Northerners / Southerners - Are we really any different?

[anti-pacer]

Are Northerners and Southerners really any different to each other, generally, culturally, financially, etc?

Also, do you think Northerners are honestly more of a friendlier bunch than those in the South?

 

[SS4]

One thing both Northerners and Southerners have in common is ignoring the Midlands :cry:

 

[anti-pacer]

One thing both Northerners and Southerners have in common is ignoring the Midlands :cry:

Where??!

 

[maniacmartin]

But the Midlands is part of the North as far as Southerners are concerned

 

[ainsworth74]

But the Midlands is part of the North as far as Southerners are concerned

And part of the South as far as Northerners are concerned

 

[Mojo]

But the Midlands is part of the North as far as Southerners are concerned

Yes, as far as I'm concerned Birmingham (and I did live there for a few years) is part of the North.

Also, do you think Northerners are honestly more of a friendlier bunch than those in the South?

I don't think you can generalise really; in my experience I tend to find places which I am not used to feel very unfriendly, so I would say that I find the North less friendly than the South. There seems to be an perception that London is a very rude city, but I find it friendly; certainly the majority of people I would say are 'rude' are not from London!

Similarly I don't feel as safe in northern towns and cities I visit, but there are also a huge number of towns in the South East that I also feel this way in.

 

[tractakid]

Northerners often tell it how it is, which can be alarming for southerners.

A northerner can sometimes sound bossy, but really they are requesting something or asking politely, it takes a little bit of prior information to understand the slight difference in operation.

Then us southerners can get on with northerners.

 

[Butts]

Are Northerners and Southerners really any different to each other, generally, culturally, financially, etc?

Also, do you think Northerners are honestly more of a friendlier bunch than those in the South?

Are you talking about England ?

In which case you are all "Southerners" to us up here

 

[CallySleeper]

And part of the South as far as Northerners are concerned

Geographically, I'm probably a Midlander. But I'm really a Northerner.

 

[anti-pacer]

I think Southerners have more "civic pride" shall we say!

 

[ainsworth74]

Geographically, I'm probably a Midlander. But I'm really a Northerner.

Nottingham? That's the Midlands in my mind, now if you were a bit up the road in Sheffield...

I think Southerners have more "civic pride" shall we say!

Not this again :roll:

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Why is the phrase "the Home Counties" used and what does it signify?

 

[anti-pacer]

Nottingham? That's the Midlands in my mind, now if you were a bit up the road in Sheffield...

Parts of Nottinghamshire are geographically more "Northern" than "Midlands".
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not this again :roll:

You disagree then, right?

 

[ainsworth74]

You disagree then, right?

Most certainly.

This isn't to suggest that the North is somehow the tidiest place in the world, it isn't, but I reject the suggestion that the South is 'cleaner' (which is what you're getting at with civic pride).

I've been on filthy trains in the South and I've been on filthy trains in the North. I've seen trashed streets in the South and I've seen them in the North. Both are as bad or good as the other.

 

[AndyLandy]

Why is the phrase "the Home Counties" used and what does it signify?

According to Wikipedia:

"The home counties are the counties of South East England and the East of England that encircle London, but do not include the capital city itself. No exact definition of the term exists and the composition of the home counties is sometimes a matter of debate."

Which about tallies with my understanding. It's the counties surrounding London, but there's no clear reason for the nomenclature.

As for the OP, I don't think there's all that much difference. I'm a Geordie by birth, living in Southampton, so I've got a pretty good cross-section of English living. I always felt Newcastle is a really friendly city, but Manchester doesn't exude the same vibes. Southampton's pretty indistinct in that regard, people just are, there's no sense of particularly nice or otherwise.

And London's just composed of everyone and everything.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It is said that Cheshire (particularly my own area of Cheshire East) was magically moved in the days of yore from its boundary with Hampshire and sprited northwards overnight to its current location to ensure that "the North" had its own patch of verdant green and good living.

I would say this, wouldn't I...

 

[Bushy]

According to Wikipedia:

"The home counties are the counties of South East England and the East of England that encircle London, but do not include the capital city itself. No exact definition of the term exists and the composition of the home counties is sometimes a matter of debate."

Which about tallies with my understanding. It's the counties surrounding London, but there's no clear reason for the nomenclature.

Isn't it where all us commuters go home to every evening

Regards

Bushy

 

[AndyLandy]

It is said that Cheshire (particularly my own area of Cheshire East) was magically moved in the days of yore from its boundary with Hampshire and sprited northwards overnight to its current location to ensure that "the North" had its own patch of verdant green and good living.

I would say this, wouldn't I...

My parents moved away from Newcastle when I was four years old, so I actually grew up in rural Cheshire (in the Delamere area) so I'd be inclined to agree with you about the county!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Isn't it where all us commuters go home to every evening

Regards

Bushy

I must have caught the wrong train when commuting home in days of yore, as either Wilmslow or Prestbury trains (on different lines) never took me home to those peripheral areas that I am informed form a protective girdle around the Corporation of London...hock:

 

[maniacmartin]

I disagree with Wikipedia's definition of Home Counties. By that definition, Essex is a Home County, which I would say it is not

 

[Yew]

If your beer is missing a head, you're in the south.

I don't think rude is the right word for londoners, they are just not very talkative as they are all packed together and have little personal space.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Are Northerners and Southerners really any different to each other, generally, culturally, financially, etc?

Also, do you think Northerners are honestly more of a friendlier bunch than those in the South?

There was once an interesting discussion on Radio 4 many years ago .. (do not ask for a link, as a refusal often offends) .. when a comment was made that certain members of the British population had genes that showed the different historical connections of the distant forefathers. Britain has had so many peoples coming to settle here from the Beaker people onwards to the end of the first millennium, such as Vikings, Jutes, Angles, Saxons, Frisians, just to name a few.

 

[fowler9]

It is said that Cheshire (particularly my own area of Cheshire East) was magically moved in the days of yore from its boundary with Hampshire and sprited northwards overnight to its current location to ensure that "the North" had its own patch of verdant green and good living.

I would say this, wouldn't I...

Ha ha. Certainly you may be right financially about Cheshire. Does it not have the most Millionaires outside of the south east? It is certainly a lovely place anyway.

As for northerners and southerners, it does my head in as a Scouser when people say "You all think you are funny". We don't, the media made it up. I think there may be some comedy in the face of adversity involved there and it does happen, and Liverpool is in some ways quite a run down area compared to some parts of the country.

I am just editing this slightly as I wanted to add, when I travel I am always proud to say I am from Liverpool and people know where it is as opposed to saying Frimley or Crawley and then giving up and saying near London.

The funniest lad I knew at Uni was from a wealthy area of Kent, he didn't even have to try, he just opened his mouth and something funny would come out. The least funny lad I know is from a rough area of Liverpool, he is constantly telling jokes but they are all rubbish. Ha ha. I was his best man though so can't slag him off.

Regarding friendliness, I find London a bit impersonal but its a massive global city, so is Hong Kong, Sydney, New York or any number of places. Its a bit harder to pop in to a pub and make friends but its much bigger than Liverpool, there are loads more people just passing through. That said one of my best mates moved there a few years back and has made loads of mates. He tends to stick around West Ealing and there is a dead nice little community there.

In short, there are an equal number of idiots everywhere, and I'm one of them. I would be grateful if London would share the jobs around a bit more though like some other countries do. I am always proud though to say I am from Liverpool and not Frimley or Guildford and then give up and say near London.

 

[Strat-tastic]

Midlands in the north; Midlands in the south. To my mind, the clue is in the name. MIDlands, neither north nor south, but in between. Sheesh :roll:

 

[AndyLandy]

Midlands in the north; Midlands in the south. To my mind, the clue is in the name. MIDlands, neither north nor south, but in between. Sheesh :roll:

And how are we supposed to have black & white "North/South Divide" conversations if people insist on carving out the Midlands as some kind of large grey area in the middle, eh?

Next you'll be saying that there are pockets of all kinds of different people all over the UK!

 

[maniacmartin]

In my family, the South starts at Watford Gap.

In popular culture, the Watford Gap is often considered to be a dividing line that separates the north and the south of Great Britain,[4] and during the 1960s and 1970s it was a popular stopping venue for bands such as Pink Floyd[5] and the Rolling Stones.[6] It has been noted that the Watford Gap Services are an example of banal names that have 'become part of this distinctively national mythology'.[7]
In the Yes Prime Minister episode 'the Grand Design' the government chief scientific advisor presses Jim Hacker on what the last resort, when he will press the nuclear button, is, eventually suggesting, sarcastically, that it might be when the Russians have reached "Watford Gap Service Station".[8]

 

[Strat-tastic]

And how are we supposed to have black & white "North/South Divide" conversations if people insist on carving out the Midlands as some kind of large grey area in the middle, eh?

Next you'll be saying that there are pockets of all kinds of different people all over the UK!

Now hang on one stereotyping moment! Don't go puttin' words in me mouth

 

[gordonthemoron]

and ofcourse the West Country & Wales are in the North, rather than the south

 

[Butts]

and ofcourse the West Country & Wales are in the North, rather than the south

Are they not in "The Yokels / Sheep Fornicators category"

If you live in Shetland then everyone including Mainland Scots are "Southerners" !!!

 

[gordonthemoron]

or Teuchters even