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Original poster

My parents have become insufferable.

696 replies

PleasePleasePleaseDontProve · 15/09/2026 17:11

I am really struggling with my parents. Both are mid-sixties, retired. It seems since retirement they have become quite bigoted, insufferable and insular in their viewpoints. Every time I meet up with them conversations revolve around:

  • Illegal immigration / people on benefits / Reform and Nigel Farage. Essentially focussing around the latest GB news story (which they watch religiously).
  • Their latest or ongoing health ailments and how poor, in their view, the NHS is.
  • Unnecessary and rude descriptions to describe other people (could be random strangers) or people they know. For example, ‘our fat neighbour has put on tons of weight.’

I used to have a fantastic relationship with my parents, particularly my father, and I’m sure he wasn’t always like this. I’m starting to dislike meeting up with them as their attitudes seem to have changed towards life and people in general, and they constantly want to discuss the latest GB News story.

Has anybody else found this has happened to their parents?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
ExplodingSmittens · 15/09/2026 20:18

Have you posted about this before about a month ago? It reads almost exactly the same?

anyolddinosaur · 15/09/2026 20:17

Have only watched short clips of GB news if linked on here and cant stand Farage. But also cant stand young bigots who think everyone should share their views. As I get older I find I have less tolerance for those who are so sure of their own superiority. Yes OP does sound pretty insufferable.

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:17

Frugalgal · 15/09/2026 20:15

Good Lord! The Guardian is no such thing. How ridiculous.

Show quote history

Aw! You must read it. Bless. Good Lord!

likeafishneedsabike · 15/09/2026 20:16

PleasePleasePleaseDontProve · 15/09/2026 17:11

I am really struggling with my parents. Both are mid-sixties, retired. It seems since retirement they have become quite bigoted, insufferable and insular in their viewpoints. Every time I meet up with them conversations revolve around:

  • Illegal immigration / people on benefits / Reform and Nigel Farage. Essentially focussing around the latest GB news story (which they watch religiously).
  • Their latest or ongoing health ailments and how poor, in their view, the NHS is.
  • Unnecessary and rude descriptions to describe other people (could be random strangers) or people they know. For example, ‘our fat neighbour has put on tons of weight.’

I used to have a fantastic relationship with my parents, particularly my father, and I’m sure he wasn’t always like this. I’m starting to dislike meeting up with them as their attitudes seem to have changed towards life and people in general, and they constantly want to discuss the latest GB News story.

Has anybody else found this has happened to their parents?

We have this problem with my late 70s mother (among other problems). I started a thread earlier in the year and got good advice amongst some minority bat shittery.
I can’t even imagine how she has the energy to be so opinionated and critical of other people who mostly have little involvement in her life (and my dad is guilty of this strange vitriol to almost strangers too).
I think we have to regard these retired far righters as victims of radicalisation in the same way that teenage boys are sucked into the manosphere.
Terrible situation for you. I see mine only six times a year as a result of this bigotry and entitled behaviour.

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:16

Shoobadadoo · 15/09/2026 20:10

My in laws are in their mid 60s and exactly like you describe.

also complain about anything

“our recent wine trip was awful, too much wine and too rich food”

”the fish and chips are disgusting worst I’ve ever tasted” to perfectly good decent fish and chips.

Are you complaining?

Frugalgal · 15/09/2026 20:15

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:13

Sad isn't it. People don't seem to realise that the guardian these days is a loony left wing version of the daily mail. part of the problem. The self-righteousness is strong.

Show quote history

Good Lord! The Guardian is no such thing. How ridiculous.

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:15

Ribenaberry12 · 15/09/2026 20:14

Mine have gone the same way too and I have no idea what to do with them.

Just ignore them. Hopefully they'll ignore you too. Don't expect any inheritance, of course.

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:14

Contain4 · 15/09/2026 20:08

In what way does OP sound insufferable?

She sounds like an intelligent woman who is concerned about her parents whose personalities have radically changed and their once good relationship is now no longer there.

Her parents do not seem happy and any loving person would be extremely concerned.

Show quote history

I wonder what the parents think about their daughter.

Ribenaberry12 · 15/09/2026 20:14

Mine have gone the same way too and I have no idea what to do with them.

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:13

Fairyliz · 15/09/2026 19:57

You sound proud of this. Do you think it makes you somehow better than people who watch GB news?
It’s this sort of superior attitude which makes people become entrenched in the opposite view.
Why not raise a different topic with your parents op? Ask for their advice, memories of their childhood or things they would like to experience in the rest of their life.
They managed to raise you and if you are a decent person surely they can’t be that bad.

Show quote history

Sad isn't it. People don't seem to realise that the guardian these days is a loony left wing version of the daily mail. part of the problem. The self-righteousness is strong.

Shoobadadoo · 15/09/2026 20:10

My in laws are in their mid 60s and exactly like you describe.

also complain about anything

“our recent wine trip was awful, too much wine and too rich food”

”the fish and chips are disgusting worst I’ve ever tasted” to perfectly good decent fish and chips.

Poppy61 · 15/09/2026 20:10

65 and nothing like your parents, neither are any of my friends of the same age. Think some of it depends on your character and general outlook on life, despite whatever you may have lived through.

Hghardy · 15/09/2026 20:08

My dad is quite distant and doesn't share his view I remember as a child he was a shop steward for the union. Then we had a conversation a few years ago about how when he was young he was very left wing but as he's got older he's more conservative. His mother loved Margaret Thatcher caused lots of agro especially during the strikes. But ultimately he's never pushed his views on me.

Contain4 · 15/09/2026 20:08

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 19:59

OP: My parents have become insufferable.

Me: You sound insufferable tbh.

Show quote history

In what way does OP sound insufferable?

She sounds like an intelligent woman who is concerned about her parents whose personalities have radically changed and their once good relationship is now no longer there.

Her parents do not seem happy and any loving person would be extremely concerned.

Oldraver · 15/09/2026 20:08

Yep my folks are 80 and hold such racist views and slah all and sundry off. My very overweight Mum makes lots of nadty comments about people's size

Apparently GB news is the only station that tells the truth

strugglingwithlife · 15/09/2026 20:03

Pushmepullu · 15/09/2026 19:57

DH & I, both retired for 5+ years. We do not hold these views. We have a full social life, have hobbies and go out a lot. My brother has chosen to continue working at 70. His wife has only worked on an ad hoc basis. They have few friends and no interests. Every time I phone him there is a long monologue about something. It’s usually about ‘illegals’ and how much they admire Tommy Robinson, but it can be about anything. They are anti vaxers, anti government, the state of the NHS etc. Recently after a 25 minute rant, where he constantly referred to me as ‘mate’, I realise that I’ve lost the person I loved and knew. I will still phone him but will limit how long the conversation lasts.

They sound sensible

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 20:01

IrisPallida · 15/09/2026 19:54

Are the racists posting on this thread old? -I don't think they are. They are just not very intelligent, not very educated and easy to manipulate and want someone/something to blame rather than make an effort to understand politics or economics. That is all it takes.

Tell us - who are the 'racists on this thread'?

And why did you come to the conclusion they are racists?

CoventryCity · 15/09/2026 19:59

CookingForCats · 15/09/2026 19:51

Who does?

Show quote history

OP: My parents have become insufferable.

Me: You sound insufferable tbh.

YourGoldLurker · 15/09/2026 19:59

PleasePleasePleaseDontProve · 15/09/2026 17:11

I am really struggling with my parents. Both are mid-sixties, retired. It seems since retirement they have become quite bigoted, insufferable and insular in their viewpoints. Every time I meet up with them conversations revolve around:

  • Illegal immigration / people on benefits / Reform and Nigel Farage. Essentially focussing around the latest GB news story (which they watch religiously).
  • Their latest or ongoing health ailments and how poor, in their view, the NHS is.
  • Unnecessary and rude descriptions to describe other people (could be random strangers) or people they know. For example, ‘our fat neighbour has put on tons of weight.’

I used to have a fantastic relationship with my parents, particularly my father, and I’m sure he wasn’t always like this. I’m starting to dislike meeting up with them as their attitudes seem to have changed towards life and people in general, and they constantly want to discuss the latest GB News story.

Has anybody else found this has happened to their parents?

No. My mum is 77 and despises Reform and doesn't look down her nose on people on benefits.

Fairyliz · 15/09/2026 19:57

fishonabicycle · 15/09/2026 18:08

I'm 61, husband is 65. No danger of me watching GB news. Been a guardian reader since I was about 20!

You sound proud of this. Do you think it makes you somehow better than people who watch GB news?
It’s this sort of superior attitude which makes people become entrenched in the opposite view.
Why not raise a different topic with your parents op? Ask for their advice, memories of their childhood or things they would like to experience in the rest of their life.
They managed to raise you and if you are a decent person surely they can’t be that bad.

Pushmepullu · 15/09/2026 19:57

DH & I, both retired for 5+ years. We do not hold these views. We have a full social life, have hobbies and go out a lot. My brother has chosen to continue working at 70. His wife has only worked on an ad hoc basis. They have few friends and no interests. Every time I phone him there is a long monologue about something. It’s usually about ‘illegals’ and how much they admire Tommy Robinson, but it can be about anything. They are anti vaxers, anti government, the state of the NHS etc. Recently after a 25 minute rant, where he constantly referred to me as ‘mate’, I realise that I’ve lost the person I loved and knew. I will still phone him but will limit how long the conversation lasts.

oldmanandtheangel · 15/09/2026 19:57

Mine are exactly the same, or at least my mum is..but your parents are way too young for these attitudes ! (my mum is 80 and father is 88)
Trouble is now DF is in a care home, they both read the Daily Fail daily and get most of their views from there (the care home gets all the crappy papers in)

IrisPallida · 15/09/2026 19:54

Are the racists posting on this thread old? -I don't think they are. They are just not very intelligent, not very educated and easy to manipulate and want someone/something to blame rather than make an effort to understand politics or economics. That is all it takes.

Sewingbeedamned · 15/09/2026 19:53

AnswerIsNo · 15/09/2026 18:29

If they're watching GB News, they're getting regularly hypnotised by angry, polarised un-facts, stitched together with soundbites of truth

GB News is essentially having a LLM on audio, coded to present as an angry, right-wing coke head, that does its own search of the internet, unbidden and peppers you with a confusing mix of facts and lies, falsely linked together with hallucination in an aggressive, convincing way

At the same time, immigration is out of hand

The NHS, in many parts is self-serving monolith that descended further into shambles from 2010 onwards... gotta keep Canary Wharf happy, right?

Privatisation would just mean many people would be paying upfront for a shite offering and at much higher costs than taxation and NIC

The biggest issue with the UK isn't those 3 issues flagged by GPT,

Its the complete moral/social decay and dissolution of any social contract still in place after the 2008 crunch

And while genes do drive survival of the fittest, the last 5-10 years have taken "I'm alright Jack" to the next level

Brexit was the tipping point and lockdowns/post-Covid was the accelerator

Edited

I think this is spot on, but I dont think it is just the older generation - we are all more likely to be in a news bubble of things we select to listen to - left or right. We are much less exposed to fair and balanced journalism and debate than we used to be and there is lower tolerance all around.

Contain4 · 15/09/2026 19:52

Waytoohothot · 15/09/2026 19:49

Its called getting old if you are lucky and you dont die young it will happen to you ,

I know loads of people who grow old without becoming miserable and rude.