DerbyTup Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Hi! My name is Jennifer and, as the thread title indicates, I am a Yank from the Southern US. At present, I am working on the super-duper-ultra rough draft of (what I hope will be) a novel whose secondary protagonist is a Brit ex-pat living in my neck of the woods from (drumroll!), yes, Sheffield. So, I have lots of questions about the city -- it's history, geography, lifestyles, etc. My character is a chef/restaurateur who comes from a working-class background. So, I am curious about neighborhoods wherein the child of a working-class family would have grown up back in the 60's and 70's. Primarily because I am thinking he might have named his establishment it. So, if anyone can help me with this, it would be great. Tooling around on the web willy-nilly is either getting me too much information or not enough. Other than a "boots on the ground" approach, which isn't doable at the moment or in the foreseeable future, this is it. I think you'll find this challenging Jennifer and I wish you every success. But there's one thing going against you more than anything you could possibly realise. A massive culture gap. I worked for most of my life with American companies. They think that what goes in America goes everywhere else. They have no concept that European countries, despite being smaller than many American states, have a completely different identity and culture. Different history, different language, different outlook. I am not trying to be mean here, but I think before you can even begin to write something about an ex pat from Sheffield you need to understand the culture here first. It's one of "make do and mend". And having a gloomy outlook. Not valuing nice things that are expensive. And questioning the price of everything. Being very suspicious and dismissive of anything unfamiliar. That's a start for you I hope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjhord Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 I think you'll find this challenging Jennifer and I wish you every success. But there's one thing going against you more than anything you could possibly realise. A massive culture gap. I worked for most of my life with American companies. They think that what goes in America goes everywhere else. They have no concept that European countries, despite being smaller than many American states, have a completely different identity and culture. Different history, different language, different outlook. I am not trying to be mean here, but I think before you can even begin to write something about an ex pat from Sheffield you need to understand the culture here first. It's one of "make do and mend". And having a gloomy outlook. Not valuing nice things that are expensive. And questioning the price of everything. Being very suspicious and dismissive of anything unfamiliar. That's a start for you I hope? I appreciate the concern. But please, don't lump me with that lot. And by that lot, I mean my fellow Americans. I know that what goes on here doesn't go on everywhere else. And in some cases, especially lately, that's a very good thing. A VERY good thing. Personally, I come from a working class background myself. I have been working in some form or fashion since I was thirteen years old (my first job was delivering papers in my hometown's downtown business district -- first female to ever hold the job!). Even when I was attending a two-year program at a local trade school, I worked part-time at a home health care agency. I am 40 now and I still work. Both of my parents worked as well. Very blue collar, hardscrabble kind of life. So I understand that whole strong work ethic, thriftiness, just-because-it's-expensive-doesn't-mean-it's-worth-it thing. What I'm saying is, don't count me out yet. I soak up knowledge like a sponge. Otherwise I wouldn't be here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen 7 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hi how about someone working in a greasy veras mobile van and all theviolence they see from behind the counter as all the drunks turn out of the nightclubs and his ambition to escape all of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjhord Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Veras mobile van? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Hardie Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Veras mobile van? http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=472289 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjhord Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Thanks, Jim! That was an interesting read. Gotta love places like that. Your arteries might not, though, haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen 7 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 You mean you never went to a greasy veras mobile van i cant remember where it was but after a night of drinking there burgers tasted good bit like a kebab these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjhord Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Well, as I am American born and raised, no. But, I've also never been hung over. No joke. Kinda not a smart thing for me to do considering I am epileptic. Plus, I haaaaaate to puke and I deal with headaches enough as it is. But some I know who have found themselves in that position swear by mac n cheese, greasy burgers, and other stuff as perfect hangover cuisine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soft ayperth Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Working Class 60s and 70s? Attercliffe and Pitsmoor come to mind. Also, Parson Cross estate and Wybourn estate. Good luck with your book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjhord Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Working Class 60s and 70s? Attercliffe and Pitsmoor come to mind. Also, Parson Cross estate and Wybourn estate. Good luck with your book. Thanks. Gonna need it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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