http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/fat-poms...0131228475.html

Welcome to England: fat, obssessive and TV-addicteD

May 9, 2008 - 12:40PM

England, famous across the world as the country of Shakespeare, royalty, fair play and manners, is a nation of "overweight, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts", according to a new tourist guide.

The Rough Guide to England, which was written by four British travel writers, says that there is nowhere "so fascinating, beautiful and culturally diverse, yet as insular, self-important and irritating, as England".

The country has been scarred by the 2005 London bombings and the Iraq war, making it a "querulous, quarrelsome country" that could be in the grip of an identity crisis, it says.

English people may hold forth on politics, law and order and immigration, but also lap up "celebrity chit-chat".

"As a glance at the tabloid newspapers will confirm, England is a nation of overweight, binge-drinking reality TV addicts," it says.

Reserve is still a key national trait - attempting a conversation with a stranger "can be seen as tantamount to physical assault", the guide says - and a person's accent is the equivalent of a consumer brand.

Social inequality is rife, too, as "a tiny aristocracy, who in some cases trace their roots to the Norman Conquest of the eleventh century, still own most of the land" and there is an attack on creeping materialism.

The guide also rails against "identikit" provincial towns and "overpriced, under-funded public transport".

Foreign tourists are also warned that the English are "the most contradictory people imaginable".

"However long you spend in the country you'll never figure them out," it adds.

But the guide is not entirely negative, reserving a soft spot for the country's love of animals, generosity to charities, irony, its openness to refugees, thriving arts and culture and the soothing quality of BBC Radio 4.

I'm ashamed to say its true, but then again that's why I'm over here!

are you english the don?

I saw this movie last night, not far from the truth?

TheDon's an Aussie, or at least living there, as far as I know.

we're now in danger of being watered down due to the influx of...........

The title should be "You're welcome to England".

As regards the quality of the travel righters, I think there has been some pretty dubious ones of late. Clearly these ones are also suffering from an identity crisis of sorts. I suppose a bit of controversy helps sell.

Anyway, couldn't care less as I'm not English.

Sure that the Aussies will enjoy the article though.

Sure that the Aussies will enjoy the article though.

yeah, maybe they will like this one too!!!

This article is about as pointless as the op's, posted by someone not from australia about something that is endemic in most countries these days. Just don't see the point.

My guess is that the Don is American and has gotten sick of all the negative, stereotypical posts about Americans posted by Brits.

My guess is that the Don is American and has gotten sick of all the negative, stereotypical posts about Americans posted by Brits.

He's an Aussie, but I don't think it's just the Brits that have the franchise on stereotyping Americans.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

Obesity in Australia

Recent studies show that 47% of women and 63% of men are overweight or obese. Australians are at the point where it is almost more "normal" to have a weight problem than not.

Over the last decade as a nation we have continued to gain weight. If the current trend continues, it is estimated that by 2010, 70% of Australians will be above their healthy weight range.

Overweight and obesity in Australia

As noted above international comparisons on obesity can be problematic because data is not always directly comparable. However, recent data indicates that the prevalence of overweight adult Australians is similar to that in the US, Canada and the UK; prevalence of obesity is lower than the US, but similar to both the UK and Canada.

Usually, Aussies are pretty good humored about it, Many Brits are just plain nasty. Doesn't hurt to remind them that no one's perfect.

.........least of all the Americans.

A Brit.

Well, I will step out of this male "my nationality is better than your nationality" pissing contest.

But would like to add one parting comment: Fat people are everywhere. So are <deleted>. In fact, assholism crosses national boundaries. Something to bear in mind.

Well, I will step out of this male "my nationality is better than your nationality" pissing contest.

But would like to add one parting comment: Fat people are everywhere. So are <deleted>. In fact, assholism crosses national boundaries. Something to bear in mind.

As both yourself and Boo had a go at the Aussies in posts above, SBK, how was this a male pissing contest?

(If you're going to mention <deleted> (<deleted>?) one will pop up )

Cause women can't piss as high as men.

Nope, I was merely trying to point out that obesity is a problem all over the place and to start pointing the finger at the Brits is pointless when one owns country has similar such problems. Needless to say, my point was ignored and posters decided that its easier to look elsewhere.

And it was just a thought as I could easily see the thread heading into that "americans are this, british are that" direction. Assholism is something I see all the time, usually nationality has very little bearing on someone's good behavior or good manners. Or bad behavior and bad manners, for that matter.

I'm ashamed to say its true, but then again that's why I'm over here!

I left U.K. 1979, never looked back and yes as they say "the grass is always greener ..................."

Rice fields are so nice at this time of the year here in Thailand.

Kan Win

OC I think you will find I wasn't having ago at Aussies just at the point of someone, not from the UK & who doesn't live there, posting an article about British obesity & lazyness, my post, if you missed it, was a pisstake of that. It took me 3 seconds & google to find that article. It doesn't tell us anything that we dont' know already, people are getting fatter & less active but globally not just in the UK, although I have to say it was an eye opener that the Aussies are only actually second to the US in terms of obesity. That I never knew & find even more ironic in light of Thedons posts.

This is a dull discussion!

OC I think you will find I wasn't having ago at Aussies just at the point of someone, not from the UK & who doesn't live there, posting an article about British obesity & lazyness, my post, if you missed it, was a pisstake of that. It took me 3 seconds & google to find that article. It doesn't tell us anything that we dont' know already, people are getting fatter & less active but globally not just in the UK, although I have to say it was an eye opener that the Aussies are only actually second to the US in terms of obesity. That I never knew & find even more ironic in light of Thedons posts.

Not a problem Boo, I'm well aware of Australia's (and indeed much of the western world's) obesity problems. I wasn't getting involved in the "whos the fattest" arguement, just having a little dig at SBK for turning it into a gender thing.

And god know's I will never be jumping on Donz' side in any dispute.

I wasn't getting involved in the "whos the fattest" arguement....

I'm sorry - could someone clarify the rules of this thread please, is it that the nation with the fattest average population wins or looses?

obesity is a world wide problem, i personally struggle with my weight, although I have been winning the "battle of the bulge"(no pun intended), I still have a ways to go

This is a dull discussion!

I'll second that, Tiggs.

Im an aussie but im half British.

British people look up to Aussies. No surprise there I guess

trolling is frowned upon at thaivisa.

Im an aussie but im half British.

British people look up to Aussies. No surprise there I guess

I don't think your Queen looks up to you, and what do the Aussies do when they raise the flag? They're looking up at the Union Jack.

Jeez, come back WeekendWarrior!

Jeez, come back WeekendWarrior!

Be careful, I might just shoot you. Only after throwing a grenade at you though!

Im pretty sure he has both legs are you sure you want that much sport!?

Im pretty sure he has both legs are you sure you want that much sport!?

Ah, but he only has 2 wheels on his van!