Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel the UK is really a bit crap?

401 replies

clogdance · 29/04/2017 21:08

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 Hmm.
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.

OP posts:
JamesBlonde1 · 01/05/2017 19:51

Well if they don't like the UK they can move to Germany and I wish them well. We're still in the EU last time I checked.

Orlantina · 01/05/2017 19:54

Well if they don't like the UK they can move to Germany and I wish them well

Or - and here's a thought - the UK could become a better place for all people, and not just for those people who have a fabulous life here?

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 01/05/2017 19:55

Well if they don't like the UK they can move to Germany

And another one

TeaAddict235 · 01/05/2017 19:56

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.

this could be said the same in Germany:
I've had a lovely weekend in Deutschland 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. Plus lots of police driving past and asking for ID, especially from non-Aryans.

Dowser · 01/05/2017 19:56

Love England, Wales and Scotland. Probably Ireland too if I ever get over there.
Best country out of all I've been too

Dowser · 01/05/2017 19:58

That should have been countries. Only been to,western Europe and America mind

Livelovebehappy · 01/05/2017 20:11

Show me a Eutopia, where every person in that country is happy with their lot. There is no such country. One person's heaven is another person's hell. Silly to say that it's not good enough that millions are happy, because apparently we should make sure everyone is happy. That will never happen. Some people are born pessimistic and will find fault with anything, whereas someone else will look at the positives. That's human nature.

Orlantina · 01/05/2017 20:16

livelovebehappy

So do you think the UK is perfect?

Or do you think there are some things we can learn from other countries to make the UK even better?

Orlantina · 01/05/2017 20:21

It's a bit like schools. I've worked in a lot of schools - some schools think they're great and do a good job. They probably do - but some things they do aren't brilliant and other schools have better systems in place.

Some people on here would say - well, go to the school that you think is better then.

Others would say ' maybe we can learn something from that other school and possibly try out their methods that seem to work.

howrudeforme · 01/05/2017 21:18

Orlantina - spot on.

JamesBlonde1 · 01/05/2017 21:29

Lots of countries could learn something about another. North Korea need to open their eyes for a start.

The OP states the German child's English is good. Well it would be - a massive section of the planet speaks and uses English as a standard language. That's life. In their interests to teach English. Important that we have a go though.

Impressed with big solid houses. That's good. We should go back to solid housebuliding days. At least we use bricks. We do have less buildable land than Germany or at least we shouldn't cover the place with housing. Need some fields so we can eat and some views to keep us positive. We need to redevelop brownfield sites. I understand a lot of Germans rent their homes, rather than buy.

Saw a thread recently about veganism and what would happen if we all turned to eating veg and whatever else you eat if vegan. Looked a bit grim actually. Apocalyptic Shock.

I agree, the child is spouting what his tree hugging, flip flop wearing parents are saying. Entitled to their views of course. Shouldn't upset the OP thoughcos we're doing well as a country competitively.

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 01/05/2017 21:38

I agree, the child is spouting what his tree hugging, flip flop wearing parents are saying

Thats one fuck of a leap Grin

theresamustgo · 01/05/2017 22:02

This thread is so depressing. Wish I could go and live somewhere else. Sadly that current right is being thrown away.

tovelitime · 01/05/2017 22:07

You don't think that perhaps not every single house in Germany is big and well built. Plenty of houses here are too

hennaoj · 01/05/2017 22:36

Well the Germans must think life in Germany is a bit crap. Why else would they have a poo shelf in their loo's?

user1487175389 · 01/05/2017 22:40

I find German people often lack subtle social skills, but it may be something lost in translation. They think nothing of telling you your parenting is wrong and that they know better (even when they clearly know nothing) for example. I'm part German myself BTW.

Livelovebehappy · 01/05/2017 22:55

Orlantina; of course the UK isn't perfect, but that's the point I was making. It's impossible to make everyone happy all of the time, in any country. Every country has its faults, and every country can learn from others, but I just don't agree that the UK is crap. It's not perfect, but neither is it 'crap'.

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 01/05/2017 23:05

teaaddict your insinuations are revolting.

BoboChic · 02/05/2017 08:10

user1487 - what constitutes acceptable judgements and what doesn't (subtle social skills) is entirely culture dependent.

scaryteacher · 02/05/2017 09:17

Stevie The weather is not warmer in Belgium!!! Not a palm tree in sight, unlike in my bit of Cornwall.

TrollMummy · 02/05/2017 09:36

Look at the unemployment figures in European countries, particularly youth unemployment. Pretty depressing Confused

StarHeartDiamond · 02/05/2017 09:39

Not rtwt but

What a blanket view and very naive.

Orlantina · 02/05/2017 09:42

Look at the unemployment figures in European countries, particularly youth unemployment

As is unemployment is parts of the UK. Because Europe, like the UK, is not one mass but is made up of different areas all with their own issues.

And then look at the wages in different parts of the country.
Contract types.
House prices / rent prices

Pretty depressing.

JustMystified · 02/05/2017 09:57

Ah... as you get older the more you leave Britains lush green, pounding rain, black umbrellas, red post boxes/photo boxes/buses, the more you relish then when you get back to it all again.

I love Britain, the accents, the humour. The social awkwardness. The stiff upper lip. The pies. The chips. Nobody does the uk better than Britons.

Ps: Every country has its problems.

GloriaV · 02/05/2017 11:35

I think what I don't like in the UK is the amount of litter - many places abroad just don't chuck their takeaway boxes out of the car windows. I mean why not just take it home?

I think the class issue is big in the UK as we still have such a divided education system. That leads to unfairness. I'm sure most countries have a type of class system but I think there are more 'elites' hogging the best jobs here than abroad.

Apart from that it's pretty good... or at least it has the best tv and radio of anywhere I have been and best gardens thanks to the weather.

Swipe left for the next trending thread