British tourists turn their back on America
Aug 3, 2007, 12:21 pm
#136
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
I would guess that these statistics are *not* compiled by inquiring of every hospital in Ireland as to whether or not they have admitted any Brits. My guess is that the statistics are compiled from reports the British embassy or consulate gets about their subjects being hospitalized. In most cases, Brits who are hospitalized in Ireland would have zero reason to report it to the consulate or embassy. The same would be true for the Netherlands (for which supposedly only 2 Britons were ever hospitalized during a one-year period, and which I find equally dubious).
Aug 3, 2007, 12:28 pm
#137
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 544
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...cle2182341.ece
There are as many British tourists to Ireland as there are to the US yet they are 6 times as likely to lose their passports, THIRTY times as likely to be arrested and 25 times as likely to end up in hospital
Even compared to Spain, per capita, they are 50% more likely to lose their passport and almost 3 times as likely to be arrested - though they are two-thirds less likely to end up in hospital.
There are as many British tourists to Ireland as there are to the US yet they are 6 times as likely to lose their passports, THIRTY times as likely to be arrested and 25 times as likely to end up in hospital
Even compared to Spain, per capita, they are 50% more likely to lose their passport and almost 3 times as likely to be arrested - though they are two-thirds less likely to end up in hospital.
It's reasonable to pop over to Dublin for a weekend from the UK, less so to pop across the pond for a weekend. I believe UK travelers stay considerably longer in the US, on average, than in Ireland.
Also, most visitors to the US (outside New York) hire cars; I'd be pretty surprised if automobile-related accidents aren't the leading cause of hospitalization (and drink-driving the leading cause of arrests) among UK visitors. Contrast with stag & hen weekenders who never leave the Temple Bar area and walk or taxi to their hotels (if they stay overnight at all).
Aug 6, 2007, 3:15 am
#138
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Doha, Qatar
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Really? Wow...in your world, who runs the legal system, miltary, building of society, interstate commerce, and any other multitude of duties required of a government? The weak and unfortunate? I did not know that the wealthy and powerful were currently hunting the weak and unfortunate (I take from your post that unfortunate is a relative term that means...receiving government checks or depending on the government to live). Seems like more of a case of social-economic envy more than anything else. Don't hate those that strive to get ahead and/or are financially sucessful...go to school and blaze your own trail! It is too easy for most to give up after a series of bad life choices and to sit around and blame those that made good choices. Why must the successful be punished for their success and be made to pay a penalty (higher taxes) to those that did not have the drive, motivation, or work ethic to pay their own way in society? Not the truly handicapped or those that were victims of unforeseen circumstances that they could not control, but the majority who depend on the government because it is easier. The same ones that dropped out of high school, won't work at McDonald's because it is degrading, the ones that seem to have perfect ovaries that produce children into poverty yearly, the ones with multiple addictions and committ crimes to support them. Why punish the wealthy to reward those that have effectively dropped out of life? This is not what the government was intended for. So back to the original post...in America, you have the right and ability to provide your child with health insurance, you just have to get up and do it, not whining and blowing snot bubbles at the government about how unfair your plight is. Life is not fair...some have to work harder than others.