Op I agree languages education in Uk is appalling. I learnt french at school (very poorly) but after leaving school a combination of genuine interest in and travel overseas meant I made the effort to learn other languages. I can speak 3 fairly well a further 2 I can get by and another 2 I can make laughable attempts at. But they’re all European I wouldn’t know where to begin with eg an Asian language!
@PhillipJennings the fish on Friday thing is a throwback to old catholic practice. Used to be catholic’s didn’t eat meat on Fridays as a way to commemorate Christ’s sacrifice on good Friday. Sunday roast also church based, would be cooking while the family was in church on Sunday morning and served when they got home which is lunchtime generally in Uk. Not sure about other countries.
On uk retail, not only stupid hours that aren’t useful to consumers but the customer service is TERRIBLE!
When I went to live overseas as an adult (I’d lived there as a small child too but don’t really remember it) I was blown away by the excellent customer service, from the way they let you know they welcomed you into a store without erring into hard sell, asking questions that showed a genuine interest, making the effort to get to know you as a regular customer and your preferred choices and information that affected choices, making whoever was with you feel welcome to what seemed extraordinary but actually very sound business choices like having TVs playing sport for boyfriends/husbands to watch near the changing rooms in women’s fashion shops (yes ok hardly feminist but practical and means the men aren’t rushing the women trying on clothes to get a move on meaning they spend more time trying stuff on and more likely to buy), coffee served to people accompanying those trying things on, lollipops & small toys given to kiddies, speedy & competent service in cafes and restaurants, which are happy to go off menu if possible or adjust a dish...
Here you’re lucky if you get a smile these days!
@verily1 that’s actually one of the schemes I was referring to, and your description is incorrect from my knowledge, there was a precinct of shops, pool, football pitch, community centre and medical centre incorporated into it and the flats had balconies! I’ve photos of myself & siblings and cousins playing on them!
On carpets I WISH my upstairs neighbours had carpets! Many of us in the Uk live in poorly insulated flats I can hear every step but in addition they have a small child they allow to run around daft in heavy boots ALL the time. He starts around 6.30 am every morning...and doesn’t stop until around 9pm!
How your name can identify your class try having a name that reads like an English name but is pronounced differently as you’re not English. Had so many English people try and tell me I’m pronouncing my own name wrongly.
On ID cards, as someone who was a forces dependent most of my life and had an ID card then I too don’t understand the resistance. Was so much easier when I had one - and it was free! I’d love a free/cheap photo ID card that fit in my purse (I don’t drive currently and I rarely travel outside Uk due to finances)