Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief

Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

And the bad news doesn't stop there. According to the latest edition of
the Rough Guide to England, it is a country of "overpriced,
under-funded public transport services", and "the hearts of many towns,
and increasingly their outskirts, consist of identikit retail zones".

The guide's authors say that accent and vocabulary "can stamp a
person's identity like a brand". Talking to strangers, in London
especially, "can be seen as tantamount to physical assault".

But the guide is not entirely critical, describing the English are as a
country of "animal-loving, tea-drinking, charity donors who thrive on
irony and Radio 4".

The country is also seen as a haven for refugees "where individuality
and creativity flourish", fuelling a "thriving pop culture and
producing one of the most dynamic fashion, music and arts scenes to be
found anywhere".

Richard Trillo, the director of communications for Rough Guides, said
the guide, due out next month, seeks to present a rounded view of the
country, with images selected from a variety of sources, not least the
tabloid newspapers.

But representatives of Enjoy England, the body charged with attracting
visitors, were critical of the book last night.

"Any guide book that suggests that talking to English people is
tantamount to assault is being both unhelpful and inaccurate," said
Elliott Frisby, for Enjoy England.

"Visitors who come here frequently comment on how, rather than
stand-offish, the English are extremely helpful and welcoming. Many
want to experience English culture and have contact with English people
in pubs for instance and many do without a problem."

Mr Frisby accepted that poor public transport was an issue but it had
not prevented London winning the 2012 Olympic Games. He added that the
English were not alone if some of them "overweight and
sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

England, and Britain generally, continue to attract growing numbers of
visitors, with some 30 million coming to Britain last year, a figure
that is expected to rise this year.

The guide suggests that the most exciting architectural and social
developments in England are taking place in its thriving regional
cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester. It
adds that the natural beauty of England's beaches can compare with the
Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

dear dear you've been reading too much, but we don't care about reading the
same stuff as you.

"eetinBelgië" a écrit dans le message de news:
...
Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

And the bad news doesn't stop there. According to the latest edition of
the Rough Guide to England, it is a country of "overpriced,
under-funded public transport services", and "the hearts of many towns,
and increasingly their outskirts, consist of identikit retail zones".

The guide's authors say that accent and vocabulary "can stamp a
person's identity like a brand". Talking to strangers, in London
especially, "can be seen as tantamount to physical assault".

But the guide is not entirely critical, describing the English are as a
country of "animal-loving, tea-drinking, charity donors who thrive on
irony and Radio 4".

The country is also seen as a haven for refugees "where individuality
and creativity flourish", fuelling a "thriving pop culture and
producing one of the most dynamic fashion, music and arts scenes to be
found anywhere".

Richard Trillo, the director of communications for Rough Guides, said
the guide, due out next month, seeks to present a rounded view of the
country, with images selected from a variety of sources, not least the
tabloid newspapers.

But representatives of Enjoy England, the body charged with attracting
visitors, were critical of the book last night.

"Any guide book that suggests that talking to English people is
tantamount to assault is being both unhelpful and inaccurate," said
Elliott Frisby, for Enjoy England.

"Visitors who come here frequently comment on how, rather than
stand-offish, the English are extremely helpful and welcoming. Many
want to experience English culture and have contact with English people
in pubs for instance and many do without a problem."

Mr Frisby accepted that poor public transport was an issue but it had
not prevented London winning the 2012 Olympic Games. He added that the
English were not alone if some of them "overweight and
sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

England, and Britain generally, continue to attract growing numbers of
visitors, with some 30 million coming to Britain last year, a figure
that is expected to rise this year.

The guide suggests that the most exciting architectural and social
developments in England are taking place in its thriving regional
cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester. It
adds that the natural beauty of England's beaches can compare with the
Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

eetinBelgië wrote:

Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

He's exaggerating, we're not all overweight!

On 24 Apr 2006 03:12:21 -0700, "eetinBelgië"
wrote:

Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".


But representatives of Enjoy England, the body charged with attracting
visitors, were critical of the book last night.

"Any guide book that suggests that talking to English people is
tantamount to assault is being both unhelpful and inaccurate," said
Elliott Frisby, for Enjoy England.

Yeah, well he can go and shove his head where the sun don't shine.


Keith, Bristol, UK

Email: usenet[dot]20[dot]keefy[at]spamgourmet[dot]com

This is a sp*mtrap, but I will get your mail!

Keith Anderson wrote:

On 24 Apr 2006 03:12:21 -0700, "eetinBelgië"
wrote:

Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".


But representatives of Enjoy England, the body charged with attracting
visitors, were critical of the book last night.

"Any guide book that suggests that talking to English people is
tantamount to assault is being both unhelpful and inaccurate," said
Elliott Frisby, for Enjoy England.

Yeah, well he can go and shove his head where the sun don't shine.

Sounds more like an amusing exaggeration. It's certainly the case that
in London, people can seem less friendly on the street than in other
parts of the UK, but I've never once found someone unfriendly when I've
asked a question (directions, etc.)- I might have got a brief "sorry
mate, don't know" when someone was in a rush, but that was the worst of
it. Where I live, asking for directions would practically be an
invitation to share your life story!

--
David Horne- http://www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
http://homepage.mac.com/davidhornecomposer http://soundjunction.org

"Mike O'Sullivan" wrote in message
...

He's exaggerating, we're not all overweight!

Speak for yourself.

David Horne, _the_ chancellor of the duchy of besses o' th' barn and
prestwich tesco 24h offy wrote:
Keith Anderson wrote:

On 24 Apr 2006 03:12:21 -0700, "eetinBelgië"
wrote:

Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".


But representatives of Enjoy England, the body charged with attracting
visitors, were critical of the book last night.

"Any guide book that suggests that talking to English people is
tantamount to assault is being both unhelpful and inaccurate," said
Elliott Frisby, for Enjoy England.

Yeah, well he can go and shove his head where the sun don't shine.

Sounds more like an amusing exaggeration. It's certainly the case that
in London, people can seem less friendly on the street than in other
parts of the UK, but I've never once found someone unfriendly when I've
asked a question (directions, etc.)- I might have got a brief "sorry
mate, don't know" when someone was in a rush, but that was the worst of
it. Where I live, asking for directions would practically be an
invitation to share your life story!


I always found 'Northeners' more talkative than 'Southerners'

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 16:58:44 +0200, "Runge"
wrote:

dear dear you've been reading too much, but we don't care about reading the
same stuff as you.

From the Runge Guide to the Toilets of Europe,
author of Poodle Poking in Paris.

Martin wrote:

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:39:20 +0100, Keith Anderson
wrote:

On 24 Apr 2006 03:12:21 -0700, "eetinBelgië"
wrote:

Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief
By Adrian Bridge
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".


But representatives of Enjoy England, the body charged with attracting
visitors, were critical of the book last night.

"Any guide book that suggests that talking to English people is
tantamount to assault is being both unhelpful and inaccurate," said
Elliott Frisby, for Enjoy England.

Yeah, well he can go and shove his head where the sun don't shine.

In Cathy's bathroom?


In gRunge's...

--
Best
Greg

Following up to Mike O'Sullivan

A new guide book paints an alarming picture of England as a nation of
"overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

He's exaggerating, we're not all overweight!

I'm only up for overwiegh and sex obsessed. Cant be bothered with
celebs or TV much, alcopops are for kids, like coca cola.
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap