People from other countries - they’re just better than us, aren’t they?

I totally agree with this. I've just come back from 5days in Prague - where ALL public transport for over 65s is free. People were so friendly, nice and polite. Most of them (so shaming) spoke excellent English. Streets spotless. Likewise public transport, which is vv frequent. Myriad cafes and restaurants to lounge, linger, eat in. Good prices, cheaper than UK. Better quality food.
In '21-22 I lived a year in Kõln. Better quality of life all round. Working class level of society having a much better standard than similar over here. Quality of food in supermarkets much more varied. Fresh fruit/veg better/fresher. Brexit has much to answer for.

I’m just in the process of applying for British passport, not because I feel British but because I started feeling insecure about my future here.

I feel that the only British people that complain about the uk are the ones who never lived in another country. And I agree there’s a sense of entitlement blaming someone else for their misfortune. I came here with 1 suitcase, now own my house, have professional qualifications and live a happy life. No help from family or government, always blamed myself for my mistakes not others. Didn’t expect anything from others. And it was all possible because I see England as a land of opportunities if you can be bothered.

There are better worker’s rights than anywhere else, better culture at work, more opportunities if you want to do a career. I always felt supported by my employers. People are nicer to each others, customer service is better in shops and you can pretty much sort most admin stuff online or over the phone. Amazing activities for children from very young age, I could go on!

one of big problems I see is the govs appalling attitude to schools and education. 30 children in the class? Send children not well supported (still better than in my country). Lack of resources. How can one of most powerful countries in the world have such poor standards in schools? Surely they must see the children as the future of the country? The more educated people the country has the fewer professionals they have to import. It really feels that the education is undervalued here.

oh the maternity leave pay is quite bad too in comparison.

Have travelled to many countries over the years and have had family living all over the world for work and also expats etc. Every country has it's problems- there is no Eden. It's great being on holiday but honestly, the UK is a pretty good place to live.

You don’t get the pavements covered in dog shit in most other countries

I love travel and love a city break but have not been anywhere as amazing as London. Walk from baker Street through Marylebone high Street, in to regent Street

Them Soho, covent garden, over the amazing view of Waterloo bridge and the south Bank past the Tate to London bridge. Incredible.

I love Paris and new York, neither are in the same league as London.

I could pick 3 or 4 other amazing walks too. Chelsea to Kensington, Hyde park, Piccadilly, Soho, Mayfair then up to Camden.

I really enjoyed Warsaw but it's much smaller not nearly as nice..

If you look closely in areas outside the "holiday bubble" you'll find they have similar problems with housing/wages/vandalism etc. Holidays are not real life. You go on holiday to escape the mundane and problems at home.

I think you need to have lived and worked another country for years before you can make an informed comment.

Not just go on holiday.

I agree the UK seems to be going a bit downhill at the moment. But you know a lot about the UK because you have lived and worked here.

As for being Entitled. Yes, there are some really entitled people here.
I lived in Jersey years ago and was surprised by the manners and behaviour of some of the French visitors on day trips.

Let's just say she posts a lot on Twitter or X or whatever it's called these days

Nope, massive amounts of bike theft in Denmark. Not even slightly rare I'm afraid. Same in Amsterdam - more bikes mean more bike thefts.

Given there are so many flippin bike lanes everywhere now, the Government should just give everyone a free bike and be done with it. That would cut down on theft and encourage bike use. They are expensive things to buy now. A brave bold initiative, what are the chances!

Retail training often means shadowing another member of staff for a day or 2 if they aren't off sick. And being left to flounder as constantly short staffed

I was in currys with my partner once, he asked a question about a tv and promptly told to look on website.Didnt buy it there

When we were in Denmark we noticed that people just left their bikes unlocked because theft is so rare. In England we not only have to chain our bikes up, we also have to chain the wheels to the frame - so sad.

Try getting a train in Italy or doing minor admin tasks in France

You could be describing my experience of China.
I could not describe them as better, just different.

Remember the holiday hot spots are kept clean and clear for tourists, go to the outskirts of the cities and it'll be very different. What I saw in the outskirts of Paris was worse than anything I've seen in the uk

No one is asking anyone to weep and wail in public. I agree that that kind of public grief can be over dramatic. I'm referring to friends of relatives of the deceased person not going to the funeral, or not being able to express condolences easily, why? What harm does it do and what has non attendance to do with being reserved? It smacks of a cop out to me actually. People don't know what to say so bail out of any interraction involving death and funerals! What is so hard about saying "I am so sorry, I hope you are alright, if there's anything you need from me, let me know" Might be a platitude but it's flipping something at a time of loss.

Some people get away with anything because they cite being reserved and stiff upper lip but in reality they are just terrified of expressing emotion, that's my take on it. And it comes across as cold.

It's nice to get out there and see different cultures. I've travelled over a large part of Europe these past few years and most people are polite and provide good service, but good manners when queuing or driving can be lacking compared to Brits.

I have to agree with the pp that Rome is fantastic, but you'd need to be as blind as a bat to not see the graffiti and litter. Driving in Italy you notice they lack courtesy and it's even worse in France. I'm driving to Northern Spain soon and dread part of the French route.

I've equally had some great trips to Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin and met lovely people and had great service. Preferred Northern Ireland and already planning to go back this September!

Compared to some Polish people for example I don't think we are that cold. However this is just an anti English thread who aren't as wonderful as Welsh, Irish or Scottish.

It seems a bit rude to criticise the behaviour of a group of people like this.

British, or it seems to be English, people are a bit reserved and "buttoned up" it doesn't mean that we do not feel as deeply as others. We just don't (typically) do much weeping and wailing in public, and a lot of us keep our feelings to ourselves.

In fact countries where this is the norm don't seem particularly genuine to me.

I agree, I think she’s pretty fabulous.

What did she become?

Well that wasent my experience when my mum died last year
I got lots of kind measages and some flowers off friends

I’m curious as to how people manage to blame bad customer service on capitalism?
I’ve spent a part of my life in a socialist country, where the attitudes of the workers in state-run shops were quite grotty. No competition, no need to impress customers.

My colleague lost her dad a few weeks ago. Most that knew about it passed on their condolences. I suppose some don't know what to say?

Well we aren't in Ireland. Although from what I have read on here not all Irish are warm and friendly either in certain areas.