Can yall give me some overall info about England?
Posted by the_Countess_Of_BR@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 79 comments
I'm Brazilian and i've been in love with England since maybe 5 yo, so I wanna ask about it in general now that i'm an adult who can travel. How is the country right now? Is it a good moment for tourism or immigration? The politics, etc...
deadgoodundies@reddit
Definitely don't only stick to the cities, go and travel the countryside it is stunning.
Also don't limit yourself to just England, head on over to Wales or Scotland.
I've lived here all my life and never been to Scotland but Wales I like to head to the coast as I live just over the Welsh border (English side) when I can just to chill out and relax.
Aromatic_Carob_9532@reddit
Advising someone from Brasil to go to Scotland, what's the special occasion?
furrycroissant@reddit
Lose the 'yall' please.
Tulpamemnon@reddit
We have some huge spiders... Oh. Hold on...
deadgoodundies@reddit
From the scream that came from my wife when she went in the bathroom this morning you are actually right.
Tulpamemnon@reddit
Aww. I gotcha! I get... "I put it out with a glass and a card last night. Now ITS BACK!!"
LordAnchemis@reddit
If you're a tourist - none of that matters
Live-Doctor-4188@reddit
Foreigner's who say they like or love England, it's not the country it was let's say about fifty, sixty years ago so be warned. A lot has changed and they are often are let down by it. They are just seeing what it was like in old films and old footage online.
the_Countess_Of_BR@reddit (OP)
Actually not my case, I'm more into the History itself more then anything. I wanna see the castles, palaces, the historical streets. I actually want see most of Europe.
KatVanWall@reddit
If you like castles, I recommend heading to northeast Northumberland! There’s tons of great ones there, all in different stages of repair or disrepair! The beaches are beautiful round there too.
Tourism advice will differ depending on whether you want to see countryside, cities, or à mix of both.
Train travel is very expensive (especially last minute - not as bad if you prebook). Driving always takes longer than you think it should do based on the distance, but renting a car isn’t a bad shout, as lots of places don’t have good public transport, and even when they do, buses especially can be hard to research/decipher even as a native. If you like the countryside you’re almost certain to want the use of a car.
I’m sure there are racist twats everywhere, but afaik we have a generally positive perception of Brazilians here. I’m middle-aged and haven’t been to Brazil or met many people from there, and the main stereotypes I carry for Brazil are football and glamorous ladies (both of which are rather popular here).
Live-Doctor-4188@reddit
Yes, you asked about tourism you will probably be okay.
I_will_never_reply@reddit
The UK in general is a calm and law abiding place, safe and secure. That said, there are some areas, towns and cities which can be a bit intimidating because of having a different cultural base ALTHOUGH that doesn't mean they're not safe. London is a different planet in every way and is not really representative of 'England' or the UK. People in the UK are very used to a diverse range of visitors
shugavery96@reddit
Ok, so I posted a comment earlier that was taken totally out of context so let me rephrase myself.
Like other people have mentioned, the country looks like it may fall under far-right rule which isn’t really ideal for immigrants if I’m being candid. There are also certain areas (mainly working and under class/impoverished) where some people are expressing a lot of anti-immigration rhetoric. Obviously, this isn’t representative of everyone and everywhere but it is happening, so I and others would be remiss and irresponsible to not inform you of that. Again, this is not me agreeing with this sentiment, but simply stating facts.
Also, a lot of people are struggling financially because the cost of everything is rising while income stays fairly stagnant. However, if you have a trade or qualification that gives you the means to live comfortably then you should be fine.
On the bright side, Britain has some beautiful areas and people are really friendly for the most part—some areas more than others. The West Midlands, North and Scotland are notoriously warm and chatty.
If you want my honest, unbiased opinion—if your heart is set on it, come here but I’m going to give you some advice. Scotland would probably be your wisest choice for several reasons: cost of housing is lower, their politics are pretty left wing and liberal, people are lovely, it’s absolutely beautiful and they have better social policies, etc. I’d recommend the outskirts of Edinburgh—close enough to travel for work but cheaper housing.
Good luck and I hope everything turns out really well for you!
Verbal-Gerbil@reddit
An easy way to look at it is.....around the world we'd see bolsonaro and his support. You could be fooled into thinking Brazil is racist and everyone there is a bigot who holds a vile position. You'd see the difference - it exists but it doesn't dominate society. It's the same here
Plus Brazilians are not one of the groups that attracts hate, and tourists are generally fine because it's immigrants who are targeted
Plus London is very multicultural and no-one would bat an eyelid. My barber is Brazilian and he would be considered a normal Londonder
sbaldrick33@reddit
It's being shunted further Right, like pretty much everywhere else in the world, and the government are a bunch of useless tossers, which is frustrating and scary, as every realistic alternative is even worse.
But it's still not bad on the day-to-day for most people at the moment.
JCDU@reddit
Has a government ever not been a bunch of useless tossers?
I mean, Churchill got shit done, but since then...?
sbaldrick33@reddit
Attle, tor starters. But basically any government who had anything to do with rebuilding the damn country after the War did such a good job that every shitwitted generation since has taken the achievement for granted... Started to bitch about it, even.
JCDU@reddit
Ah yes, I forget the rebuilding of the country was such smooth sailing and the country & our industry was famously well-run and efficient post-war...
sbaldrick33@reddit
That's a pretty lame response. Pretty sure fighting the War itself wasn't smooth sailing either, but that didn't stop you blowing smoke up Winston's arse.
Fangle_Spangle@reddit
To be fair, even Churchill was an incredibly flawed PM. Exactly what we needed in the war, exactly NOT what we needed after the war. I second the Attlee trumpet. That guy laid the foundation for pretty much every good thing the UK has had going for it in the past 70 years.
JCDU@reddit
Oh yeah, Churchill had a lot of issues & baggage but he absolutely took no shit and got stuff done which is what was needed at the time. The fact they had to talk him out of coming along on D-Day says it all really.
sbaldrick33@reddit
The ones who actually rebuilt the damn country after the War did so well that every generation since as taken the achievement for granted.
freebiscuit2002@reddit
It's a vague question. You can visit anytime it's convenient for you.
But immigration, that's different. You cannot lawfully arrive in the UK and just stay. You need to get a visa first. Do your research to see whether you can qualify for a visa.
GonnaGetTheWonka@reddit
Nice Brazilian bar in Vauxhall good vibes
Warm_Secretary5027@reddit
Great place to visit. Come in the spring summer and visit London, do t bother going anywhere else . Rest of the country is just backwards and stuck in the 1970s.
Squeak_Stormborn@reddit
It's got a lot of benefits. It's very safe, in general, the quality of life is quite good, the scenery is beautiful in the countryside and at the coast, and there is so much history. The cities have loads going on, and the food prices seem to be a lot lower than many other countries.
The people are going downhill though. It's becoming more overtly racist, everyone seems to be getting more and more miserable and selfish - possibly due to wages stagnating, and the cost of living getting higher and higher. Rent and housing prices are extravagant, and space is at a premium.
I'm English, I've lived here my whole life, I appreciate the NHS more than anything else. The state of politics is disappointing at the moment.
skibbin@reddit
Headline news is not representative of lived experience, or it wouldn't be news.
The UK is fine to go visit, but if you're considering immigration you need to visit multiple places not just doing the tourist stuff in central London. I don't know what the immigration rules are for Brazilians.
SnooBooks1701@reddit
Brazilians need an ETA
ResponsibleBend2195@reddit
Grab yourself a Portuguese passport
ResponsibleBend2195@reddit
Large Brazilian community in Brighton.
General-Elephant4970@reddit
I might get downvoted for this but here is my advice. Note that I’m a South Asian immigrant man and I can pass for some Latin ethnicities . Have been confused with that very very often.
As a tourist, these issues might not reach you tbh. London and most big cities are excellent and welcoming. But if you are planning to immigrate then these are some frictions.
Hope you get to see this beautiful land and the beautiful people. ❤️
Comfortable_Ad_4267@reddit
Tourism wise it's okay. Worth the trip.but I'd leave it until May till September. Advice don't stay in London too much try South West England especially Dorset. Camping and using coaches is cheaper options rather than swallow all your money up on Train fares and Hotels.
England's always been fine we just have a small minority of people who live their lives online far too much and believe everything they read in the news.
Express-Motor8292@reddit
Alternatively, rather than just trying South West England, they could try some of the rest of the country? It’s not like it’s massive and it’s often cheaper to go North-South compared East-West.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Like everywhere else at the moment, really
shugavery96@reddit
I’m gonna be honest, the UK is shit right now. Everyone seems depressed, skint and there’s a lot of civil unrest between races and left and right wingers. A good percentage of people want the borders shut, and I’m not sure if you’d be treated entirely kindly if you emigrated here. But as a tourist, you’d be fine—British folk are usually friendly, they’ve just had enough.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
"had enough" classic sketchy Facebook phrase there 🤔
OP - millions of people visit every year with no problems. There's loads of Brazilians in London especially who seem to get on with everyone fine.
Come and see for yourself.
shugavery96@reddit
Listen, I’m trying to be candid because I don’t feel like it’d be fair for me to paint the UK as sunshine and rainbows right now. I don’t even use Facebook, I’m repeating what I’ve physically heard in person. Doesn’t mean I agree with it. I think the government and media likes to deflect its own shortcomings on minorities, and many people fall for it hence why there’s civil unrest in some parts of the country. Personally, I have 0 issues with immigration. I think it does more good than harm, and I think it’s a huma duty to help other human beings. I am literally being transparent because the last thing I’d want is to paint a false picture and have this poor soul come here and have a terrible experience. Different parts of the country are probably different. I live in a working class, low income part of the North West. London however? Probably entirely different experience. So OP, I’d suggest if you are going to emigrate here—do your research and figure out where would be most comfortable for you. I think Britain should welcome you with open arms, and I hope it does, just be selective about where you settle.
box_frenzy@reddit
“Had enough” of what?
shugavery96@reddit
Had enough of the government, politics, economy etc. And as the government wishes, this gets totally deflected on to other issues so it doesn’t fall on them.
Bulky_Judgment3283@reddit
Enough of them coming over here, taking our jobs, raping our women, eating it swans. Bloody Brazilians.
NickTann@reddit
This isn’t my experience at all and I disagree with everything this person has said.
shugavery96@reddit
Totally fair if you’ve had a different experience. Different areas could be entirely unalike. I just know what I said is somewhat true for where I’m from. There’s Union Jacks in almost every window. So my comment reflects my own experience, and I’d be remiss if I wasn’t honest. Can I ask, what part of the country you are in?
StickyPurpleSauce@reddit
Tourism is probably pretty good if you have a set of places you want to visit. Things are generally accessible and there are plenty of other people visiting — so you won’t stand out as a weirdo.
People generally only speak English. French and German are school languages but most people forget them very quickly — because most people abroad speak English. But we can understand very broken English — a lot more than a Chinese person can understand broken Chinese, for example
One thing to note about the UK is our weather. Even in June/July, we can have consecutive grey and rainy days. So if you like photos in perfect lighting or your emotional state is sensitive to the weather, then adjust your expectations. If I went to Brazil for some sort of festival and it was cloudy, I’d be pretty bummed. But that’s my thing. As an English person, reliable sun is a luxury I really look forward to when going abroad.
Most people will stay around Central London for visiting. But if you are thinking of immigration, I think this is a very different issue. Firstly, you are unlikely to live in London — and will need to explore the average towns/smaller cities. These don’t usually have the same character and accessibility. Not ‘bad’ - but the less effort is put into tourist/foreigner-friendly things
I would consider immigration a no-no at present. The government has been relatively happy and friendly to migrants for the past 20 years, but the public have lost tolerance and there is increasing support for the right wing anti-migrant party. This party (Reform) don’t only threaten incoming migrants in the future, but they have also proposed removing the settled status of people who already have permanent residence and have lived here for years with a full family/house.
On a daily basis, there isn’t really any strong anti-immigrant sentiment and people won’t be outwardly rude or problematic. But lots of the low and working class white people blame migrants for their problems.
GerFubDhuw@reddit
Book a hotel with a kitchen in the room. British food is good, great even. British restaurants are like playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded Kalashnikov.
Front_Scholar9757@reddit
Lol what!? Not sure where you're eating out, but we have some of the best food hygiene standards out there. You can even check the rating of restaurants and fast food places online.
I've never had food poisoning from a UK restaurant. Regularly have abroad though, so it's not like I've got a stomach of steel.
GerFubDhuw@reddit
Wow food hygiene that's the flavour I want in my mouth.
I can't remember how many times I've thought I better go to this restaurant. The food might be terrible and the prices might be outrageous but they sure do mop the floor well.
I've been all over the world. UK restaurants are over priced and under quality. There's a reason people think our food is bad and it's the abysmal quality of the UK dining experience.
And no I'm not talking about the hundred 3 star tyre manufacturers recommendations restaurants. I'm talking about the normal restaurants that normal people can go to.
Real-Historian-2793@reddit
I think this says more about your choice of restaurants that anything else.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
Bullshit.
Opposite-Writer9715@reddit
Google do some research then ask questions you have.
StonedOldChiller@reddit
Unless you're a doctor or engineer or have other skills that we're short of, the only way in through immigration is to marry someone from the UK.
As a tourist, with money to spare, you'll find the UK very welcoming.
There's a lot of anti immigrant feeling being expressed, and at the moment it looks like the next election will give us a far right and and strongly anti-immigrant government. If you do come you need to do it legally otherwise you could end up being completely banned from ever visiting the UK again.
Gerrydealsel@reddit
The anti-immigrant feeling is basically towards Muslims and Bommalians. Everyone likes Brazilians.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Farage is Britain's Bolsonaro
Weak_Worth_2735@reddit
Far right? lol, Tories in all but name.
1182990@reddit
Loads of Brazilians in Oxford. From my experience they're all friendly and lovely people!
Sure you'd be welcome wherever you come.
Low_Spread9760@reddit
The country isn’t in the best of times right now, but travelling around the UK is still enjoyable, safe, and practical.
There’s some anti-immigration sentiment on the far right, but this is mostly aimed at “Muslims,” not Brazilians (or any Latin Americans).
The UK is better to visit from March to October. The winters can be quite grim.
Main-Issue4366@reddit
As an english person I like england but don't come to live if you value your freedom. we have such bad digital restrictions since online safety even some news articles and information is blocked in the name of child safety. and digital id no one wants that its soo bad and we're all fighting it. but tourism i dont see why not! england has beautiful landscape and nice villages - in the north especially great horizons and kind people
Main-Issue4366@reddit
🤣 The - 18 is so funny because yall call me crazy now but just see after this parliament term is up
Ashgen2024@reddit
What a load of rubbish.
Name one digital restriction which affects your life adversely?
GerFubDhuw@reddit
I have to provide my full driver's license to a foreign data harvesting website to use Wikipedia. If I don't have identification, which is not mandatory to have, I do not have access to this and a thousand other websites including this one.
That's is without a doubt a negative.
JohnLennonsNotDead@reddit
Don’t talk absolute shit
Ashgen2024@reddit
No, you do not need to provide your driving licence details to access Wikipedia.
Access to the website is free and open to anyone, and the site's content is publicly available. You can browse and read articles without creating an account or providing any personal information, including your driving licence details.
Access is free: Wikipedia's text and many of its images are licensed to be freely used by the public, and there is no fee to view them.
No account is required: You can access all the information on Wikipedia without logging in or creating an account.
No personal details needed: Wikipedia does not ask for or require any personal information like your driving licence for you to use the site.
GerFubDhuw@reddit
Wikipedia doesn't ask for the ID the UK government demands it. Wikipedia fought the UK government to be an acception to the internet censorship laws.
LGBTQ kids can't even look up stuff about being LGBTQ because the prudes that be have decided that its 18+
Tom_FooIery@reddit
There’s nothing on Wikipedia asking for your driving licence.
GerFubDhuw@reddit
The clown has never heard of the Online Safety Act. Pathetic ignorance for someone living in the UK.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Pathetic ignorance is not knowing the actual situation. Read this and educate yourself (tldr - they are not blocking it in the uk)
Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations – Wikimedia Foundation https://share.google/93XsaMMyfIQu9QF2d
Tom_FooIery@reddit
I’ve heard of it, I’ve used the service to verify my age on Reddit. That doesn’t change the fact that Wikipedia does not ask for your driving licence.
GerFubDhuw@reddit
Again it's not Wikipedia asking.
Tom_FooIery@reddit
Ok, if we’re being pedantic, you can browse/search/use Wikipedia without having to give your Driving license. Neither Wikipedia, or the UK government makes you upload it. Plenty websites do have such a requirement, but Wikipedia isn’t one of them.
Unusual_residue@reddit
Driving licence
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Nonsense. Literally looking at Wikipedia now. No ID needed
For the rest get a reputable VPN.
It hardly affects tourists
YorkshireDrifter@reddit
Come in the summer and don't just stay on London or big cities
Platform_Dancer@reddit
There is a very high Brazilian immigration rate in the UK so I'm sure with a bit of research you can find a group chat thread or website where you could speak to other Brazilian UK residents and get a more realistic view than asking reddit Brits. ☺️
EatingCoooolo@reddit
It’s a good place to live, it’s a good place to travel from. It’s very safe. If you have a career that’s in demand or you’re willing to better yourself you’ll have it great. The one thing you’ll never get over is the lack of sun and you’ll be depressed especially after New Year’s it’s been happening to me for the past 18 years.
If you want to move here maybe do a some sort of sponsored job for a year or two and see how it is. Coming here on holiday and working and living here are two different experiences.
Fun_Cheesecake_7684@reddit
It's a fun place to visit - we live on trade and there's a big Brazilian community in Paddington - but consider Portugal if you want similar language for work. Immigration here depends on a few key things, but mostly:
If you're on a student visa, you need to have a confirmed place at either a uni or a TEFL college.
If you're working there are complex rules, but basically job first and at a certain salary level unless you are working in the health or education sectors.
Marry someone
There are a few others such as intracompany transfer but it's hard to get in to stay.
Effective_Quality@reddit
Better off going to North Korea.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Off you go then.
Dennyisthepisslord@reddit
Great place to visit.
Good place to live if you have a good job.
hardito-carlito2@reddit
Tensions are rising but if I'm honest it's middle aged white men angry at Arabs arriving on boats when they should be worried their government are incompetent bumbling plebs.... England is alright its the usual grey and wetness that makes Britain great 👍
qualityvote2@reddit
Hello u/the_Countess_Of_BR! Welcome to r/AskABrit!
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, upvote this comment!
Otherwise, downvote this comment!
And if it does break the rules, downvote this comment and report this post!