The Welsh......

[Arti]

I apologise to all the many decent, normal Welsh people but.....

I've been to many places in North Wales over the past 30-odd years; great countryside, quaint towns and villages....but, although there are friendly North Welsh, there seems to be more unfriendly-without-reason types. There seems to be a prevalent chip on the shoulder towards the English; a bit like the short-statured chap, thrashing his fists about while the taller chap grips his head, keeping him at arms length.

Do any other ABers hold the same view?

[sherrardk]

I was brought up with it and most of the people around me hadn't been further than Bristol. Kind of burnt my bridges when I moved to England and married an English bloke!

[DJHawkes]

Yes they are more parochial in north wales, or chapel if you like, unlike the cosmopolitan south wales population, I lived in South Wales and they are mainly Italian really.

[Prudie]

Well I haven't been for a while but I've had many trips to N Wales in the past as my grandparents lived in Bangor and other family in Bethesda. I certainly agree it was like that then (based on us buying up their property for dirt cheap holiday homes I think) and I often felt unwelcome. It's the only time I've had kids in the street shout at me to go home (even though I'm half Welsh). Is it still like that now?

[sherrardk]

DJHawkes, whilst there are lots of Italians living in South Wales (who run amazing cake shops, cafes and chip shops) we are not mainly Italian.

[Answerprancer]

I think the Welsh have had a tough time keeping hold of their language and culture amidst the influx of English holidaymakers and ex-patriot home buyers. It's of little wonder then to me that they can seem a bit dour and unfriendly, so yes I have experienced this.
Personally whenever I go there I show a genuine interest in the language and culture and when I next go I'll make the effort to learn a few words and phrases. So far I only know "diolch", and how to pronounce Lllanfairpwyllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (that was from memory btw so not sure if I spelt it right).
I love Snowdonia.

[sherrardk]

To be fair, the people in North Wales don't really like the people from South Wales either (lived in Wrexham for four years).

[sunny-dave]

Regrettably true about North Wales.

Mind you the locals did make a group of Asian students I was working with very happy - the lads said it was a real improvement to be told to "Go Home You English Barstewards" rather than the usual racial epithets ...

[Dee Sa]

I have stopped holidaying in Wales even though I spent half my childhood with my gran who lived in Aberavon. I find as a tourist whenever I enter a shop where they are speaking to one another in English they immediately change to speaking in Welsh ?and ignore you for as long as they dare, so if they feel like that about the english why go ? I find it insulting.

[Arti]

I feel a tad comforted now :)

[horseshoes]

Oh dear. Now do I get involved in this thread about "THE WELSH" or not. Perhaps not, I'll get cross and I like to think I'm one of "the many decent, normal Welsh people".