Moving to Britain - Englishmen speak out!

Norwegianwood · #1 05-23-2009, 06:01 AM

I just got admitted to the graduate school at University of Bath. So how should I prepare during the summer? So far I have indulged myself with dark ale and fried fish. The next step is to forget everything I ever learned about playing bass, so that I can join a britpop band over there. But any other advice would be welcome.

If anyone could tell me something about Bath and its surroundings, I´d be thankful as well. Quite frankly, I don´t know much about anything. I´ve learned that Bath is a fairly boring and beautiful small-town. But I see it´s located right next to Bristol. Are more things going on there?

God save the queen and rule the waves!

Happynoj · #2 05-23-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norwegianwood

I just got admitted to the graduate school at University of Bath. So how should I prepare during the summer? So far I have indulged myself with dark ale and fried fish. The next step is to forget everything I ever learned about playing bass, so that I can join a britpop band over there. But any other advice would be welcome.

If anyone could tell me something about Bath and its surroundings, I´d be thankful as well. Quite frankly, I don´t know much about anything. I´ve learned that Bath is a fairly boring and beautiful small-town. But I see its right next to Bristol. Are more things going on there?

God save the queen and rule the waves!

Start eating toast and marmalade. I can't tell you anything about Bath that wikipedia couldn't tell you so I won't be much help there. But toast and marmalade for sure.

Norwegianwood · #3 05-23-2009, 07:14 AM

I just had toast and marmelade! Guess I´m uncounsciously turning British already! Although it wasn´t the proper, truly unhealthy, british toast....

Illbay · #4 05-23-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

But toast and marmalade for sure.

And be sure to practice sailing ships upon the sea.

(Remember, it's "upon the sea," not "on").

rap138 · #5 05-23-2009, 07:31 AM

you have to do: random violence, setting cars on fire, drink stella, live on a diet of chips, demand for benefits you haven't earned, use a hoodie, bit more of selfrighteous indignation accompanied by more violent behaviour, a lot of bling, sit outside convinience stores doing nothing or just harassing costumers, smoke stolen or smuggled tobacco and you will be ready to be a young man fitting in Britain

Illbay · #6 05-23-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rap138

you have to do: random violence, setting cars on fire, drink stella, live on a diet of chips, demand for benefits you haven't earned, use a hoodie, bit more of selfrighteous indignation accompanied by more violent behaviour, a lot of bling, sit outside convinience stores doing nothing or just harassing costumers, smoke stolen or smuggled tobacco...

He said ENGLAND, not France.

marksmith85 · #7 05-23-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rap138

you have to do: random violence, setting cars on fire, drink stella, live on a diet of chips, demand for benefits you haven't earned, use a hoodie, bit more of selfrighteous indignation accompanied by more violent behaviour, a lot of bling, sit outside convinience stores doing nothing or just harassing costumers, smoke stolen or smuggled tobacco and you will be ready to be a young man fitting in Britain

Also, in America you need a green card to gain citizenship. In th UK we call them ASBO's.

dominic · #8 05-23-2009, 07:42 AM

Lots and lots of tea, it's all you need. Milk and two for preference.

Norwegianwood · #9 05-23-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rap138

you have to do: random violence, setting cars on fire, drink stella, live on a diet of chips, demand for benefits you haven't earned, use a hoodie, bit more of selfrighteous indignation accompanied by more violent behaviour, a lot of bling, sit outside convinience stores doing nothing or just harassing costumers, smoke stolen or smuggled tobacco and you will be ready to be a young man fitting in Britain

Well, except for the violent part it seems like I´m all set!

Norwegianwood · #10 05-23-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dominic

Lots and lots of tea, it's all you need. Milk and two for preference.

I´m worried about that. Milk and tea does not work well together in the same cup.

WickedPissah · #11 05-23-2009, 10:35 AM

Start watching soccer (football) if you don't already.

Stinsok · #12 05-23-2009, 10:41 AM

What if England played Norway in football? Who's side would you take in a Soccer Hooligan Riot?

BurritoBass · #13 05-23-2009, 10:41 AM

I went to Bath to do a degree in the early 90s - it was great! I went back and got married there at the end of the decade too. It's a very cosmopolitan city, lots of arty types and loads of great pubs. You are only a few miles away from Bristol which has most of the medium sized tours passing through.... that said the music scene in Bath was pretty good. There are a few passable music shops there and better ones in Bristol. Bath is a nice looking city, Bristol is more of a dump by comparison (although more vibrant). It might take you a while to get used to the west country accents though!

It's great and you'll have a good time

Norwegianwood · #14 05-23-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

What if England played Norway in football? Who's side would you take in a Soccer Hooligan Riot?

I´d run for my life!

But let me tell you, Norway beat England back in 1981, and if there´s any brits here who haven´t heard the legendary commentary yet they should do so immediately:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqZTP8-8wIs

BurritoBass: Thank you for the info! I´m hoping to find a good bass teacher (although I could go to london for that), and possibly a band. But obviously I´ll have to spend much time studying, the programme seems pretty intense.

I do worry about the accent, but hopefully I´ll get used to it. Maybe I´ll even eventually learn to practise it myself

Illbay · #15 05-23-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norwegianwood

I do worry about the accent, but hopefully I´ll get used to it. Maybe I´ll even eventually learn to practise it myself

I would think that keeping your AMERICAN accent is what'll get the chicks.

Fassa Albrecht · #16 05-23-2009, 04:01 PM

Brit here! There's not much you can do except Google stuff methinks, unless someone on here lives there.

Syeknom · #17 05-23-2009, 04:59 PM

I love Bristol dearly - the music culture here is superb, and it's a very art-rich city. Fantastic bands play all over the city almost every night of the week, and the local talent and independant labels are top notch.

Venues to check out:
The Cube Cinema (volunteer run cinema/gig venue/art space)
The Cooler
Fleece
The Croft
Bierkeller
Thekla
Fiddlers
Trinity Arts Centre

Colston Hall and the Carling Academy are our more mainstream venues - Colston Hall in particular is really great.

Check www.bristolticketshop.co.uk for all live music events on in the city

If you're more interested in cinema then I highly recommend both the Cube Cinema and the Watershed (also plenty of much more mainstream chain cinemas, but they're not my preference)

Another fantastic place to recommend is the Arnolfini down by the harbour. Great for art shows, music, films, performances, etc.

The west-country is famous for our ciders - get into them if you want the west-country experience. A floating bar in the harbour called the Apple is a top notch cider bar and a lovely place to spend an evening

I'm much less familiar with Bath, sadly, having never been. I hear it's very pretty and has good shops.

Happynoj · #18 05-23-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illbay

I would think that keeping your AMERICAN accent is what'll get the chicks.

He's Norwegian.

**HeavyDuty** · #19 05-23-2009, 05:54 PM

Bath is one of my favorite places in England. Except for all the chavs, of course...

Norwegianwood · #20 05-23-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

He's Norwegian.

Well, you´d be surprised to learn that Norway pretty much is the 51th state

So yeah, my accent is (wannabe, I suppose) American.

Syeknom: Thanks, I can´t wait to get over there to check out all those venues!