To let you all know that Austria rocks?

[bestcatintheworld]

Expat, lived in the UK for half my life.

So you might have seen in the news what's happening in Austria, but honestly, that's just a fraction of what's going on right now. At the railway station in Vienna, hundreds have turned up to welcome the refugees with applause. They are bringing food, medicines, clothes, and most importantly, skills - doctors, lawyers, translators. The police, the army, the national rail service - everybody has behaved impeccably. My Facebook is full of people actually doing stuff. The relief organisations are being inundated with offers to help and have to turn volunteers away.

We're a small country, with a population of less than that of Greater London. 6,5000 have arrived since last night, and we are expecting 10,000 people by the end of today. Many, many families with children. I realise that most of them will eventually travel on to Germany, but still - they are shown that they are welcome and treated with dignity.

Fingers crossed that it continues like this. All my life, I have felt a mixture of shame and embarrassment for my country. Today, for the first time, I feel pride that I can't put into words.

and we are all really interested to know you don't like Great Britain and frankly if you choose not to visit again that is fine too.

Yes, when I returned to visit my mum, I noticed it.

let me know which corner of the UK you visited and I will avoid it.

Funnily enough all the places I visit aren't like that.

Maybe more a reflection on the people you know than the country?

OK mollie, sorry you were only interested in why motherofhell is ashamed of the United Kingdom - and what has it done to make her feel that way. (your words) so thought you might be interested in my thoughts too, my bad.

Far from it, the people I know love living in the UK and think it's one of the best places on the planet. It's a reflection on the DIFFERENCE between where I live now and the UK. Simply that.

I was visiting so I went back to all the places I have lived or loved, that's quite a lot of places. I do like the UK I just don't love it or miss it or even like it AS MUCH as I like the place I live now and I do think the lack of sunshine, the consumerism and the tendancy to moan all contribute to this.

And yet you choose to frequent a predominantly UK message board full of loads of moaning Brits. Must be purgatory for you.

who - yes!

How many destitute UK families have I taken in? Well funnily enough, none, given that I was giving a scenario that is probably 50 years away

I've read and re-read your post regarding this, Tomato and cannot find where you indicated the scenario 50 yrs away. You said "I will not wave, I will open my doors to anyone who needs them open, my family and friends are in the UK"

No mention of 50 yrs time there.

And one minute you criticise Britain, stating 'in your experience'. Then you said 'it hasn't been my experience' then changed it yet again to say that it 'has been your experience'. Your posts are not coming across very clearly, I have to say. People you know love living here, so it can't be all bad??

And I'm not trying to be difficult, but you can't make a blanket statement about an entire nation without some evidence or anecdote to back it up.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (Lib-Dem) is from an Iranian (I think) family who moved here years ago, and thinks the UK is extremely welcoming and tolerant of newcomers to the country.

Austria does indeed rock.

So does the UK. I am heartened by the posts I've seen on Facebook organising donations, people wanting to give what they can, by the people on Mumsnet keen to help, by all the people who are wanting to do their bit for the refugees.

Let's not forget, it was the people kicking up a fuss that made David Cameron backtrack on his original no refugees stance. Keep it up people! We can all do more if we keep pushing.

Well done Austria.

How many are you keeping?

It's simple it wasn't my experience when I was living there, it was my experience when I returned to visit. I'm sorry if that's not clear. But that's how it is.

I'm talking about the flood risk due to rising sea levels. Didn't think it was really necessary to state the time and it's obvious that I wasn't talking about today!

Actually this board is broad, The moaners and misery guts are not the kind of people that use mumsnet, although there are some obviously. I have already stated that I like the UK, it's just that I'm not very proud of it or find it a desirable place to live full time.

Thanks, Theimpossible . This thread got a bit derailed. I just wanted to point out what is happening in Austria and now Germany - their final destination, where they were also met with applause and provisions - so that if when Cameron fulfils his promise, we know how we should behave. We're all humans. These people have endured unspeakable misery, it is heartwarming to see them treated with dignity and respect.

lunchpack very few of those who are currently coming from Hungary. There are provisions, Vienna is prepared and would let them stay, but they all want to go to Germany or Sweden (please note: not the UK). I guess some may return if Angela Merkel succeeds with her request for other EU countries to do their bit.

Would be nice if it happens, it would certainly be lovely to see this happen in the UK.

Oh, and Moopsboopsmum, regarding your comment (yes, yes, there is always one): I followed the news all day and evening yesterday, and I felt really scared for the people. Being told your train is taking you to freedom to then end up at a camp, old people and children setting off on a very long walk into the unknown, guarded by police...that reminds me of 70 years ago.

I was explaining this to my girls- these people are just like us. They had homes, jobs, schools, and have had to just leave everything behind. Not through choice, to survive. They are no different to us, but have been through so much. The least we can do is show them a bit of respect and dignity.

I would do anything to keep my kids safe, so will wholeheartedly support others who are doing the same.

Not sure about Austria, but Germany needs more younger people, has space and resources for them and no/low housing crisis. Win-win, happy result all round.

the UK could theoretically take lot more people, but with our massive population increase in recent years, our infrastructure (power, water, hospitals, schools, transport) can't cope as it is. Until we pay higher taxes, waste less on consultants and actually FIX THINGS this will not change.

and the Geldof idea that we've got plenty of room because 97% of our land isn't built on works on the idea that the answer to the question 'where does food come from?' is 'Waitrose'.

one size does not fit all in Europe. Some countries can take more refugees, others can contribute other solutions.

Not sure that is why, specialsubject , I suspect it's more a mixture of having learned their lesson from their own history and compassion what drives the Germans and Austrians.

Wasn't there a proposal to send back economic migrants who weren't earning £36k after being here a certain amount of time? Perhaps that will free up some more housing for the asylum seekers without needing to build on green belt.

Let's not forget, it was the people kicking up a fuss that made David Cameron backtrack on his original no refugees stance. Keep it up people! We can all do more if we keep pushing.
I think you overestimate your power.
At least David Cameron gave some thought to the best outcome and followed it through. He has not conceded to opening the doors wide but taken a measured sensible approach. I am sure he was as upset as most of us were about the drowned child.

What exactly is the measured sensible approach? How many Syrian refugees again in the UK right now?

bestcat well, maybe, but I doubt that there is that much altruism around.

The UK also used to take loads of immigrants (I'm second-generation) when we needed them. We do of course need younger people but with even more population, things are really going to start give way. As anyone who tries to travel in the south-east will already know, and we will all find out if we have cold winters.

mollie123 I'm not sure you are genuinely interested in my reasons, given your responses to tomatodizzy. Suffice to say that living in the UK is not for me, I am blissfully happy where I am and will not ever be returning to the UK, which I'm sure you'll be glad to hear .

As for why I use this site - to keep my written English up to scratch, the grammar police on here are extremely handy for someone who rarely speaks, reads or writes English anymore, and it is a very useful language.

OP, sorry to derail.

Such goodwil, but yet safe in the knowledge that these people are just passing through and won't be staying

here they are arriving in Munich www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34162844