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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Armi · 20/05/2018 21:45

In the summer, London empties out into Norfolk. Burnham Market is known as ‘Chelsea on Sea’. You’ll be fine.

It’s North Norfolk, not rural Georgia (as depicted in Deliverance.)

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/05/2018 21:46

@sadeyedlady are there werewolves in Norfolk?

brimfullofasha · 20/05/2018 21:46

A black African friend of mine relocated to Norwich and was concerned that she'd suffer racism. She said she was treated somewhat as a 'novelty' but she didn't encounter any overt racism there or otherwise in Norfolk.

It is a very white place but they are used to tourists. It's nice place for a holiday and I hope you have a lovely time.

Tumsnet · 20/05/2018 21:46

OP, you may not experience a racist incident but you will get stared at. I am of Asian heritage and I grew up in Wiltshire and although the locals have had more exposure to non white people over the last 35 years, in some places you can't avoid the stares. That's at the very least.

massi71 · 20/05/2018 21:47

So how do you explain my experience then pinkhorse?

jamoncrumpets · 20/05/2018 21:48

Just don't go to Swaffham, Dereham, Fakenham or King's Lynn. Stick to Blakeney, Holt and Burnham Market - everybody is much too Barbour and Hunter wellies to be overtly racist there. Just don't mention Brexit.

kirinm · 20/05/2018 21:48

@pinkhorse are you white?

Turnitupdrhill · 20/05/2018 21:50

I noticed homophobia in North Norfolk. We came across very loud, obviously well to do, tweed dressed groups a couple of times in pubs who were being openly and very loudly derogatory about gay people.

MistressDeeCee · 20/05/2018 21:50

FFS - the OP is understandably worried about racism, and I’m pretty sure she knows more about it than everyone piling in. Maybe try not gaslighting her?

^™ Exactly

No of course not everyone is racist but that does not mean nobody is, obviously!

& we're in an era of inflammatory right wing media who stir up racism. & people that deny racism even exists. So I'd be wary too.

There are places outside London I've had blatant staring and comments including a Sig Heil sign in The Cotswolds, a place I was told 'oh it'll be fine'🙄 .

People are mostly nice, polite and friendly too. But not everyone is so, just be on your guard but don't let it stop you enjoying yourself

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 20/05/2018 21:50

@EddyF Norwich is the most diverse area of Norfolk, because it's the only city. Tons of overseas students here, and the city as a whole has changed a lot & for the better since I grew up here. It also voted remain in Brexit. I'm not saying there aren't racists here, because that would be utter tosh, but then again, when the National Front decided to stage a march here, the 200 of them were met with a crowd of thousands celebrating love & diversity who then had a massive party in one of the city parks Grin I'd say Norwich is no better or worse than any city of similar size.

Gwenhwyfar · 20/05/2018 21:51

"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."

I'm white and live in a medium-sized city, but still get stared at if I walk into a 'locals' pub. It's not necessarily nasty.

I remember going to Alton Towers as a child. I must have stared a hell of a lot as it was like a completely different world with so many south Asian people wearing completely different clothes.

MistressDeeCee · 20/05/2018 21:53

If you walk round with a chip on your shoulder

Skint I haven't heard anyone say that in donkeys years😮

Why isn't there a 'cringe' emoticon

ragged · 20/05/2018 21:54

Sikh friend from Leicestershire says she feels uncomfy in NNk (Wells to be specific), sorry, says she stands out & her (English white) husband felt their children were stared at (this is only 5 or so yrs ago). Friend sighs about it being a "Brownie-free-zone"

jamoncrumpets · 20/05/2018 21:54

DH grew up in Norfolk too. I just told him about this thread and asked him if he thinks Norfolk is racist. His response? 'His the Pope catholic?'

Mossandclover · 20/05/2018 21:55

Not rtft but to make huge generalisation about a group of people based on their colour and where they live is surely racist? Sorry OP but I find your post offensive.

Storminateapot · 20/05/2018 21:55

Sorry but you're being ridiculous. I live in Suffolk and East Anglia isn't full of bigoted inbreds - we're normal people, we have media same as everywhere else, perfectly tolerant and inclusive. You're safe from witch burning & wicker men Hmm

We're off to the north Norfolk coast this summer too. You'll love it, it's beautiful!

FullOfJellyBeans · 20/05/2018 21:55

ShinyShooney

We stayed just outside of York and drove around quite a bit. To be fair it wasn't the majority of people by any stretch of the imagination, but it did happen and was intimidating and spoiled the trip a bit.

MistressDeeCee · 20/05/2018 22:00

Not rtft but to make huge generalisation about a group of people based on their colour and where they live is surely racist? Sorry OP but I find your post offensive

Moss you know very well the OP is asking a question based on concerns, she's not here brawling out "everyone is racist" is she? Stop trying it on.

I wouldn't ask a question if it were Norwich, bit if surrounding areas I absolutely would

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 20/05/2018 22:01

@sweeneytoddsrazor Well, we have got Black Shuck... www.invisibleworks.co.uk/category/black-dog-tales/

jamoncrumpets · 20/05/2018 22:03

Oh the old 'racism against white people' argument. Aka the weakest argument ever.

Original poster
Faffandahalf · 20/05/2018 22:03

Thank you to those who have relates their experiences both good and bad.

We are staying in Cley.

I don’t understand the defensiveness and aggression.

I have been a victim of racism. I know what racism is. I’ve been called a paki. This was in London so I’m well aware it’s no utopia.

I’m sorry I used the phrase ‘Norfolk is horribly racist’.

But as some people’s experiences show it can be racist as can anywhere else. But at least in London I’m hardly ever the only ethnic minority in the room. I can’t even remember the last time I was tbh.

And maybe people don’t understand that awful feeling of being the ‘other’ in a place and the staring but I do.

In addition we are Muslim, my sister openly so and that’s an added concern.

Of course we will
Go about our holiday and have fun and the kids will love the beaches and the boats.

It’s not the end of the bloody world I get that but some unfortunate googling got me worried.

I don’t need to defend my feelings or explain racism and how it feels.

OP posts:
MyShinyWhiteTeeth · 20/05/2018 22:03

jamoncrumpets
Just don't go to Swaffham, Dereham, Fakenham or King's Lynn. Stick to Blakeney, Holt and Burnham Market

I'd agree with this.

I think it's the most racist part of the country.

UterusUterusGhali · 20/05/2018 22:04

Unbefuckingleivable the whitesplaining and racism on this thread. "chip on your shoulder" ? For real?
"I've not experienced racism" say white people.

Jesus wept.

Jenala · 20/05/2018 22:04

I live in Norfolk and I don't think it's especially racist. It's not very ethnically diverse though it's becoming more so. I would be massively surprised if you had any trouble though, Norwich is very lefty on the whole, probably in part due to the uni. There's loads of international students etc.

I think any rural UK area with lots of older white people who've perhaps not travelled lots will have problems but here it would be limited to an old country boy looking a second too long at most.

North Norfolk is very naice and everyone will fall over themselves to be nice and polite and friendly, I'm sure. I spent Saturday in Holkham and Wells and it was lovely. Do see holkham beach if you can it's beautiful.

Samantha77hat · 20/05/2018 22:05

Not much point linking to a single article about a Norwich taxi driver who suffered racist abuse as proof that Norfolk is racist, that could literally have happened anywhere

If you look for evidence of something you will usually find it so not sure why OP followed their original post with 'it turns out that Norfolk is horribly racist', these comments are ignorant and offensive to any non-racists in Norfolk

OP seems fairly hysterical I suggest you calm down and just have a nice holiday. As someone else said, if you go around expecting funny looks wherever you go and being very sensitive to it I am sure you will encounter it whether it is happening or not. I'm sure lots of white people get 'funny looks' the whole time too. I'm sure the people who you think are looking at you, are actually not bothered at all.