[Closed] Wales! Damn this place!

mrblobby - Member
Cardiff isn’t really proper Wales though

Similar to the exodus from London by Londoners in the 70's and 80's ...

My inlaws retired to Angelsey and by all accounts had a terrible time with the locals who made it obvious they werent welcome.. After round two years they sold up and came back to Notts just down the road from me!! Something I'll never be able to forgive the Welsh for 😀

Alternatively I spend quite a bit of time in north wales for sailing competitions and have never had a bad experience.. although I must say I rarely heard a single person with a welsh accent much less any Welsh being spoken. Must be a coastal thing.

You may or may not know that a lot of NE Wales accents sound much like NE England.

My inlaws retired to Angelsey and by all accounts had a terrible time with the locals who made it obvious they werent welcome.

That can happen anywhere. It's just that when they are 'different' in some way you ascribe that behaviour to that particular trait. Welsh, Muslim, black, American etc.

Incomers can be a problem for many of areas, distorting house prices and so on.

My mate was a civil engineer building one of the major roads into north wales from England and he reckoned he had to keep it quiet from the locals to avoid abuse because he was increasing the links between them and England.

Said entering the local pub in work gear was like the pub scene in An American Werewolf in London.

I spend a good portion of my working life and free time in Wales and really don't ever come across any more hostility there than anywhere else.

There seems to be a bit of paranoia from some people here.
Welsh folks talking Welsh in Wales. How very dare they. 🙄

Im welsh and lived here my whole life but dont speak welsh and the one time I visited angelsey I was made to feel like a foreigner 😆

Definitely an exception to the rule though

Im welsh and lived here my whole life but dont speak welsh and the one time I visited angelsey I was made to feel like a foreigner

Doesn't that just mean that they spoke Welsh in your vicinity?

I had the opposite experience. Back in the 80s I was in North Wales on a climbing trip. My mate and I went into a village shop.The one other customer and the staff were talking in Welsh until they heard our Scottish accents at which point they switched to English for the rest of the time we were in the shop.

An Englishmen living in North Wales here. Thing is, what some might be missing, is that the first language of many here [i]is[/i] Welsh. I've found folk (inc. on Anglesey) to be remarkably generous in that most folk tend to switch to English once they realise a monoglot is in their midst. On life here, I love it - probably more than I know. Biking is second to nowhere in the UK, especially when you know the homecrafted trails that don't get listed in the magazines. Love the roady stuff here too. Fewer Starbucks and Gap stores, but who g...

I grew up in south Wales in a non-Welsh speaking family. The town itself is very much English-only speaking. My next door neighbours spoke Welsh though. The woman wouldn't let the little boy play with us initially. She gave up eventually and he spent a lot of time at our house. There was always a separation though. Fast forward 20 years and committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree. Don't know what this says apart from the fact that there are clearly bigger things to worry about than the language you speak.

Where else can you get to chat with clients who are direct descendants of Agincourt archers who still live in the same valley and farms as they did some 600 years ago.

Loving the generalisation of the Welsh going on here.
I have lived and worked all over the UK and am currently in Austria.
What I have learnt from this is that generally, if you are nice to the locals, they will be nice to you. If however you come across as an arsehole, you will be treated as one.
Another plus might be to learn a bit of the local language, even if it’s only the word thank you. I speak Welsh and English fluently. I speak very good German and my Portuguese is quite understandable. I could have not bothered learning another language and just spoken English to everyone as we all know “everyone understands English so what’s the point in learning anything else“.
My point is be nice, locals will be nice. Be a dick and suffer the abuse of the locals.

What I have learnt from this is that generally, if you are nice to the locals, they will be nice to you. If however you come across as an arsehole, you will be treated as one.

*Applauds*

Riding round Beddgelert Forest once a couple of blokes in full camouflage gear with a hunting bow popped out of the trees. I asked them in English what they were hoping to get. One replied something in Welsh gesticulating wildly which I took to mean **** off back home you English **** but could equally have been an enquiry whether I wanted to buy some cheap venison sausages.

Another time me and a mate from the FoD went to TJs in Newport to see a Welsh punk band called Anhrefen (or something very similar). During one fairly lengthy song break they were urging a very receptive crowd (well 3 other blokes and a dog) to go round painting out the English on road signs and burn down English holiday cottages. Ironically they must have been saying this in English otherwise I wouldn't have understood it. That was the night I perfected my Welsh accent and a toleration for Brains beer.

No one burnt my tent down wildcamping up The Cambrian Way and back down Offa's Dyke recently but I'm sure I got overcharged for some pork pies in Mallwyd.

Doesn't that just mean that they spoke Welsh in your vicinity?

No, I`m perfectly used to that, but when you walk into a shop and they speak to you in welsh and you politely say "sorry I dont speak welsh" and they continue to talk to you in welsh even when you again say you dont understand it can be a bit annoying.

I wouldn't expect any different in france or spain... but you know for a fact these people can speak english so you would think if asked politely they could talk to you to let you buy something rather than make you leave because you dont know what they are saying...

and I was only about 11...

No, I`m perfectly used to that, but when you walk into a shop and they speak to you in welsh and you politely say "sorry I dont speak welsh" and they continue to talk to you in welsh even when you again say you dont understand it can be a bit annoying.

Right, so the people in the shop were speaking Welsh. You told them that you couldn't speak Welsh and they continued to speak to you in Welsh - forcing you to leave.

I don't believe you. Where and when did this happen?

iolo +1 (particularly the last point)
I’ve lived studied and worked in Wales and made the effort of learning a few phrases, just as I have in all the countries I’ve worked in since. Generally a few phrases even poorly delivered are greatly appreciated (even when you get your Spanish and Portuguese mixed up or attempting Swedish in a Norwegian accent...)

One island, one people, one language. I vote for French because it sounds sexy.

don't believe you. Where and when did this happen?

Not that I really care if you beleive me 😉 but in holly head about 16 years ago

Im welsh and as anywhere most people are great and some are cocks im just saying that there are people out there that do these things in a small minority which I have only experienced once in one location in a lifetime of living here.

One island, one people, one language. I vote for French because it sounds sexy.

Only sexy when spoken by the 50% of the population with tits.

Spent two weeks in Wales this year. Was due to be Slovenia, but seeing as I was already in London it kind of made more sense to sit on the M4 for a few hours.

Didn't have any bad experiences and felt welcome wherever we were.

Beautiful landscapes, deserted beaches, good food and beer.

Not sure I'd like to live in some of the old mining towns or valleys. The size and shape of the locals was shocking.

If the climate was more Mediterranean it would be as crowded as Tuscany.

Only sexy when spoken by the 50% of the population with tits.

If the climate was more Mediterranean it would be as crowded as Tuscany.

Bonjour

Swoons

In the farmers arms in St Davids currently. All a lovely friendly place

Good pub that 🙂

Lived in Wales for a long time now, definitely a friendlier place in general than the SE where I grew up

We go there every year for boxing day, but today the time came up spare so we went for a few beers. Proper fun, loads of chatty locals. One trying to chat up Mrs weeksy. Back home for beers.

Love the way that copa's only response to people seems to be " I don't believe You, when did that happen

I've had a few experiences of people being complete xenophobic dicks in Wales. Wouldn't move there as a consequence. But then given that they've got the English behaving like dicks next door I suppose I need to cut them some slack

Lived in Wales for a long time now, definitely a friendlier place in general than the SE where I grew up

Prick!

Sorry, I meant to say season's greetings neighbour!

(Ps I might make Kev's ride on wed)

I've had anti-english sentiment shown to us while staying in Bala while paddling, but not for over 20 years. At the time we also had problems with being a mixed gender group in a pub which had a definite policy of blokes in one bar and women in the other. More recently it's been an incredibly friendly place to visit, and living on the English / Welsh border I spend a fair bit of time there. The only problem I've had recently with the Welsh is my best mate who's a Brecon lad. He's rubbish after a couple of beers 😉

Good stuff Wonny (making the ride not calling me a prick you arsehole! 😆 )

Bah ****ing humbug

I didn't abuse you yesterday, ferrals - should I have? 😆

Not sure about Kev's ride yet, but it would be nice to get out.

I've had a few experiences of people being complete xenophobic dicks in Wales.

I've had the same, as a Welshman living in England. What's your point?

The bunch of us riding yesterday were half English. My stepmother and sister-in-law are English. Several of the people I work with are English. If anti-English sentiment was so bad then I suspect they'd struggle to live in Wales. There really are lots of English people living all through Wales.

After moving from Canada to Manchester 15 years ago, and spending 2 years there, circumstances then brought us to Cardiff, where I have been the happiest I have been since leaving Montreal in the 1990s.

I love the city, and our adopted country. I have visited North Wales a few times, spent quite a bit of time in the West (between Lampeter and Aberystwyth), and done a lot of exploring in South Wales.

For a Canadian expat, Wales has provided all the culture, the history, the wilderness, the beauty, and the adventure I could hope for. And although there are other parts of the UK I dearly love (the Northeast, for example), I can't imagine being happier anywhere else.

Love the way that copa's only response to people seems to be " I don't believe You, when did that happen

The general trope is that English speakers go into Welsh pubs/shops and everyone suddenly switches to speaking Welsh - as a sign of hostilitiy.

Despite the various claims on here, I don't think this has ever happened...in the history of the world.

It's rooted in people going into Welsh speaking areas and feeling uncomfortable when not everyone in their vicinity switches to speaking English.

Had good and bad experiences in Wales. Just like anywhere else on this planet. There are dickheads everywhere. Visited a social club in Resolven (nr Glynneath, South Wakes) in 2003. There was a sign in the window that read ‘No Dogs, No English’. I thought it was a joke until about half a pint in! Also met friendliest people ever in Conwy. Couldn’t help enough. They continued to speak Welsh after dealing with us and it didn’t bother me a jot. Felt rather embarrassed I couldn’t even say thank you in Welsh. I’d usually make an effort in other parts of Europe.

I've had a few experiences of people being complete xenophobic dicks in Wales.

We've had anti Welsh xenophobia on this very thread!

Visited a social club in Resolven (nr Glynneath, South Wakes) in 2003. There was a sign in the window that read ‘No Dogs, No English’. I thought it was a joke until about half a pint in.

Why would you go somewhere like that? I live maybe 10 miles away and wouldn't venture into that sort of place unless I was with a regular.

Is this the problem? People don't realise that they are visiting quite rough, very working class areas?

I went a party at a valleys social club a few year ago and they still had a separate bar with no women allowed...

Despite the various claims on here, I don't think this has ever happened...in the history of the world.

FWIW this has happened to me in a pub near Llanelli.

Thought it was a bit pathetic & pointless IMHO.

IdleJon, went with my brother-in-law who was living local at the time, in Ynysarwed, albeit Irish. He was also a Para based in Sennybridge (detached). I guess it was easy to spot my accent being a Yorkshireman. He thought it was highly amusing. And so did I, but that could be because I was with a 6’5” brick s#*thouse!

I've been in Wales a few times and never felt any hostility towards me.

wiggles - Member
I went a party at a valleys social club a few year ago and they still had a separate bar with no women allowed...

Pretty sure the social in Ponty is still men only.

IdleJon - Member
People don't realise that they are visiting quite rough, very working class areas?

Bit of stereotyping to go along with the Welsh xenophobia?

Don't ge me wrong - I really like Wales & find the Welsh very friendly. I've spent a lot of time there in form or another.

But don't kid yourself that there's no such thing as a chippy Welshman.

Oh, by the way, I’m from The arse end of Huddersfield and wouldn’t use that as an excuse to act like a troglodyte. However, there are equal troglodytes in Huddersfield as there is everywhere else!

But don't kid yourself that there's no such thing as a chippy Welshman.

Aye, of course.

But that's different from the story that's being claimed here ie that a pub full of people will switch to speaking Welsh after an English speaker walks in, as a show of hostility.

It's absurd. It's an apocryphal tale.

What may have happened is that you've been in a Welsh speaking area and an environment where you feel uncomfortable; where you felt it would have been polite if people had switched to English.

Bit of stereotyping to go along with the Welsh xenophobia?

❓

I'm Welsh you div (I've also met you plenty of times 😆 )

Are you suggesting that the average valley town is demographically similar to the average Surrey town that the abused English MTBer is from?

That's really made me chuckle.

Get over yourself Copa.

Been uncomfortable?

You assume a lot. I'm 46 & ive been to a lot more uncomfortable countries than Wales.

It happens.

Show of hostility? I don't know, don't care either.

Point being it happens - accept it.

What happened was:

I walked into a typical S Welsh boozer with about 3 men in it. Within a minute or 2 I heard a switch of language by one bloke - after we left I commented to my Lancs mate, who lives there, to check it just happened & he agreed.

We were both surprised - 20 yrs of playing & working in Wales & this was the first time.

I can accept it's rare, but you need to accept it does happen.

I was there & I know what happened, I've also a witness whose lived in Wales for the last 20yrs.

I walked into a typical S Welsh boozer with about 3 men in it. Within a minute or 2 I heard a switch of language by one bloke - after we left I commented to my Lancs mate, who lives there, to check it just happened & he agreed.

So you were in a pub in Wales and heard somebody speaking Welsh.
Am I missing something?

Lived in wales for seventeen years
Never ever seen this happen ever which is weird because I hear the tale spouted by just about everyone I’ve ever met that visited once
It’s allways a pub or a local shop
What I have witnessed though is people switching between welsh and English constantly during conversations it’s just part of life

What I have learnt from this is that generally, if you are nice to the locals, they will be nice to you.

Yep.
I've been to plenty of different countries (as a tourist) and generally people are nice and will always try and help despite any language barriers.

Except Wales.
Miserable bunch, I blame the weather.

What I have witnessed though is people switching between Welsh and English constantly during conversations

Which merely proves what a pointless and ineffectual language Welsh is.

😀

True 😀

I've been to plenty of different countries (as a tourist) and generally people are nice and will always try and help despite any language barriers.

Do you just shout loudly and slowly and point a lot.

Which merely proves what a pointless and ineffectual language Welsh is.

Only if you're an ignorant asshat.

Given their form I'm surprised the English are as tolerated/welcomed as they are.

So you were in a pub in Wales and heard somebody speaking Welsh.
Am I missing something?

No, you nugget.

I heard 2 blokes switch from speaking English to speaking Welsh.

Why is that concept so hard to grasp?

wiggles - Member
I went a party at a valleys social club a few year ago and they still had a separate bar with no women allowed...

But to fair plenty of posh English golf clubs have that too, so that's not really a Welsh thing or a class thing either 😆

But to fair plenty of posh English golf clubs have that too, so that's not really a Welsh thing or a class thing either

Best part was it was a fancy dress party and a mate was dressed as a woman... we went down there because that was where the pool table was and they tried to kick him out and he had a full on argument with some locals that barely came short of whipping his cock out 😆

I heard 2 blokes switch from speaking English to speaking Welsh.

Why is that concept so hard to grasp?

Because, like all of these claims - it's absurd.
You heard people speaking Welsh in a Welsh pub.

perditus - Member

Do you just shout loudly and slowly and point a lot?

Only when in Rome.

Only if you're an ignorant asshat.

Is that the Welsh for donkey jacket?

So- you didn't like hearing Welsh people speaking welsh. Simple, stay away.

FWIW I have lived and worked in Carmarthenshire for the last three and a half decades. I have never felt threatened by the locals speaking the language. I speak a bit but not much and I certainly couldn't have a conversation in welsh.

I must admit to finding the attitude shown by some here to be arrogant and bigoted. If you visit a different country surely you expect that the locals might speak a different language? And are you so vain that you think that people are always talking about you? And even if they are, big deal- does it really matter that much? Drink your pint, pay up and leave. You can take your smugness with you, knowing that you are better than them. They will be happy to have got shot of those bloody saes and will continue to bemoan their lot. 😉

@Idle Jon- come and join us for a ride, we visit some very choice establishments. Resolfen rocks!

Ambrose, in Garnant.

PS, I'm an incomer (1985), with a varied heritage. I'd be proud to be considered Welsh.

IdleJon - Member

Are you suggesting that the average valley town is demographically similar to the average Surrey town that the abused English MTBer is from?

No - just trying to highlight your link between working class & being ‘quite rough’ ... going off topic some I know; but I find working class areas of the valleys far more open, welcoming and friendlier than more affluent parts.

Then again - I’d probably be described as valleys, rough working class anyways

Mooman, I know working class doesn't always equal rough. I grew up in a 'rougher' part of Swansea. It wasn't really, but to outsiders that's how it looked. (And still does.) I now live just below Townhill - salt of the earth! 😆

Ambrose - thanks for the offer. 😀 You should have joined us for the Pigs Xmas eve ride on Gower. I finished covered in mud and soaked through. Most of the others went to the pub. I'm sure they would have flooded the place and covered the regulars in crap just by walking through the door. (And were mainly English...)

But that's different from the story that's being claimed here ie that a pub full of people will switch to speaking Welsh after an English speaker walks in, as a show of hostility.

It's absurd. It's an apocryphal tale.

What may have happened is that you've been in a Welsh speaking area and an environment where you feel uncomfortable; where you felt it would have been polite if people had switched to English.

I reckon what happens is a welsh speaker is in the pub speaking english to people who are english speaking but welsh. More people come in who speak welsh so people switch.

I heard 2 blokes switch from speaking English to speaking Welsh.

They might've been switching all evening long and you wouldn't have known.

They might've been switching all evening long and you wouldn't have known.

I've been thinking about this - Welsh is one of the few languages where speakers swap randomly into English part-way through a sentence and then swap back. (English speakers unwittingly use lots of foreign words, of course but it's not as obvious as when someone is speaking a 'foreign' language.)

Sitting in Farmers arms again, there's lovely. Liverpool v Swansea soon. Just watched Leeds game as a warm up.

If it goes to form you might want to tone down that scouse accent

Lost my smiley wink off the end!!!

I heard 2 blokes switch from speaking English to speaking Welsh.

Having lived in Wales all my life I was convinced that a pubfull of people switching from English to Welsh on arrival of strangers was bollocks, but here’s video evidence:

By the way, it is nonsense. I don’t belive it ever happened.