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Is this the island's most famous person?

Rumours, lies and truths

By Adam Uren

Spending time away from the Isle of Man at university has brought some of the island's myths and preconceptions to the attention of Birmingham-based student Adam Uren - but is there truth in some of them?

Having lived on the Isle of Man for the first 18 years of my life, I became used to the quirks that make the island different from much of the UK; the obsession with road racing, the unusual wildlife and the lack of decent nightlife.

However since I have lived in Birmingham I have heard of other 'quirks' the island has. Some are true, some not; some amusing, some downright insulting! Here's a list of some of the preconceptions that Brits have about the island.

1. We haven't yet discovered the wheel.

This insult was made by my flatmate in my first year at university. Needless to say we do have a transport system that includes wheel-based forms of conveyance. I mean, come on, would Jeremy Clarkson have a house on the island if we hadn't discovered the wheel? I think not.

2. It's part of the UK.

A more logical preconception - but the Isle of Man is not a part of the UK, it is a Crown Dependency.

Jeremy loves the Isle of Man!

3. It’s expensive.

Not particularly. High street prices are slightly dearer, petrol is more expensive, but food prices are no dearer than you would find in mainland supermarkets. Besides, the average wage is higher than in the UK!

4. Norman Wisdom is its only famous resident.

At university, should I say the words, 'this guy I know from home', someone always interjects with, 'who? Norman Wisdom?' Cue rolling in the aisles. Annoyingly, in the conventional notions of fame, this preconception is true.

5. We are all of the 'same family'.

Small area, population of 75.000, insults based on being inbred consistently arise and are completely unfounded - just ask my brother - my father’s sister’s son.

6. Horses are the main form of transport.

Whilst we do have the world's oldest horse tram service in the world, this is a heritage attraction as opposed as the quickest way to navigate Douglas promenade!

It doesn't always rain, honest

7. From the summit of Snaefell Mountain you can see Mann, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, heaven and Neptune.

Not sure about heaven or Neptune, unless you're chemically altered, but the other five kingdoms can be seen, only on a clear day though!

8. The weather is horrible.

OK, it is known to rain a lot in the winter, but the summer is generally pleasant and it is never exceedingly cold thanks to the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic.

9. It’s a tax haven.

Totally true. Residents are taxed just 10 per cent on their worldwide income for roughly the next £10,000 after the free pay threshold has been reached and 18 per cent on income thereafter. And, if you are married and your husband or wife does not work, you get double the free pay allowance!

10. The Isle of Man is the Isle of Wight.

Please do not make this mistake, the person who said this to me never said it again.

What preconceptions have you had to put straight?

last updated: 04/04/2008 at 15:10
created: 27/03/2006

Have Your Say

Hollin
While the Isle of Man may not be perfect, I love it all the same. There is no denying that it has soul. Give me the Isle of Man over England any day. And, like Jessica, I too love the rain!

jessica
Some people love flowers. I love the rain. My dream in life is to live in Scotland and have it rain everyday i am there.

Peter
With the financial crisis going on the investors will leave and the iom will be left with nothing but kipper and icecream shops for non existent holiday makers. The place is a dump, backwards people, VERY expensive, govt that is incompetent and a joke, as is every other service. Its dreary, boring, expensive to leave as travel companies fleece you at every turn. Poor customer service, a backwards mentality of locals, and absolutley nothing to do unless you want to spend your nights drunk on overpriced rubbish beer.Scenery is poor and overrated, much better in lake district/scottish highlands/devon/northern ireland.Lived in the dump that is the iom for 3 years, and ill never get that time back again, utterly wasted.

goody
I lived on the iom for 3 years and loved it. Wonderful people, great beer and nothing more beautiful on a clear day or even not-clear day. Was sad to leave (job disappeared). Long may it remain.

MrTheDowster
I like it here. You should try living in the industrial north east for a while were packs of dogs roam wild about the streets. there the only things keeping the Hoodies at bay.

REBSICLES
I finally get to leave this hole!!!I am leaving and will never return ....EVER!!!!I finally get to go back to the UK, to normality and a place with levelled ears....bye bye kippers!

midiandusk
Jobs full of incompetent people, income support for manxies when they live at home, (and yet they want the same when they move to the uk)B&Q overstocked with lightbulbs cos kippers dont like change.This island is nothing to anyone important, in fact most people dont know you exist cos there are more important places in the UK. Worst place ever....

midiandusk
The island is rubbish, the boats and planes are never on time if go at all, its expensive, there is nothing to do, they have a fake scouse accent, worst weather in the UK, they think they are a nation, (not-they hold brit passports) the roads are bad, the nhs is appalling, .Give me the UK anyday over this horrible,narrowminded island.

Kate
In response to Mr Schute & Brigham Clearly you feel you have no control over your lives. Do one if you don't like it or effect a change - there are plenty of opportunities here - instead of moaning you could be pro-active. Suggest you do go and live somewhere else, the experience might be good for you. Good luck in Iraq. . .

Brigham
Mr Schute really has hit the nail on the head, as inbreeding is rife, most of the residents are biased hypocrites and the majority of Douglas is a dump(not just Strand St), but when you travel the Isle- well the scenery is breathtaking though not as good as the Lake District. The entire population is on a par with most UK towns. The cost of living is cheap if you are a Manx resident and expensive if you are not. A single adult living with parents gets nearly £300 per fortnight claiming income support.

Kev
When you reach the summit of Snaefell you can see the seven kingdoms; Mann, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Heaven and Hell.That's what the inscription reads.I live here, I'm not unhappy here and would choose the IOM over the UK any day. I just wish that people would remember that we are an Island not a small UK town.

Archie Cregeen
I've never been able to understand why a person stays living in a place where they are so unhappy. Like the others say, feel free to return to the UK, Mr Schute - and I'm sure Iraq would welcome you with open arms. You only have one life - if you haven't found fulfilment here, then it's time to stop moaning and move on.

Radar
Mr Schute, may I suggest that you check out the following website: www.steam-packet.com - and then get on the next boat.

Christopher Stott
Perhaps Mr. Schute should avail himself of the many flights and boats off the Island and live somewhere else. No one is making him stay. The Isle of Man is the most beautiful place on Earth.

Philip Schute
Completely biased reporting. Just take a walk down Strand Street during the day and you'll see people with the same face (both male and female), the roads are like the Wild West and there is a serious lack of things to do. I've lived here 8 years having moved to the island when I was 16 so I can make these comments. The place is a joke yet if you criticize the locals go postal on you. Give me the UK any day, in fact give me Iraq over the Isle of Man.

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