So many angry people around

[RainCloud]

Has anyone else noticed this? I've seen arguments over parking, people arguing in shops, mumsnet threads turning into fights (more so than usual 😂). I generally keep myself to myself when I'm out and about and ignore most people but I've had people tutting and foot stamping behind me in queues. There just seem to be so many people getting angry at the moment.

Is is the heat? Finances / cost of living? Post covid lock down trauma?

I agree. There’s a nasty atmosphere around, I think it’s a combination of everything you mentioned.

I think it’s due to being so overcrowded. No one has enough space, so they get very territorial.

I’ve really noticed this, too. People seeming really impatient and angry much more regularly than I ever noticed before.

On my drive to work, there seem to be so many angry drivers cutting other drivers up, overtaking dangerously, shouting abuse out of windows. I’ve been taking the same route for years and it’s really become noticeable over the past year or so how much this has increased.

I’ve also (worryingly) noticed an increase in violence among young people. I work with them and it hasn’t been this bad in many years. I’m in London and the last time we had such a spate of youth violence was 2011, the year of the riots. It’s very worrying.

Like everyone seems on edge and that's infectious. I feel on edge when everyone else is on edge.

@GarlicBread4Life That's a good point about 2011, worrying.

I don't know what it is specifically, but it's definitely there, I've dealt with a lot more confrontational people recently than a few years ago (customer service role) and some are really quite aggressive and I've been personally and physically threatened a couple of times too.
Everywhere I go there's signs reminding people not to abuse, threaten or assault their staff - I mean why do we need to be reminded not to abuse other people? Shouldn't it be an expectation already?
I've noticed it in every day life too, and what I seem to see a lot of is people who demand that their wants/needs/preferences/opinions be taken in to consideration and respected regardless of effects on others, while completely refusing to do the same for other people. They demand tolerance but have none for other people and get angry when that tolerance isn't delivered or when they're expected to do the same.

Absolutely. I HATE driving now. Or shopping. Everyone is rude and angry it feels like. I think you can only counteract it by going out of your way to be polite, patient and considerate .

Oh goodness this was me on Monday.

I went to a big Tesco's to grab some bits and it was heaving. I stood in the basket queue and the checkout lady said to the woman in front ‘No more people after you’…

I called over and said ‘I’ve been here waiting behind her’…

She started ranting about how she’s been there since 7am…and hasn’t had a break….and she’s tired….and wants to go home etc.

I said I didn’t care, and that it wasn’t my fault she had shit employers. I dumped the basket and left.

I felt awful, so yesterday I popped back with an apology and a Kit Kat for her 🤣 She was extremely appreciative.

I was so hot and bothered and extremely overworked, most probably like her.

I think I see this too

We are very divided though, and this divisive culture has happened in a very very drip drip way.

Brexit vs No Brexit
Right vs Left
Woke vs Non Woke
Vaccinated vs Non Vaccinated

We are all put automatically into sides and left to fight it out - never looking for a middle ground, never giving people the benefit of the doubt. Covid, for me, accelerated this divisive culture massively - dobbing in neighbours became acceptable, willing unvaccinated people to die or not be part of society was suddenly acceptable. In essence we have created a culture where '2 sides' cannot communicate and are encouraged to literally fight it out on social media - no social etiquette required - just say what you think with no consequences.

I feel like it is just leaking out into real life

Covid, for me, accelerated this divisive culture massively - dobbing in neighbours became acceptable, willing unvaccinated people to die or not be part of society was suddenly acceptable.

This is a good point. Encouraged by the media, as well as social media.

Life is hard. Working hours are long. Having families is tricky. People rarely have enough money. Working environments are often toxic and competitive. Poverty is real. This gets to people and increases mental health issues.

I think that the feeling of powerlessness in every day life doesn't help.

Your vote does make bugger all difference. No political party wants to make the country better in any way shape or form.

Costs are going up but wages aren't. Homes are getting smaller and there are less options for cheap/free activities outside the home as everything seems to be closing.

Education is getting more and more expensive and the benefits of it seems to be less and less as so many highly qualified people still end up in poor paying jobs.

Childcare is harder to get hold of so parents are running on empty all the time and less people have free time to do any volunteering.

No wonder people are feeling frustrated and angry so much of the time.

I've definitely seen a lot more of it on here recently. To the extent that I took a few days break and am only coming on once a day now. AIBU has never been a love in 😂 but jeez some of the responses were just plain nasty.

I also think heat and tiredness are playing a part.

I moved to the west country from the south east 2 years ago and my stress levels have just gone right down. Compared to the south east where people are super rude, stressed to the max and quite frankly horrible - especially Brighton its so much better and more laid back here in the rural areas. I'd never go back to the south east.

@RainCloud agreed, it’s mainly online that I’ve noticed it though. I think it’s a combination of a sense of scarcity, a lack of fairness (people are really struggling yet the companies adding to the struggle are enjoying record profits) and very little optimism for the future. The UK has had a terrible run of events in the past few years, in particular I really don’t think Brexit is panning out well. That’s making people who voted for it and against it very angry.

People have been desocialised over Covid as well.

@Kpo58 has summed it up nicely.
Life is shit right now, especially compared to say 5 years ago.
Things were much better, even in very recent memory.
I am angry, all of the time.
I work hard but my money doesn't stretch far, little luxuries are a thing of the past.
I worry about my children's future constantly.
I have completely run out of patience 🤷‍♀️

what I seem to see a lot of is people who demand that their wants/needs/preferences/opinions be taken in to consideration and respected regardless of effects on others, while completely refusing to do the same for other people. They demand tolerance but have none for other people and get angry when that tolerance isn't delivered or when they're expected to do the same.

Yes, extreme self entitlement and then anger when they don't get what they want.

Well she should have put a sign up so you didn’t waste time standing in a queue behind her final customer. Takes two seconds to do. You sound nicer than me!

I think Brexit division is worse than ever. Like in Dover, Leavers in denial, and blaming the French. Remainers simmering with anger.

@Maverickess - I work in customer services, so completely understand what you are saying. But, I have also had to deal with our local council and our bank's customer services this week, and both have just about tipped me over the edge! It's like they send them on training for how to be as unhelpful as humanly possibly. And then the wretched script that they soullessly follow, which always ends with, "Is there anything else I can help you with today?" which infuriates the pedant inside me, because it makes it sound like they have helped, and are now eager to assist with an unrelated matter, when in reality, they have failed dismally to assist in the first matter! Notwithstanding, there is never any excuse for rudeness or abuse.

I think everywhere is so crowded and human life is not valued. Everyone shouting and jostling to be heard. We’re like battery chickens. We need fewer people in the world.

Made much worse I imagine by Twitter - I never go on there except by accident, and even a minute or two on Twitter sends my well-being plummeting and my fury rising. Everyone there so convinced that THEY are so important and right. I can’t imagine if helps anyone’s mental health.

And if you complain they say “I’m sorry you feel that way” which is think is the most deliberately mean-spirited and passive-aggressively inflammatory thing anyone can ever say.

what I seem to see a lot of is people who demand that their wants/needs/preferences/opinions be taken in to consideration and respected regardless of effects on others, while completely refusing to do the same for other people. They demand tolerance but have none for other people and get angry when that tolerance isn't delivered or when they're expected to do the same.

I totally agree with this and for me this has come via all the social justice movements and the demand for rights.

An unintended consequence of course, but very real. People have developed a sense of entitlement based on whatever group they have identified with. Their needs come above all other groups. So whether this be based on race, gender, sexuality (big one right now), class, whatever, people go into the world expecting that their group deserves more than any other group. Again, it's divisive, and encouraged by the media in every form.

I'm in customer service and couldn't agree more

Yes, so true.