What do you like about the UK?

[Killerkweef]

I am British bit have lived abroad for 15 years.

I miss the British sense of humour. When I make jokes in my country of residence people look at me like I have two heads.

I miss the choice in the supermarkets. Different flavours of the same product, different products at Easter/ Christmas and not just exactly the same as last year and each and every year before that.

I miss the rich history of the country, and the traditions that I hope are being upheld (Guy Fawkes night was always my favourite).

I am feeling really homesick tonight. Indulge me.

Have lived here for almost 13 years, and if we moved tomorrow I would definitely miss...

the weather! (I absolutely hate the heat, and sunshine triggers my rosacea, so cool and cloudy is perfection)

the amazing sense of humour

the M&S Food Hall

Quirky political traditions---PMQs, dogs at polling stations, the election results "swingometer"

Chip shops

Curry takeaways

Mince pies and crumble with custard

Gorgeous churches

Opportunity set for jobs in my industry
How easy it is to get to other countries in Europe/Asia/S.America/Caribbean for holiday... i.e. how easily it is to get out of this country when I am not working.

Which world are you talking about here? Because in the world I live in, the majority of British people don't tolerate anyone who is in any way different from them

But have you travelled extensively, or followed political news in Europe? If you have you would realise it probably is one of the most tolerant countries in the world, that doesn't mean that there isn't any intolerance at all Here though

London is extremely diverse, it is the most cosmopolitan place in the world. But outside of big cities people are not that diverse

Humour, language, wordplay. Heritage /cultural facilities and opportunities.

The UK isn't the only place I have liked living, but it is a good fit.

Could things be better? Sure. Inept government hasn't helped.

I love the quote we are more than our government!
The humour
The NHS ( I once had to arrange hospital care in the USA for a relative I could hardly say what was wrong because they all just wanted to know the insurance cover provider ie who was paying for it before they would really take any interest in my relatives condition, then on finding out it was a good one,the attitude turn around was incredible but made me so appreciative of a need not greed approach of our NHS ) oh and I’ve worked for the NHS before anyone jumps in!
The countryside.

I'm abroad too and one of the things I miss the most is the coast in the UK - the cliffs, the pebbles, the bracing atlantic breezes that clear your head and make you feel alive!

Free museums and art galleries (just been to Holland and the entry prices there are ridiculous).
The countryside
Castles and stately homes
The weather (I don't like hot weather)
No dangerous snakes or spiders
No hurricanes, tornados or earthquakes or, if there is, they are pretty minor
Cafes and restaurants catering for vegetarians (so many countries don't)
Wonderful and free libraries

And I really miss Waitrose. 😳

Dramatic clouds.
Bluebell fields, and how folk look forward to them and celebrate them.
The way people aren't embarrassed about dressing up, and celebrating things.
M&S foodhalls.
Teatowels.
Farmshops.
Sadlers Wells and The Royal Ballet.
Christmas time!
Food magazines.
Lunnon (London)
The North - especially Manchester.
Trains.
The people of the NHS.
Chapel Down Wines.
Closeness to Europe.
Wales, Scotland and Ireland (even though I've only made it to one of them so far!
Saveloys, now I've finally found them. (B&M)
Native Pony & Horse Breeds.

Blue passports and sweet sweet sovereignty.

Well I’m Catholic and call it Bonfire Night and enjoy it very much. What’s not to like as a child about staying up too late, the heat of a fire on a cold night, sparklers and hot dogs with caramelised onions and toffee apples. We don’t have a Guy and I dislike the whole idea of them. You can celebrate the best elements of the tradition and leave the rest!

You need to travel out of where you live to see some other areas.

The landscape. The beautiful countryside. The stunning thatched cottages. SOme of the food and desserts. Some really beautiful little historic towns. The history. Some of the people (depends on where int he UK I am the people can be different).

The first three, lovely though they are, are hardly exclusive to UK!

Fair point. I just don't agree with the reasons behind it

A couple of absolute miseries on this thread.

If you're surrounded by racism, xenophobia and sexism - then find some new friends.

If you're surrounded by rubbish, people dumping pets and whatever - then walk, catch a bus or drive and have a lovely day out. 😀

Anyone who is festering in their local backwards shitfest needs to wake up and change your surroundings / people who surround you.

I grew up in a deprived ex mining town where people never saw different coloured skin, much of the land is contaminated and there are barely any jobs - I moved on and did better despite being disabled and poorly educated. So can you!

The booze aisle in the supermarket. I'm not a big drinker but I love that it's all just there in the supermarket.

Proper seasons, summers not too hot, winters not too cold, beautiful spring and autumn. Our countryside, historical buildings, our cities and towns so varied and cultured, plenty of variety.

I couldn’t agree with you more @Lemondrizzlerain

Lol, my XH was a 'foreigner' and he said it would always make him smile that you could visit the seaside on any day in the drizzle and cold and you would see families gamely sitting on the beach with their picnics and flasks, kids with their swimsuits on.

I loved abroad for a bit recently and really missed:
-proper tea
-proper chocolate
-chippys
-the beautiful countryside
-country pubs with fireplaces
-good tv series
-the radio
-family/friends
-shops like WH Smith, Boots and paperchase

I found a website called British corner shop which was brilliant for the food I missed (baked beans, marmite, tea, biscuits, HP sauce, chocolate etc) and they started doing M&S food which was amazing!

This thread is great. We might have to move abroad as DH’s company is relocating so these are the things that I love and will miss:

Galleries, musuems and theatre
The countryside
Country parks
National Parks
Seaside towns
Roast dinners
British desserts like trifles and sticky toffee pudding
English breakfast
Afternoon teas
Indian food
The restaurants and the food scene
British department stores: M&S, John Lewis, Harrod’s Selfridges, Harvey Nichols
The foodhalls in the department stores
Traditional pubs and gastro pubs
Proximity to Europe and nearby regions for traveling
The British way of queuing
British humour

Breathtaking countryside.
Ancient cottages and churches dotted liberally around which aren't considered a big deal.
Woods.
Coves.
The humour.
The weather.
General kindness and politeness - and living in London didn't change my opinion of this at all.
The cultural heritage.

I echo so much of what has already been said, but my own particular love is for Wolverhampton, and especially its people.

An undiscovered gem of a city, and the very best people you will find in the whole of the UK.