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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be worried about Norfolk holiday as an ethnic minority?

250 replies

Faffandahalf · 20/05/2018 20:59

I’m from London.

Going to north Norfolk in the summer. It’s been booked. Research showed it was a beautiful part of the UK. Want to do more UK hols.

We’ve been to Cornwall which seemed ok, the Cotswold we were openly stared at.

But now I’m doing some more reading and turns out Norfolk is horribly racist.

We are Asian. Me DH, 2 young kids. My sister is coming too...she wears a headscarf but very modern dress...jeans and hoodie etc. I don’t wear a headscarf. But we are all brown!

Are we going to get trouble? We’ve booked a cottage in a lovely little village which I imagine doesn’t see many brown folks.

I don’t venture out of London much and forget it’s a different world out there sometimes.

I just want a nice holiday without being gawped at.

OP posts:
AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 20/05/2018 21:25

Eek. We're going to North Norfolk this summer. We're white but dh is German and the dc are bilingual. I didn't think for a second that xenophobiamight be an issue, but the other thread implies so.

nervousnails · 20/05/2018 21:28

Norfolk is as racist as London. There. Now what do you do?

maxthemartian · 20/05/2018 21:30

I wish people wouldn't get so defensive, it's not helpful. If you're white you won't have a clue.

Vintagebeads · 20/05/2018 21:31

North Norfolk is brimming with Londoners for breaks and holidays ,especially Wells BTS it's likely you will meet more Londoners than people from Norfolk.
I am really disappointed that it has a reputation for racism. I have only ever had great experiences with Norfolk it's a lovely place.

kirinm · 20/05/2018 21:32

You do realise that somebody saying 'that coloured family' is not acceptable and just because they're not used to seeing different ethnicities doesn't make that okay?

I've no experience of Norfolk OP but I hope you have a lovely time.

LucheroTena · 20/05/2018 21:32

North Norfolk is generally upmarket and full of Londoners (or ex Londoners). I don’t think you’ll have a problem there.

Lindtbunny77 · 20/05/2018 21:34

I think you will be fine. Norwich is very diverse, in lots of ways as are other bigger towns. Norfolk as a county is popular for people from elsewhere to relocate to / holiday in so is not quite as 'local' as it used to be. We are a multiracial family, though choose not to cover, but have never had any problems. I have heard of unpleasantness, more so since Brexit, but I think no worse than anywhere else. There are a*holes everywhere! Where are you planning to stay?

FullOfJellyBeans · 20/05/2018 21:35

Why are people getting so defensive? At least in the past there were certainly places in the UK that were mainly white and had massive issues with racism. I once went on a holiday to Yorkshire with a friend who is Asian (albeit this was 10 years ago) and we experience overt racism (like people on multiple occasions shouting things at her in the street). I would hope it wasn't still the case but I can see why OP is concerned.

ShinyShooney · 20/05/2018 21:35

I am very much not white and think yabu.

I have spent a lot of time in the cotswolds and a lot of predominantly white countryside places. You are more likely to be being stared at because you are dressed up- if you dress the same as london and are a dressy person then people will stare- I get this in the North even in places with tons of minorities.

If you walk around thinking people will stare it will feel like they are.

grasspigeons · 20/05/2018 21:35

I hope you go and have a lovely times as its a lovely bit of the country.

It is intimidating walking into a bar and everyone stopping and looking at you and I'm not sure why people are pretending that kind of thing doesn't happen.

However, you're not moving there, but exploring countryside and buildings for a short time so hopefully nothing will happen.

UrsulaPandress · 20/05/2018 21:36

Norfolk is dull as ditchwater.

HollaHolla · 20/05/2018 21:36

Gawd. The OP just wanted to ask a valid question.
I’m mixed race, and Scottish. I go to Norwich regularly to see a friend. I’ve had open staring - especially when I open my mouth. I might not go back if it weren’t for my friend. I’ve not had abuse, but have certainly been someone of interest. This totally baffles me.... I’ve lived all over the world and here has been one of the oddest reactions

Sparrowlegs248 · 20/05/2018 21:37

Locals staring when you walk into a pub in rural Norfolk. Honestly, this is true and happens to me if I ever venture into my "local". I've only lived in the village 8 years. I'm 40, and white.

ShinyShooney · 20/05/2018 21:38

Fullof Where in Yorkshire was that exactly?

I have spent tons of time there in towns and more rural locations over the past 30 years. Never had anything racist said- certainly not shouted at in the street other than the odd wolf whistle. All the old ladies where happy to talk to me in shopping queues and bus stops- never been treated oddly.

massi71 · 20/05/2018 21:38

OP I'm brown too. We stayed in Blakeney. Fucking racist place as I got stared at and muttered about with sly looks when we went into local pubs. I dont wear a headscarf and dress "western". My white DH tested it by going in first to see if it was the Stranger thing people were looking at. Nope he didn't get a glance. DC and me? Yep.

In Norfolk shops with sales staff putting my change on the counter rather than risk touching my hand when the white person before and after me had change put in their hands. Yep. Racist. Don't let anyone gaslight you on this thread because as non brown people they may not have that as their experience or reality.

pinkhorse · 20/05/2018 21:39

I live here and don't know anyone that has been a victim of racism!

ShowOfHands · 20/05/2018 21:39

Good point about N Norfolk in summer. It's mostly London tourists!

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 20/05/2018 21:40

@kirinm yes, I do know it's completely unacceptable, and I would say so to the other person - my point was more that it's not intended as racism, just people not being quite as aware as they should be (I know that doesn't make it any better, however).

EddyF · 20/05/2018 21:41

I am really worried for my relative as well. He's applied for uni there. He's small and quiet.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/05/2018 21:41

It is intimidating walking into a bar and everyone stopping and looking at you and I'm not sure why people are pretending that kind of thing doesn't happen

I have had that happen on a number of occasions, but as I am white British I just assumed it was because I wasn't a local, so it's not always a racism thing. Oddly enough i have also been charged more for some fruit in a greengrocers in Perranporth because I wasn't a local.

jamoncrumpets · 20/05/2018 21:41

Well, pinkhorse, my white brother was racially abused in our street and called a Paki when he was 7 years old. He was just really tanned from a summer of playing outside. As I said before, I grew up in Norfolk.

MyShinyWhiteTeeth · 20/05/2018 21:41

I'm white and used to live in Norfolk.

It can be really racist in certain areas. Many of my non-white friends have faced very direct racism. To deny that it happens is just as bad.

It depends where you are visiting. Poorer areas seem to be more of a problem.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 20/05/2018 21:43

@nottalotta YY to locals staring at anyone who walks into a pub that is more of a 'local' pub than a tourist area gastropub. I get that happen to me, and I'm white. There are certain pubs that have an air of The Slaughtered Lamb to them...

massi71 · 20/05/2018 21:44

Pinkhorse.

Define what a victim of racism is.

pinkhorse · 20/05/2018 21:45

Well I've lived here my whole life and never knew anybody that has come across racism. Obviously there will be the odd person anywhere you go but to say Norfolk is racist is a bit extreme.