I was born and raised abroad, came to live in the UK years ago and gained citizenship.
This country is home to me. It's where my children were born, where I live and work, and I would not contemplate emigrating (except when I retire, where I shall naturally buy a country pile in Normandy :o)
Yes the UK is a great place to live. I love the BBC, I love that the art scene is so vibrant, that the press is so strong, that the judiciary is independent. For all its faults, I love public transport in London.
But that doesn't mean we should stop ourselves from criticising things that don't work. And the retort of "if you are not happy, why don't you just move elsewhere", while funny when said in jest, actually makes me rather uncomfortable: not everyone can move elsewhere, and we, as a society, should strive to make this place as good, enjoyable and inclusive as it can be, for the largest number of people. This means criticism is necessary from time to time to make things change.
In random order, some of the things that grate me about living here are:
The celebrity obsession is much stronger in England than where I grew up (Canada). I read recently that when little girls are asked what they want to be when they grow up, the no. 1 "career choice" is footballer's wife. This makes me want to weep. You wouldn't hear a single little girl in Canada say they want to be a ice hockey player's wife!
The NHS is not the holy grail that many Brits like to believe - many countries have better state-provided health care provision, including France.
Poor socio-economic mobility in Britain, and the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the elite, is alarming and sobering. The class system (and, by extension, the monarchy) is a disgrace. Why do we even tolerate it? Why do we think it's okay that a posh boys' clique runs the country?
The weather is shit.
The school admissions system is insane - catchment voids anyone?
The state childcare provision is appalling or non-existent - where I used to live in Canada, everyone is entitled to nearly free (less than £5/day) childcare.
Sexism is rife. As a woman, it is much more difficult to get through the glass ceiling here than in some other countries. None of my Canadian friends who have children have given up their professional careers; by contrast, none of my British friends have gone on to work full time after having kids.
Don't get me started on Christmas! Why are there no decent Christmas trees in this country? Anyone who thinks UK has the best Christmas needs to book a flight to Montreal pronto!
It's impossible to buy a decent baguette.
English dentists are scary. I used to LOVE going to the dentist.
Oh, and did I mention the weather is shite? :)
OP, THANK YOU for starting this thread and allowing me to rant! I feel years of silent moaning have now lifted off my chest :o