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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the UK is just a bit crap?

241 replies

moussakka · 06/05/2016 20:13

Right don't get me wrong - I love being British and am super proud of being British. But having moved back recently, I just can't escape the feeling that everything's a bit... I don't know, nothing TERRIBLE, just a bit... well, crap? I don't know what it is exactly, but there's just a certain grimmness that I just can't put my finger on. Am I imagining it? Is it just re-entry shock?

OP posts:
Sistersweet · 08/05/2016 22:40

The unpredictable weather and the grey of Britain is truly shit. Otherwise it's my favourite place on earth

Toadinthehole · 10/05/2016 20:05

cleaty

I am sure it depends where you live in NZ. The racism in farming rural community was far more extreme than anything I have ever heard before.

Well, NZ is overwhelmingly urban. But apart from that, like I said, people here are slower to take offence (except perhaps British expatriates called Cleaty). Unlike the UK, racially-incited violence is rare, rioting unheard of, hardships endured by Maori due to an unfortunate colonial legacy, not racism now.

The UK has nothing to teach NZ on race relations.

Nice to be able to say something good about NZ after my earlier rant :)

Princesspinkgirl · 11/05/2016 11:14

I'm UK born and bread but I'm leaving the UK when my baby's born due December Christmas day hopefully moving when baby is few months reason I choose to leave this country is because I've had enough of it want a new life boyfriend owns property abroad so in a lucky situation there we don't intend to come back

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 11/05/2016 11:32

Where "abroad" Princess?

lemanitoba · 11/05/2016 12:04

If I could I'd emigrate to Scandinavia.

Which will no doubt be impossible if leave the EU.

feellikeanalien · 11/05/2016 12:17

I agree. Just moved back after living abroad for 18 years. There are some great things here, the countryside, lots of the people but it seems that unless you have plenty of money or a good job life can be quite crap. Bureaucracy is also a nightmare.

My DP who has 25 years of painting and decorating experience abroad for a high end luxury holiday development has returned to find that he has to pay £1000 to get someone to confirm that his work is acceptable (which apparently takes a couple of hours) so that he can get an NVQ which will not enhance his abilities in any way. This is only to get access to building sites!

As far as I can see targets and jobs enforcing these targets are the only growth industry left!

Rant over for the day!

OrraBoralis · 11/05/2016 12:40

OP I absolutely get where you are coming from. I think Continental Europe is less bleak probably because the weather is better. However, I have lived in SE Asia for 21 years now and I am totally sick of always feeling hot and sticky, local people that I've known for years still being surprised that I can take chilli and since my kids went back to Scotland 4 years ago I want to be there.

I love Scotland with all my being; rain, shine or fucking freezing, being away for so long has made me appreciate the beauty of my country and the humour of the people. The country I live in is very sterile and very busy, The Government try to instil a feeling of togetherness and it is all fake.

So YABU and YANBU, hope that helped.

toffeeboffin · 11/05/2016 13:18

Interesting read.

I'm a Brit living abroad, lived in Canada for seven years.

Planning a trip home this summer, haven't been back for two years.

Honestly, I'm curious as to how things are going to be. The last time I was home I noticed a lot of things : particularly that a lot of people looked unhealthy and generally scruffy. It seemed expensive. The weather is rubbish. People seem aggressive, they really do.

But what bothers me most is what Freesh said

'But, the thing which really worries me, mostly from reading MN threads, is the state of the health and education systems'.

My brother is a teacher and tells me horror stories. My mum retired two years ago from the NHS, still keeps in touch with colleagues and also tells horror stories.

Education and health care are the pillars of a good society, the amount of threads on here about the problems with the NHS and teaching /schooling are shocking.

I miss a lot of things from home. Most of which have been mentioned here.

But where we live now we have such a good stand of living. Great house. Super schools practically next door. World class uni's half an hour away. Proper summers and winters. Affordable lifestyle.

moussakka · 12/05/2016 14:15

Wow thanks for all the responses! Interesting to hear so many thoughts. I agree that theres loads of great things about the UK - I am a very proud Brit and I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think there were lots of positives. It's also why I've been surprised really to be feeling a bit nonplussed now I'm here. For me it's not the weather so much - although on some level I guess there is more 'greyness' here, which could make a difference without thinking about it iyswim. But it is more just a general feeling.... things just seem a bit more grim and bleak here... the mood is less optimistic and the mood feels more sort of... not aggressive but more just snidey or snarky something I don't know?! Maybe Ive just forgotten about British sarcasm and passive aggressive politness style... the country that I moved from (Germany) has a much more direct straightforward style..! ;) Maybe it's just culture shock I don't know...! On the plus side, am enjoying the chit chat and banter in shops, out and about etc, the weather has been lovely and there are some very friendly people about. Also had some decent fish and chips which was a treat :D

OP posts:
abgcas · 20/07/2016 14:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

pleasemothermay1 · 20/07/2016 14:45

My auntie moved to the US 29 years ago just had to sell her house to pay for her cancer treatment she will have to live wit he her daughter will bring I'll everything she worked for gone

Don't think she thinks living abroad rocks

She wishes she never left our NHS might not the best in the world but I won't have to sell my house if I am ill

catbasilio · 20/07/2016 14:52

I am an immigrant. Nothing wrong with my home country but I love living in the UK. Especially - surprise, surprise - the weather. I love rain and I have sensitive skin, so anywhere cloudy is my preference. Temperatures are mostly pleasantly mild and despite living in London I feel like I am near the sea at times (wind, seagulls). Genuinely love it.

Everything else is so so, some things better than Europe and some worse.

heron98 · 20/07/2016 15:52

I agree.

I am not proud of being British at all. I think other countries do most things better than us and our weather is always dire.

However, it's my home and my family live here so this is how things are.

Maz2444466 · 20/07/2016 15:59

I love London, love the UK. I actually love the weather too. Like cloudy, cool days. Can't stand the heat, impossible to get anything done.

Maz2444466 · 20/07/2016 16:02

And also, the grass is always greener.

EnthusiasmDisturbed · 20/07/2016 16:15

I missed home terribly when I lived I. Sydney the when I came over after a week I started really missing Sydney which is a great city but not as brilliant as London

Was a little surprised you said Munich I guess its what you get used to

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