think that the UK has a massive tolerance for shit, shameful, antisocial, obnoxious behaviour which would not be tolerated elsewhere. That is part of the problem.

I lived in the Gulf for a bit and loved going out in the evening. Loads of families, happy relaxed atmosphere and no drunks.

Accrual and Amd I live 30 miles north of York, so it's rural and quiet where I am, so maybe I notice the behaviour more when I come in to town?

And I always head to Gillygate to eat, it's far enough outside the centre that it tends to be quieter, even on racedays. But I know what you mean about the station - the quantity of police around tells you that it's not going to be pleasant later...

Well the fact you mentioned Italian fans when some of them are the worst was the reason for my response Duchess.

Barcelona fans get absoloutley steaming drunk and aggressive.

Everywhere has rowdy drunks and it's ignorant to say it's worse here when stats will show you otherwise.

Slightly disagree with choccy re HK. The bar scene is pretty lively around a few well known hubs ( Wan chai, LKF, Soho) The expats ( mainly Brits, Kiwis and Aussies) get pretty drunk but the contrast with UK is that there's hardly ever any violence/aggro. Maybe it's because they know the consequences are likely to be worse. Not sure.

No idea what ravingroo is on about. Street crime is v low here.

@maxthemartin ahh yes, the Gulf. Where you can be arrested for being gay or immodest. I'm sure it is great to enjoy the quaint delights there, including the wonderful hotels and shopping centres built by unpaid slavesworkers from Bangladesh.

I prefer the UK's "tolerance" to be honest.

Yazoop have you been there? I was in one of the more conservative countries and no you won't be arrested on the basis of your clothing. At worst asked to leave a mall if you wore a micro mini or hotpants or something.

I'm not saying those societies are perfect and exploitation of workers is a huge issue but that isn't what I was talking about.

I was talking about the blissful absence of groups of aggressive drunken dickheads when one is out in the evenings.
It felt so much safer and nicer.

I've not been there, but I know quite a few people living there currently. My point is that the reason it is free of "drunken dickheads" is because in many ways it is a completely controlled society. While I'm sure there are aspects of it that are nice, I would rather deal with a few drunkards than live in an intolerant and controlled society.

Zaphodsotherhead

On race days it's like Beirut in York, especially round the Bishy Road area (finest place in the world to live).

I dunno what it is about racegoers. Pride is huge, awash with booze and absolutely brilliant, the three day beer festival we have down by the racecourse is similar but the clothes aren't as good and the recent (again boozy) balloon fiesta was amazing. I wonder if there's something in the aftershave and the coating on the shiny estate agent suits that sends them all barmy.

Aren't most countries in the Gulf dry? So yes there would be a lack of drunks there.

Floella maybe they drink to either celebrate their winnings or drown their sorrows at losing? I know that I don't go into town on a race day if I can help it! And my XH, the kids' dad, lives near St John's, and refused to meet one of the kids in town because of the drunks (and he's a six foot feller).

Totally agree. I was on a night out in Cardiff (didn't drink as on medication) and it was awful. Drunk, intimidating people everywhere. Felt really tragic

YANBU. I would hate to be young and on the social scene nowadays. Here in Ireland the norm is to get tanked up on alcohol before you even leave the house, and drunken vomiting teenagers taking up valuable accident and emergency resources is an ever present problem.

I rarely go into the city on a Fri or Sat night but when I do I am pretty shocked at the loud, drunken behaviour, people staggering out in front of cars, etc. etc.

It all looks horrible and sleazy and very dangerous.