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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you love the UK?

130 replies

Annabella92 · 29/11/2024 17:24

Or Britain? Or England, or Wales, or Scotland, or NI, or Spain, or the US, or Canada, or Ghana, or Greece or wherever you hail from. Do you love it? What do you love about it? AIBU to wonder if any of it is real?

OP posts:
Annabella92 · 30/11/2024 09:59

gamerchick · 30/11/2024 07:14

Journos aren't?

What do you mean by is it real? I'm imagining a matrix type scenario here.

By real I mean.. it's hard to explain so I thought I'd let people interpret it their way. But I suppose what I had in mind sort of is a bit Matrixy. I'm British, and have an idea of what that means in my head - that we collectively can be distinguished from other people from other nations based on particular mores and ideals and attitudes and quirks and other characteristics which kind of bind us, and would make an Italian (although welcome) feel slightly like a fish out of water, likewise if I was Italian, I would feel like I wasn't 'home' despite having a wonderful time. I think that might have been true once. Even between the various nations within the UK, and even between regions within these. But I'm not sure that's the case anymore. And if it is, or if I felt like it might be - that it's not real, it's just an echo of something that's no longer there. I'm not sure if that makes sense. I guess I wanted to know, if someone loves a nation they belong to - what is it they love that isn't just the same everywhere else?

OP posts:
taxguru · 30/11/2024 09:54

Auburngal · 30/11/2024 09:23

Another thing I hate about the UK - so many money laundering businesses. Many barbers, nail bars, mobile phone accessories shops, American candy shops - open for a few months, close down for 3 months. Spend 3 months doing up the unit. Open for a few months. Repeat.

Govt or councils don’t do anything to stop this as I bet very little goes into their coffers via rates, VAT etc

I agree, government have clearly instructed the authorities to turn a blind eye as it’s everywhere and so obvious. I can’t believe councils, HMRC and police genuinely don’t know it’s happening, so it must be sanctioned. Like the dodgy hand car washes. And the authorities ignoring open drug dealing in the streets. Same with the billions of tax evasion and benefit fraud in the black economy - no one in authority cares enough to try to reduce it. It’s turning the uk into a kind of lawless banana republic.

Newgirls · 30/11/2024 09:31

I love the arts here. The music. The architecture. The food diversity. University cities. The coastline. Some amazing people. There are things I don’t like (run down town centres, health inequality, the drinking culture, etc) but more good than bad.

Auburngal · 30/11/2024 09:23

Another thing I hate about the UK - so many money laundering businesses. Many barbers, nail bars, mobile phone accessories shops, American candy shops - open for a few months, close down for 3 months. Spend 3 months doing up the unit. Open for a few months. Repeat.

Govt or councils don’t do anything to stop this as I bet very little goes into their coffers via rates, VAT etc

SallyWD · 30/11/2024 08:22

iwishihadaname · 29/11/2024 18:01

Not anymore as so many people here think my family members are not British and should not be here.

I'm so sorry you feel like that. I'm sick of these growing attitudes.

taxguru · 30/11/2024 08:20

No, not any more. The uk is now too crowded and living in a run down region is not good. I have no desire to move to London and will instead be moving abroad. Son is also planning to move to Australia or Canada when he’s qualified as he doesn’t want to live here either, several of his graduate friends at the same firm are planning similar. Decades of decay and no sign of anyone who knows how to resolve the problems we face. It’s only going to get worse.

PerditaLaChien · 30/11/2024 08:16

but since the Brexit vote and Johnson it seems to have taken a path of being insular, backwards looking and arrogant. And more selfish as a society. And the unequal wealth distribution is so wrong.

This is a global problem happening in many countries. Many people who moved here 10/15 years ago and remember their home country nostalgically, may get a shock if they return now and find public services are not what they were and wealth distribution is increasingly unequal. Its not unique to britain

StrawberryDream24 · 30/11/2024 08:14

User14March · 29/11/2024 20:54

There are positives BUT a friend fell seriously ill
in USA yesterday, within 3 mins emergency services arrived & immediate hospital treatment followed with no wait.

But they all have to pay insurance - and then well off people, people with good jobs etc. end up with better insurance, and some people end up with no insurance at all.

"Meanwhile, in 2023 around 25 million Americans lacked health insurance coverage. Should uninsured individuals require health care, they are likely to face significant financial consequences and need to pay large medical bills out of pocket. Costs can quickly add up leaving them susceptible to medical debt"

Topic: Medical debt in the U.S.

Find the most relevant and recent facts about medical debt in the U.S.

https://www.statista.com/topics/8219/medical-debt-in-the-us/#dossierKeyfigures

Pickled21 · 30/11/2024 08:07

I love Manchester, it's where I was born and grew up.I love going back, I love the people and the vibe. I'm fully aware it has its problems like any other city. I live in a small town on Scotland now and I'm happy enough. My kids love it but I don't consider it belongs to me. Dh loves Scotland as do the kids, they consider themselves Scottish( we are British asian). When we visit Manchester they cheer when they see the welcome to Scotland sign on the way back home.What I do love about Scotland is that the people are friendly overall and the country is beautiful, coming from Manchester I'm not bothered by rain or cold weather. There are so many places up here that I am still yet to explore, it has a natural beauty that is unparalleled.

The UK gets a lot of stick but we have the NHS, free schooling, a stable government and rights for women. There is still a lot that makes it a special place to live, however the riots in the Summer made me fear for my family and I will be encouraging our kids into jobs where they can be employed anywhere so they can emigrate.

Bananamanlovesyou · 30/11/2024 08:02

The UK is a great place to live and I feel lucky to have been born here, Especially as a woman. We really take it for granted. Bless this little wind blown rain soaked rock!

FindingMeno · 30/11/2024 07:56

I love it because it's home and it's where I'm familiar and comfortable.
I don't know, but I suspect, that I would love a lot of other places if they were my home.

Auburngal · 30/11/2024 07:52

Love the UK for these reasons:
. History
. Geography
. A good size country to be able to travel about
. British TV

What I don't like about the UK:
. Soft on crime and immigration
. Ignorant people
. Welfare system. Nobody should be be paid more by govt, than what they could earn if they work a NMW job.
. Selfishness and rudeness increasing since covid. There is no need for it and there is no benefit from acting like this.

AnareticDegree · 30/11/2024 07:44

*their inhabitants

AnareticDegree · 30/11/2024 07:43

I love the British Isles and those of its inhabitants who also love them.

I don't love, like or respect the political construct that is the UK, or its broken and corrupt institutions.

kiterunning · 30/11/2024 07:43

I love the women of the UK

dottiehens · 30/11/2024 07:41

I do not love the U.K.. Life here is harder than in other civilised comparable countries like some of the ones you mentioned. I appreciate the beauty and architecture of some places unique to the U.K. Used to love London but it is now become another city with safety for women in decline and overpopulated. Perhaps the madness of having someone as incompetent as SK as Mayor. The consequences are very real and there to see.

messyphoenix · 30/11/2024 07:40

Yes!

I spent a considerable amount of time in Canada this year and coming back to the UK was like landing in heaven. Well ok that’s a stretch but there was immediate relief to be back in the UK.

The fact I don’t have to worry about carjacking and guns. Streets are so clean here. Healthcare is accessible (in comparison to Canada!)

And nobody asks me if I want cream in my tea here 😂

So yeah, feel safe and happy in 🇬🇧

Jazzicatz · 30/11/2024 07:37

Movingon2024 · 30/11/2024 07:30

No.

i still have respect and affection for Britain - mainly for all the things others have mentioned. It’s a good country that contributes a lot to the world.

but since the Brexit vote and Johnson it seems to have taken a path of being insular, backwards looking and arrogant. And more selfish as a society. And the unequal wealth distribution is so wrong.

we moved elsewhere. I so appreciate the visits back, but leavung was the right thing for us.

I completely agree with what you have said here. The UK has changed so much since Brexit and I just don’t recognise it anymore.

Monvelo · 30/11/2024 07:36

Meadowfinch · 30/11/2024 07:02

Yes.

I see deer and hares and kestrels on the school run. The leaf colours were stunning this year. My drive to work takes 12 minutes and there is very little traffic. I'm enjoy my job with good people.

My DS is happy and flourishing at a good school. I have a small circle of friends and we live in a comfortable house. I am financially secure

The last few years have been a struggle but right now, everything is going well.

If I'd answered the same question three years ago, I was coping with all sorts of hassle but my surroundings and the wildlife were what kept me calm. I've lived in Paris and Canada for short periods but always happy to come home.

Edited

This sounds amazing. I'm starting to get twitchy to move somewhere I'll see more wildlife. I'm in the centre of a market town and life means I don't get out into the countryside as much as I would like.

Monvelo · 30/11/2024 07:34

WASZPy · 29/11/2024 18:03

Yes, because I live in Dorset and I genuinely think it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. When the morning mist rolls across the fields, it makes my heart sing.

I now want to move to Dorset.

Movingon2024 · 30/11/2024 07:30

No.

i still have respect and affection for Britain - mainly for all the things others have mentioned. It’s a good country that contributes a lot to the world.

but since the Brexit vote and Johnson it seems to have taken a path of being insular, backwards looking and arrogant. And more selfish as a society. And the unequal wealth distribution is so wrong.

we moved elsewhere. I so appreciate the visits back, but leavung was the right thing for us.

PerditaLaChien · 30/11/2024 07:28

Yes

I love the mild weather with few extremes. The greenery, the culture. Our freedom. The NHS and how important we think it is to keep it free at point of use.

We have so much history & beautiful buildings. My children are safe here.

VestaTilley · 30/11/2024 07:17

Not after yesterday’s disgraceful vote I don’t.

ThomasPatrickKeatingsDegas · 30/11/2024 07:15

No, I come from a better run country with lovely weather. Here because of DH only. We are organising his visa to move there next year all going well, cannot wait to leave. When I arrived 11 years ago this country was okay, now the NHS, public transport, etc etc are all completely fucked thanks to 14 years of conservatives privatising and underfunding.

Thevelvelletes · 30/11/2024 07:14

Wbeezer · 29/11/2024 18:05

I think countries are like families, you can love them without thinking they are perfect. I'm Scottish and I love my country but there are definitely things about it I don't like!

Also in Scotland there are worse places to live obviously.The only thing that I don't like are the political fuck ups which are numerous.

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