Norwich

Norwich.

Miserable but focused.

Since living here I've definitely noticed the differences in daily life compared to other places. The way people aren't the friendliest to say the least. Initially I thought it was maybe myself. I think us brits tend to look inward traditionally, but seeing others (even the other natives) get the same miserable responses and lack of welcome receptions to which as a northerner I found I've taken for granted, I realised that this was merely their default setting. A misery not specifically reserved for me or anything I'd done but for the folk here the baseline level interaction, no malice intended. So the signs that someone from down here is sad or down?...3 years later I still couldn't tell you.

Now, generally speaking this talk to people on the bus or saying hi to strangers in public or getting scowled at for even thinking the above is a north/south thing. But here, it's like the south generally is...on steroids.

I will counter this negative finding with a very admirable positive to show I'm, albeit missing the north, in no way biased. A lot of people told me things about this place before I moved here. One of those things was how it is a little "backward" now, this may first seem the case but when you observe the benefits you can't help but feel that norwich, and norfolk as a whole, has done this intentionally. Looking at the early 20 somethings and even younger in good careers, appears massively higher than those ive seen anywhere else I've lived. The element, or omission of said element here, is the education at schooling and college level. Whereas throughout the uk we have seen the subjects given at these levels increase, here not so much. And here's where by being behind theyre ahead of the game. Why on earth do we have so many subjects? Especially ones with minimal career options at the end? Here, unlike my college experience where my eyes were darting around to all the different subjects, aside from the ones I studied, they have tunnel vision. More than any place I've ever been they know from a young age what they "want to do when they grow up" where ambition is lacking, enviable focus remains.

Horses for courses, thats 1-1 in the pro and con columns.

But the big issue is that they really really need a better railway and road system. It takes forever and a day to get to and from here and the bumpiness, if you travel by road, suggests the Romans never came through here. Whether this is something, if improved would jeopardise the focus of the locals is debatable. What they should do though to negate this possibility should their transport come into even the 20th century, is limit the curriculum and pass legislation to do so.

The misery issue however, I don't know. Even the football teams on the brink of promotion and morale is *still* rock bottom compared to most places.

Maybe add just one class to the syllabus. Forget gender studies, sociology and all the other filler, how about happiness classes? Presented on a big screen by lorraine kelly. Just an hour of her talking about everything that's "Grrrreeeat"

Either that or use one of the religious buildings here to bring in an american gospel choir.

Just a couple of suggestions from the B man. But either way, MY GOD, sort out the transport here!