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Original poster

To be fed up of the constant bashing of the UK?

107 replies

Drind · 28/12/2025 17:46

I am currently away for Christmas with extended family and family friends in a very nice part of southern Europe.

It is lovely here, but I’m thoroughly fed up with the endless comparison to the UK. We all come from a smallish town in the midlands and if we see something nice here it is immediately ‘yes that’s lovely. Not like the shit hole we live in’. We see a palace and it’s ’you wouldn't see that in our town centre, would you?’ Well clearly fucking not because we live in a old fishing town not in the middle of London.

Then we’ll go to a nice restaurant and it’s ’no point in opening a Michelin restaurant where we live, it’s too deprived’. Or walking back to the hotel it’s ’at home you’d be watching chavs vomiting in the streets, not like these lovely clean streets’.

It is so wearing. I defend the UK and I’m told they’re joking and not to take it so seriously but it is endless.

Various mentions of the ‘lower class’ people at home too. It is driving me mad. Why are people so obsessed with doing the UK down? I know it has got its problems, but it is not that different from other European countries which also have their prosperous and struggling areas.

Not sure it matters but these are left leaning people too, not people desperate to criticise the country as a way of voicing political criticism.

OP posts:
Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 21:52

JarvisIsland · 28/12/2025 21:37

I’m currently in a Northern European city similar to my large UK town, and I always do think how much more pleasant it is. Good public transport, excellent bike and walking infrastructure, very well provisioned underground parking keeping vast numbers of cars off city centre streets. Though then also there is part of me that does have to remind myself that I’m on holiday, and can do things at much more convenient times, and on my own schedule.

My town in the UK has loads of lovely sounding cafes to visit for example, but they are only open when I’m at work. No chance am I walking to a coffee shop or bakery every morning for fresh patisserie when having to then compete with the school run/rush hour shit fight to get off my own drive. On holiday I can mooch for a late breakfast at half 9. Doesn’t have quite the same attraction at 7am on insufficient sleep. I do wonder if living and working in Europe would maybe close the gap in terms of what is nice.

(No offence to anyone who lives in any of these places) It is very different to be in a well to do Cotswolds village than it is to be in the centre of Bradford, and whilst somewhere like Utrecht/Antwerp/Lille etc on holiday probably feels more like a Cotswolds village despite being more (on a scale/infrastructure requirement/amount of built up concrete level) like Bradford. Is it just pace of life?

It’s where you go too. If I was a holidaymaker who stayed in a certain part of my town I’d leave thinking it was a gorgeous place. But holidaymakers wouldn’t be sitting in traffic or visiting the run down high street etc. We go to the nicest, tourist parts of an area on our holidays.

OP posts:
JarvisIsland · 28/12/2025 21:37

I’m currently in a Northern European city similar to my large UK town, and I always do think how much more pleasant it is. Good public transport, excellent bike and walking infrastructure, very well provisioned underground parking keeping vast numbers of cars off city centre streets. Though then also there is part of me that does have to remind myself that I’m on holiday, and can do things at much more convenient times, and on my own schedule.

My town in the UK has loads of lovely sounding cafes to visit for example, but they are only open when I’m at work. No chance am I walking to a coffee shop or bakery every morning for fresh patisserie when having to then compete with the school run/rush hour shit fight to get off my own drive. On holiday I can mooch for a late breakfast at half 9. Doesn’t have quite the same attraction at 7am on insufficient sleep. I do wonder if living and working in Europe would maybe close the gap in terms of what is nice.

(No offence to anyone who lives in any of these places) It is very different to be in a well to do Cotswolds village than it is to be in the centre of Bradford, and whilst somewhere like Utrecht/Antwerp/Lille etc on holiday probably feels more like a Cotswolds village despite being more (on a scale/infrastructure requirement/amount of built up concrete level) like Bradford. Is it just pace of life?

Itsmetheflamingo · 28/12/2025 21:26

Drind · 28/12/2025 21:21

Yes! It is as if they think all other countries are Disney where there is no poverty or unemployment, political unrest and unpopular decisions, or bars catering for the lower end of the price scale (where they themselves drink whilst at home), or littering or fly-tipping. They really seem to think these things are purely found in Britain and all other countries are spotlessly clean and full of rich people and excellent healthcare etc.

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Yep I see TikTok’s form all over Europe- Ireland, Germany, France, Spain - all with the same whinging about being invaded by migrants etc

LupinLou · 28/12/2025 21:25

My husband is Danish. It's only from Brits that we get questions about why we live in the UK when Denmark is obviously so superior. Often from people who've done no more than visit copenhagen for a long weekend. There's bits we like about Denmark but it's not utopia, on balance we prefer the UK.

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 21:21

Itsmetheflamingo · 28/12/2025 21:12

I agree OP.

i also think most British people don’t realise how many other countries the exact same conversations and bashing is taking place in, based at themselves instead. It’s just a sign of the distress and disruption of our times, not specific to the uk at all.

Yes! It is as if they think all other countries are Disney where there is no poverty or unemployment, political unrest and unpopular decisions, or bars catering for the lower end of the price scale (where they themselves drink whilst at home), or littering or fly-tipping. They really seem to think these things are purely found in Britain and all other countries are spotlessly clean and full of rich people and excellent healthcare etc.

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 28/12/2025 21:16

Drind · 28/12/2025 19:17

40 years ago they’d have been whinging about the state of Britain exactly as they are now.

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Maybe. I do think the decline has been pretty precipitous over the past ten years, much more so than at any point in my lifetime. There’s still a lot to love about the UK and it will always be my home; but its so diminished.

But I agree with you that sneering at your own home country is self destructive and pointless.

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 21:15

dannyufcfan · 28/12/2025 21:02

If I was in the South of France, I would probably agree with them, tbh.

Although, no need to make the same point a million times.

But if you were in Monaco and usually lived in Middlesbrough would you lament how pathetic and shit home was because you’d never see the Grand Prix at the local leisure centre?

OP posts:
Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 21:12

Crikeyalmighty · 28/12/2025 21:00

@Drind what old fishing town is in the midlands?

I’m obviously not going to tell you where I live.

OP posts:
Itsmetheflamingo · 28/12/2025 21:12

I agree OP.

i also think most British people don’t realise how many other countries the exact same conversations and bashing is taking place in, based at themselves instead. It’s just a sign of the distress and disruption of our times, not specific to the uk at all.

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 21:11

Crikeyalmighty · 28/12/2025 20:59

@Overalls that’s what I was thinking and that’s why I think it’s more put up bullshit designed for the ‘hey the UK is amazing ‘ flag waving brigade - and yes it is in many ways , but I can’t honestly say I prefer it lifestyle wise to when we lived in Copenhagen - and I say this living somewhere pretty nice(Bath) I think the UK is really nice ‘in selected parts’ - it has some great scenery, pubs, culture, a lot of history, irony and humour /sarcasm and I can honestly say there wasn’t a single supermarket in Copenhagen that beat M&S or Waitrose , nor a chemist I preferred to a large branch of Boots. However that does not mean large parts of theUk are fairly depressing, run down and don’t have that much going for them apart from usually ‘cheapness’

🙄

Aren’t the flag waving brigade currently telling us that Britain is shit and on its knees and it’s all Keir Starmer/immigrants/refugees/socialism’s fault? Not a great deal of praise for the UK coming from Reform where I am.

The UK has some great things going for it and some areas for definite improvement.

But this thread is about how my relatives are irritating the life out of me by repeatedly saying that the UK and our hometown are absolutely shit because they don’t have the qualities of an expensive capital city whilst on holiday.

Of course they don’t. But why must it be endlessly repeated? Can people not enjoy a holiday without having to repeatedly and endless whinge on about how awful Britain and our town apparently are.

OP posts:
MrsZiggywinkle · 28/12/2025 21:10

Let it roll off your back. Nothing you say will make any difference.

I’d be limiting the time I spent with them going forward. It all sounds a bit tedious.

dannyufcfan · 28/12/2025 21:02

If I was in the South of France, I would probably agree with them, tbh.

Although, no need to make the same point a million times.

Crikeyalmighty · 28/12/2025 21:00

@Drind what old fishing town is in the midlands?

Crikeyalmighty · 28/12/2025 20:59

@Overalls that’s what I was thinking and that’s why I think it’s more put up bullshit designed for the ‘hey the UK is amazing ‘ flag waving brigade - and yes it is in many ways , but I can’t honestly say I prefer it lifestyle wise to when we lived in Copenhagen - and I say this living somewhere pretty nice(Bath) I think the UK is really nice ‘in selected parts’ - it has some great scenery, pubs, culture, a lot of history, irony and humour /sarcasm and I can honestly say there wasn’t a single supermarket in Copenhagen that beat M&S or Waitrose , nor a chemist I preferred to a large branch of Boots. However that does not mean large parts of theUk are fairly depressing, run down and don’t have that much going for them apart from usually ‘cheapness’

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 20:58

HostaCentral · 28/12/2025 20:52

Just follow some Americans on SM like "Kalani" and others. They love it here, and many have or are due to move here. They often note on how beautiful it is here, how safe, how we have lovely food, how the cost of living is cheap. Seeing the UK through a foreigners eyes is always refreshing, and highlights how much we have that is great, and we take for granted.

Italy, for example is great in so many ways. but it's also got some really deprived areas, issues with immigration, dirt and graffiti, high cost of living, poor wages, and high unemployment. Switzerland where OP is, is a country apart.

Edited

And even Switzerland has its areas of poverty and deprivation.

I think we could’ve been in any nice city of any country and they’d have acted the same way. It’s almost like they think it is superior to criticise Britain. It’s really weird. Almost like a snobbery but they actually live in the place they’re being snobby about.

OP posts:
Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 20:53

Overalls · 28/12/2025 20:47

Is there an old fishing town in the Midlands?
Is Switzerland in southern Europe?

Is there an old fishing town in the Midlands? Yes.

Is Switzerland in southern Europe? I was trying to be vague and change some details in case any of my family seen the thread, then thought fuck it.

Not sure why you’re trying to be a dick.

OP posts:
HostaCentral · 28/12/2025 20:52

Just follow some Americans on SM like "Kalani" and others. They love it here, and many have or are due to move here. They often note on how beautiful it is here, how safe, how we have lovely food, how the cost of living is cheap. Seeing the UK through a foreigners eyes is always refreshing, and highlights how much we have that is great, and we take for granted.

Italy, for example is great in so many ways. but it's also got some really deprived areas, issues with immigration, dirt and graffiti, high cost of living, poor wages, and high unemployment. Switzerland where OP is, is a country apart.

TheCooperettesShingaLing · 28/12/2025 20:49

Certain sections of the media push the broken Britain angle at every opportunity and it relentless.
Britain's social ills of which there are many are not new and have been with us for sometime.
The constant painting it blacker than black does not help and the UK still has it's good points.

Overalls · 28/12/2025 20:47

Is there an old fishing town in the Midlands?
Is Switzerland in southern Europe?

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 20:42

KimuraTan · 28/12/2025 20:12

Not irrelevant at all - unless you were hoping for an echo chamber to support your views. Sucks to be stuck I guess. Don’t ask on a public forum if you don’t get the answers you like 😆

My view that English towns aren’t going to be as nice as expensive Swiss cities? What on Earth are you talking about?

OP posts:
SweeetFannyAdams · 28/12/2025 20:17

NovemberMorn · 28/12/2025 18:53

Northern girl here too.
Just a comment to the OP...we are not all pedantic idiots like 821, and I agree there is too much UK bashing.

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I've reported them and I suggest everyone else does too.

MNHQ have said they'll delete posters who do this sort of shit to others, as it puts people off posting.

KimuraTan · 28/12/2025 20:12

Not irrelevant at all - unless you were hoping for an echo chamber to support your views. Sucks to be stuck I guess. Don’t ask on a public forum if you don’t get the answers you like 😆

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 19:53

KimuraTan · 28/12/2025 19:40

I do make a lot of sense, love. I live in Switzerland and the UK and have the best of both worlds - including dual passports.

Right. Well, er, that’s good then. Completely irrelevant mind. But thanks anyway.

OP posts:
KimuraTan · 28/12/2025 19:40

I do make a lot of sense, love. I live in Switzerland and the UK and have the best of both worlds - including dual passports.

Original poster
Drind · 28/12/2025 19:37

KimuraTan · 28/12/2025 19:31

Err, because by a lot of comparisons the UK isn’t a desirable place to live in. Overcrowded and unaffordable with people working to their bones yet nothing to show for it. The NHS is on its knees - why wait more than 4 weeks for a knee replacement and 6 week wait time for cancer surgery??! It’s a shithole where you can’t get anything done yet pay through the nose to live in it. Zero work life balance among other things. Loss of soft power in the wider world, career politicians who climb the greasy pole regardless of who voted them in, the government would rather see it’s citizens shot than „negotiating with terrorists“, yadayada..

Go fly you’re St. George‘s flag but don’t expect others to see England in the same light you do. The grass isn’t always greener but there’s not much than comes to mind albeit from next day delivery (on the back of the people who work to get items to you) that would set England apart in a good way.

Edited

Where would you rather live? You aren’t making a lot of sense.

OP posts:
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