What aspects of other countries would you like in your own country?

[MeiganMcSeinna6]

I would say
More table service

I think we should say where we are and what country we would like.

Uk but love the Greek clear sea and food

@bert3400

I wish the UK would adopt the Mediterranean ethos of families welcome anywhere anytime. The evening are for everyone, not just pissed up 'Yoofs'. Families walking and strolling late in the evening is such a wonderful environment to be in.

Its like that in Asia too, you can go out late at night, and there are families strolling up and down, buying street food, the atmosphere is so friendly. You never feel worried about any danger, night time is as safe as the day.

Sunshine!

All those of you who want the free childcare of Scandinavian countries - do you want the higher taxes to go with it?

Well , having spent the past ten days or so watching back to back Montelbano episodes, a lot.
Much better food. Fresh veg and great fish. Veg that tastes of something. In France and Greece in particular, food just tastes completely different.

Wine. Why does even a bottle of plonk abroad taste so much better than wine here? It’s a mystery. It’s not just being in holiday, wine here is genuinely crap . From supermarkets anyway. You can get a bottle of wine for half the price abroad and it tastes so much better!

Better chemists. Chemists abroad are far better stocked and it’s all more reasonably priced. Lots of interesting lotions and potions, many of them organic or homeopathic.

People in Italy in particular are so much more expressive, emotional and family orientated. This goes for all Mediterranean countries but particularly Italy. Men are desperate to not appear emotional in this country. I wish we were more expressive generally. In Mediterranean countries, family life is celebrated and elderly people are venerated. Not here.

Better clothes and hair . In other countries people dress better. Better quality clothes, cut beautifully. Great haircuts . Obviously more in cities and smart towns, but Mediterranean countries have a much better sense of style.

History and culture. We obviously have a lot of history and culture, but countries abroad often have more beautiful buildings, better art, wonderful opera and music. What has this country produced? Brittan and Elgar. Ugh. Shakespeare and Chaucer make up for it though. We have got some great writers in this country.

Better transport and cleanliness. Thinking of Germany and Switzerland here.

In fact there really isn’t much I appreciate about this country. Our pubs perhaps.
That’s about it. I don’t know why I am living here really. We do treat animals a lot better than many other countries, and obviously there’s the health service. Although it’s on its knees.

Siesta

Always the tax argument 🙄so boring. I have lived in other non Scandi countries that have similar tax rates to UK and childcare is still subsided and/or free. It just depends on where govs prioritise their spending. You really think the Uk couldn’t afford it?
It always mothers (yes mostly mothers) to stay in low paid jobs, have access to paid employment, have a pension pot. It gives children from all backgrounds access to crucial early childhood stimulation and learning including children from families who speak another language at home. It also gives all children access to healthy food. IMO societal benefits are huge for everyone and that’s why government’s subsidies early childcare.

Childcare workers are well educated often nursery workers need to have degrees (my cousin has a BA which is needed to work in a nursery in her country) and get paid well. It’s a well respected job as it should be.

It *allows mothers (and other parents/caregivers)

Final point on taxes: generally I don’t see what’s so bad about higher taxes, if the country works well. I lived in another European country with high taxes, didn’t need childcare at the time but had access to:
Very cheap public transport including train network - trains and busses were clean, safe, on time.
Long term rental agreement in a capital city - lovely flat with good building works (all state regulated).
Access to paid sick leave, paid overtime.
Good and free public healthcare system (the NHS is not the best system in the world, no matter what Brits tend to believe)

I was in a medium paid job but managed to save lots as I had a rent controlled apartment, cheap transport and paid overtime. On paper I earned more in London but a lot of my salary went on rent (cheap rooms in flatshares!).

And didn’t bother me that my taxes helped pay for childcare too. The city had huge influx of refugees and immigrants and their children learned the language in free nurseries before going to school.

Bottle deposits and better recycling
Cycle lanes

Also the German attitude of 'it isn't broken, you don't need a new one's. Cars especially seemed to be kept a lot longer.

@AdriannaP

Always the tax argument 🙄so boring. I have lived in other non Scandi countries that have similar tax rates to UK and childcare is still subsided and/or free. It just depends on where govs prioritise their spending. You really think the Uk couldn’t afford it? It always mothers (yes mostly mothers) to stay in low paid jobs, have access to paid employment, have a pension pot. It gives children from all backgrounds access to crucial early childhood stimulation and learning including children from families who speak another language at home. It also gives all children access to healthy food. IMO societal benefits are huge for everyone and that’s why government’s subsidies early childcare.

Childcare workers are well educated often nursery workers need to have degrees (my cousin has a BA which is needed to work in a nursery in her country) and get paid well. It’s a well respected job as it should be.

Yes, so true . In Germany carers are not poorly trained and poorly paid. They have to be properly qualified. Agree about childcare workers.

@memberofthewedding

I spent a year working in the USA. One thing I have always admired about Americans is their unashamed patriotism and pride in their country. In the small towns you see the flag on many houses and people stand at football games for the national anthem. Americans also value their troops and their veterans.

In the UK you dare not fly a flag because its might upset some minorities. British people shuffle out awkwardly rather than stand for the anthem.

You are not allowed to express pride in being British because you might upset the woke/snowflake brigade.

Did you get lost on your way to the Daily Mail? “Minorities” are not offended by a flag 🙄

I would like German bread and pastries in the UK.

And Dutch cycle infrastructure

With the wine tasting better abroad is it because they keep the best wines for themselves? I agree, I drink wine in Italy and it tastes great. Drink the "same" wine in the UK, and it's like vinegar.

I'd love Scotland's free unis, prescriptions and care for the elderly. Just like England a few decades ago. Never understood why Scotland feels oppressed by English government when it has successfully won far better conditions for its people than England has.

@memberofthewedding

I spent a year working in the USA. One thing I have always admired about Americans is their unashamed patriotism and pride in their country. In the small towns you see the flag on many houses and people stand at football games for the national anthem. Americans also value their troops and their veterans.

In the UK you dare not fly a flag because its might upset some minorities. British people shuffle out awkwardly rather than stand for the anthem.

You are not allowed to express pride in being British because you might upset the woke/snowflake brigade.

God, I would hate it if we became like that!

When I read threads on here about inconsiderate neighbours - blaring music, all night parties etc I think perhaps the right to bear arms isn't all bad - I'm pretty sure the thought that someone has a gun means noone risks being the annoying neighbour, no abusive drivers, few break ins etc etc etc

@memberofthewedding

I spent a year working in the USA. One thing I have always admired about Americans is their unashamed patriotism and pride in their country. In the small towns you see the flag on many houses and people stand at football games for the national anthem. Americans also value their troops and their veterans.

In the UK you dare not fly a flag because its might upset some minorities. British people shuffle out awkwardly rather than stand for the anthem.

You are not allowed to express pride in being British because you might upset the woke/snowflake brigade.

I wouldn’t have thought a Carson McCullers fan would be such a bigot.

@HollyGrail

When I read threads on here about inconsiderate neighbours - blaring music, all night parties etc I think perhaps the right to bear arms isn't all bad - I'm pretty sure the thought that someone has a gun means noone risks being the annoying neighbour, no abusive drivers, few break ins etc etc etc

In Germany there are laws about quiet hours and noise. Seems a bit draconian, but you know the music will stop at 10pm. And no one will cut their lawn at 6am on a Sunday...

Better cycling provision. I’ve been so impressed by both the Netherlands and Denmark. Not only is it great for cyclists but it makes cities much more pleasant for everyone with cleaner air and less noise.

I'm from Spain and live in France.

France would benefit from having foot pedals to open public bins without touching them, and also people respecting their neighbours, both of which are standard in Spain.

Affordable house prices so people aren't stuck in a never ending cycle of renting crappy houses or slinging themselves to afford something half way decent.

Being allowed to be proud to be British!

Not being judged for wanting more than 2 kids!

Jobs that allow one parent to stay gone and actually raise their kids!

Get rid of the 'drunk' culture that comes out in towns every single night!

Acceptance of everyone, but being able to disagree with each other respectfully.

Houses that fit the year we live in! Get rid of these god awful terrace houses and build houses with gardens and space!

And harsher punishment in prison and sentences! There's no deterrent in England! Prison is too comfortable and they get out early for 'good behaviour!'

Going for Paseo like they do in Spain. I like the idea of going for a walk in the evening when it's getting dark. In some places in Britain it wouldn't feel safe to do so.