Fun... if you like that sort of thing (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Member Name: Krebs

Product:	Newcastle upon Tyne
Date:	15/04/01 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A unique city; hard to find these days. Looks mostly nice.

Disadvantages: The agressive, masculine posturing of the locals

I have lived in Newcastle for a year now, having previously resided in a handful of cities across the world. My opinion of Newcastle is thus that of a 23 year-old newcomer and not a native. Newcastle has great PR. Before I came here everyone was telling me that they've heard what a great city it is, how friendly the people are, how fantastic the nightlife is. It would be fair to say I was expecting a lot. In someways, the city delivers; in others, it disappoints.

1. Perhaps of most interest to young adults would be the NIGHT LIFE. Put simply, it doesn't float my boat, although I must admit that is does seem very popular with many other people. For me, the atmosphere can be too agressive at times. Around the town centre and down to the quayside on any night of the week you will find revellers at all hours of the night. Of course, this means it is a lively scene. I, however, find packs of five to ten men wandering around in a drunken haze to be intimidating. On numerous occasions have I seen acts of violence, always fuelled by alcohol. If you want to find the real sterotypical English hooligan you will find him in Newcastle. In fairness, there are many pubs in the city where one does not feel threatened to any extent, probably because the ubiquitous loud techno music has numbed peoples brains into a more balanced state of mind. Also, I have never got into any trouble myself. Maybe the point is that if you want a fight then you could certainly find one; otherwise you will probably be ok.
The dress code of the local people is pretty dire, to say the least. Men will ALWAYS be seen on the town in a pair of shiny black shoes with a silver buckle, a pair of non-descript black trousers and a blue (occasionally a pastel variation)short-sleeved shirt (usually Ben Sherman). Women opt for a tight, white gravity-defying (or sometimes not...) dress. Men never wear jackets, which is presumably a statement of their masculinity. Students considering the city
should note that attempts to go out dressed in a way which deviates from this code in certain areas will frequently result in ridicule, abuse or more rarely violence.

2. THE PEOPLE of Newcastle have a pride in their city which I have only seen matched by the Glaswegians. Walking the streets you have a real sense of being privy to a distinct culture. It is this which i feel sets Newcastle apart from the other northern English towns. As discussed above however, the darker side of this coin becomes apparent as the alcohol begins to flow. The people are Geordies, they never let you forget this. God forbid anyone would think they are Southern folk. To me this protestation carries an element of insecurity- similar perhaps to Scottish nationalism- and perhaps the need to be defined as different. But they most definetly have character.

3. THE CITY is nice to look at. There are many old buildings to be seen; even the run-down industrial sites from the ship-building era have an historical charm. In particular the main shopping area is pristine, with the horrific Eldon Square mall largely hidden from view. The bridge is, of course, wonderful. The central campus of the university also merits a mention; you won't find another like it in the country.

Summary: