AIBU to feel the UK is really a bit crap?

[clogdance]

We have a German exchange child staying with us. He has been learning English at school for 2 years, and is apparently not top of the class in it. He spent supper talking to me about the rights and wrongs of vegetarianism and veganism.
He also mentioned that he lives in an old house but that new houses in Germany are larger and more solidly built. Just like here then .
His family are very very pleased that they unlike us are staying in the EU. And that they, unlike us, are welcoming a very large number of Syrian refugees.
Being English feels pretty depressing.

Italy? Greece? Romania? Germany is having trouble with some of the refugees.

Because you said the UK is crap!

Aderyn
You can't use them interchangeably. You just can't. I'm sure you didn't mean to exclude all others but that is exactly what someone would be doing if they refer to England when meaning the whole of the UK. We are not all English, we are Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English or, to make everyone included, British.
Andy Murray is not an English tennis player, he is British and plays for Britain, being born in Scotland.James Nesbitt is not an English actor,he is a British actor, born in Northern Ireland.etc.
I suppose it's like eating a delicious fruit salad and then commenting to a friend how much you enjoyed your Strawberry salad. The part cannot signify the whole.
I'm not being an arse, it just gets rather annoying as it comes across as so exclusionist.
We don't want to go back to the days of the first Encyclopædia Brittanica and the entry for Wales famously said : ' See England.'

Wild, everyone on this thread has talked about whether the UK is a bit crap but haven't specified what part of the UK they are from, therefore everyone is using UK and their particular nation interchangeably.

I'm not sure why you jump to the assumption that I would describe Andy Murray as English etc. To clarify, I wouldn't. But if Andy Murray was giving his opinion on the state of the UK, I wouldn't take offence at him saying UK while meaning Scotland (as he would be referring to his experience based on where he lives).

I'm not sure if I've explained particularly well, but it's not the same as saying England is the only bit that matters or that England/Wales/Scotland/N Ireland are exactly the same!

@GloriaV- must be scary chatting so much shit.

The future King of England? Do you say that Aderyn ?

Try living in Syria or North Korea then. You spoilt westerners have no idea how good you have it.

as he would be referring to his experience based on where he lives
He lives in England.

Not another tedious UK bashing thread. Of course, everywhere else is just soooo much better!🙄

Derxa, I would probably just say 'future king'.

Does he? Okay, not great example. Thought he owned a hotel in Scotland. Assumed he lived there.

Not another tedious UK bashing thread. Of course, everywhere else is just soooo much better

Do you think it's ok for people who live in the UK to question the way some things are done? Or are you one of those people who don't believe that people should be allowed to criticise their own country?

I for one am glad we live in a country where we are allowed to criticise our own country - although it feels like some people think others shouldn't be allowed to do that.

Aderyn
I'm glad ur not saying they are all the same or that some parts are excluded. Must have just got lost in translation. But u need to keep in mind that referring to the UK to signify one part of it is grand, but to refer to England and expect everyone to know that u mean the whole of the UK will not be received well.
Darn it, let's all celebrate our similarities, differences and dance the night away together in Ibiza!

Sounds good to me Wild

Orlantina, who said criticism wasn't allowed? Not me!
Our country is in places no better or worse than the next place, some things aren't amazing but name a perfect country, because there isnt one.

Orlantina, who said criticism wasn't allowed? Not me

Calling it a tedious UK bashing thread?

I love the UK and I'm convinced everywhere has its bad points. I love the countryside, the food, the TV, the history and culture... the fact that people do things like queue and hold doors for you, and if you bump into them, they say 'sorry'.

BUT I do think we get taxed very heavily and get pretty shit public services in return (when compared against many other European countries). And we're really overcrowded - I love going to other countries and driving on big wide open roads without a traffic jam in sight.

Pros and cons. Swings and roundabouts.

"the fact that people do things like queue and hold doors for you, and if you bump into them, they say 'sorry'."

For anyone in London or the Home Counties, do you feel like this has been lost? I go out of my way Robbie polite, but nine times out of ten, I don't get a thank you (and I'm pregnant, I'm going out of my way!).

We invented cricket. What's not to love?!

As the BA advert once said. 'You invented a game, that nobody knows the rules to, and the whole world whops you at it!'

Was that supposed to help renaissance ?

Thats another tick in the con box for the uk

YANBU
CheeseQueen: France has all that you've listed, only they have much better healthcare than in the UK, better workers' rights and benefits - AND far better weather than the UK.

Oh Rufus, who can't love the foibles of cricket! Play for 5 days and still end up with a draw.....fantastic!

Iona but France doesn't have cricket.......

Germany is one of the least racist countries in the world too

Bollocks x infinity!

Agree that this poster is most definitely white.

Absolutely appalled. words fail me whoever thinks such garbage.

Op, true that the everyday working class german probably enjoys a life on a par with many MC English activities such as skiing, affordable lifestyle and access to good education and better social mobility. But Germans have a totally different way of approaching life and looking at the world. Brits are far more educated about world history and social nuances (the Germans aint!), the world is not just black and white (for germans it very much is. end. of.discussion). But Germany has to do certain social aids due to its past, despite the fact that many germans might not want to help, and would equally want to leave the EU if geography, politics and history hadn't dictated otherwise.

Very stereotypical of a young german going around telling others what they are doing wrong. yawn.

Millions of us have a fabulous life in the UK.

I don't have all night to make a list and I'll not make this about Great Britains v Germans but bloody hell our islands are far from crap. Maybe your life is just crap?

I've had a lovely weekend in the North looking at stunning countryside, coastline and beautiful architecture, all surrounded by absolutely wonderful local characters and well mannered, knowledgable children. Oh and lots of laughs too.

Millions of us have a fabulous life in the UK

Yes -there are plenty of people in the UK who have great lives. Shame about other people who don't though.