Life in Britain: Junk food, boozing and celebs
Britain is a "fame-obsessed" nation with its inhabitants eating more junk food and ready meals than the rest of Europe put together, according to a new travel guide.It is "a telling indictment that more people (in Britain) vote in TV talent shows than for their country's leaders", said the Lonely Planet guide to Great Britain.
Britain also has the fastest-growing market in the world for internet porn, but the country is somewhere visitors from around the world could come and feel welcome and at ease.
The guide said Britons love news of famous people "even though their 'celebrity' status is based on little more than the ability to sing a jolly tune, look good in tight trousers or kick a ball in the right direction".
On the culinary front, the guide said: "Without doubt you can find great food in Britain. It's just that not all the Brits seem to like eating it."
Although some crime rates are dropping, "vandalism and nuisance behaviour caused by binge drinking remain serious problems".
The guide said that in the aftermath of the July 2005 London bombings "a general air of disillusion prevails'', with Britons seemingly "tired of politicians whatever their hue".
As in previous editions of the Great Britain guide, Lonely Planet praises the transformation of British cities, saying Birmingham, which was "once a drab, grimy urban basket case" has now "spectacularly reinvented itself as a vibrant, cultural hot spot".
Descriptions of other towns include:
London: Has a buzz unlike any other European city. It is fashion forward, ethnically diverse and artistically pioneering.
Cardiff: The epitome of cool and pulsing with creative energy.
Edinburgh: One of the most sophisticated cities in the world.
Bristol: Formerly a gritty, grimy ugly sister, but now astonishingly and dramatically changed.
Leeds: Struts across England's urban stage like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.
Manchester: A modern metropolis which could take over if London ever quit being the capital.
Newcastle Upon Tyne: Has a wild and crazy nightlife.
Coventry: Doomed by post-war planning to be a non-descript concrete centre apart from the striking new cathedral.
Bath: Attractive city but snooty bars and expensive hotels.
Glasgow: Alive and kicking and the best shopping area except London.
The guide's co-ordinating author David Else said: "Brits are just as likely to tuck into a chicken madras as a Sunday roast, or to check out the Notting Hill Carnival rather than Trooping the Colour.
"Everyone can find something which suits them. Another great thing about our country is that being exposed to different religions, festivals, music and food allows Brits to experience so many other cultures without even leaving the country.
"We need to revel in this diversity as this is the future of Britain."
AOL news
- Posted by ra99na on 23/05/2007.
- ra99na's site
Please sign in or join etribes to add comments.
