Misconceptions About Cornwall and Cornish People

Let’s get things straight and start debunking some myths about Cornwall!

Sometimes when I’m away or speaking to people who aren’t from (or haven’t been to) Cornwall, I get asked questions, and some common misconceptions keep cropping up – so I thought I’d address them once and for all!

1. We all know how to surf

Okay so maybe people don’t actually think this, but usually the first thing out of peoples’ mouths is something along the lines of ‘Do you surf?’. The fact that no, I don’t, and I wouldn’t know how to, doesn’t bother me – for me it’s just that I want people to see that there’s wayyyyyy more to Cornwall than just good surf!

There are a million amazing things to do here, on or off the water, so I just want people to know the true variety of hobbies here.

2. There are no jobs here

It’s true that certain industries thrive here better than others, but that’s the same everywhere in the country. There’s an incredible startup/small business community here, but there are also larger companies and an impressive, growing technology sector too.

I don’t know the truth behind the concern that there are less jobs available here. I’m self-employed so not really aware of the job market right now, but with the right skills and experience I don’t see why it would be a problem.

With regards to pay – yes salaries are obviously a lot less than London, but so are our living expenses, so don’t freak about that ;)

3. We all live on farms or by the sea

The farm thing is kind of a joke… come on guys, only farmers live on farms. We are not all farmers. But the living by the sea thing is less of a joke.

Sadly it’s actually very difficult for Cornish locals to buy property and live by the beach or next to the sea, due to the demand for holiday properties (which are usually left empty for half the year…) pushing the price up.

It’s the same in any tourist destination, I’m sure.

4. There’s a lot of racism

It’s fairly well known that we don’t get a lot of diversity down here. In fact, I’d hazard a guess that it’s one of the least diverse place in the UK, which brings with it the potential for ‘racist’ attitudes.

Unfortunately yes, many of the older generation here do have lingering intolerant attitudes to immigration due to a lack of exposure to other cultures. And yes, Cornwall’s majority voted to leave the EU in 2016 (a shocking amount, considering all the funding we get from the EU to help the Cornish economy!).

But most people you will encounter here are extremely friendly and NOT racist in the slightest – I promise :)

5. The weather is better

Hmm… not sure who still thinks this, but I’m adding it anyway. Yes we get many lovely days in Spring, Summer, and throughout the year, but it rains a lot here, due to being on the coast.

It’s also (despite what many think) often colder in Cornwall than in the cities because of the coastal breeze. Cities turn to heat islands because of the concrete, while we get a lot of… wind.

6. We’re all play and no work

One of the most annoying misconceptions about Cornwall is that we work less hard. I suppose it doesn’t help with all the PR about how you can escape from the city to a relaxing life by the coast, and I know I write blog posts that make it seem like I’m gallivanting around the coast and countryside all day.

But in Cornwall it’s not about the stress of work vs. the calm of home. It’s not about working vs. having a life. It’s about creating all-round sense of wellbeing where work and life are both fulfilling. This doesn’t mean we work less hard, it means we know how to work effectively to make sure our whole lives are well balanced.

I don’t know if that makes sense to everyone, but it does to me.

7. Everyone knows everyone

Oh no wait that is actually pretty accurate. Yep, we all know each other ;)

 

Do you have any preconceptions of Cornwall & Cornish people?

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