This is why we can't have nice things, and I'm tired of it

[faithinthesound]

Full disclosure: I don't actually think I'm being unreasonable. I know I'm angry and that is coloring some of my words and actions and responses, but I don't think I'm all that wrong. I'm here for a vent and some commiseration, really.

I've got this joke I make all the time when something goes wrong, like something gets knocked over or falls on the floor. I laugh and I say "and that is why we can't have nice things". But I'm sitting here today seething at just about everyone I've encountered today, because the truth is, we CAN'T have nice things. And I am so sick and tired of people who are the reason why.

Like, we can't have a nice sit out on the back porch because the neighbors are blasting rap.

Like, the timetable machine thing at this bus stop has been broken for months and will never be fixed because the second it's fixed, someone will be along to smash it up again.

Like, I can't get anywhere on time today because people want to stand and argue with the bus driver over whether or not they have to pay (spoiler: yes you bloody well do).

Like, I'm not particularly enjoying my dinner because the woman who served me at the fast food restaurant spoke to me like I am a moron (I'm not), and it has vexed me.

Like, we can't have threads like we used to like Sharon and the wasp, because there's a contingent of Reasons We Can't Have Nice Things who will be along before we're ten posts in, troll hunting and pooh-poohing and calling shenanigans, instead of getting into the spirit of the thing.

What about you guys? Want to share your "I can't have [nice thing] because [reason]"? I know I'm being very negative and ranty but sometimes it's nice just to be able to unload.

Who knows, RWCHNT (Reason We Can't Have Nice Things) might even catch on as a new MN acronym lol.

This thread is very interesting

It’s often about money at the end of the day . Money and education . As evidenced by the posters who have honestly shared how idyllic their Tory villages are !

I went to our local park today and as it’s january

There was barely any litter
The zip wire hadn’t been broken again

But in a few months it will be too unpleasant to visit again . Why ? Why are these kids vandalising their park and ruining it for small kids .i wish I fucking knew why

When you remove inequality motivation disappears!! What a load of rubbish. Being poor grinds you down.

And generally across the world as inequality falls, crime falls.

You'll never remove inequality of opportunity. It depends too much on who your parents know. So you need to reduce inequality of outcome. There's no motivation if there's no prospect of reward.

When you remove inequality motivation disappears!! What a load of rubbish. Being poor grinds you down.

Who mentioned that people needed to stay poor? If you think that having everyone equal works then try asking China and Russia how that worked out. What is the incentive to work and be creative and inventive and grow the economy when your life remains the same as everyone else's, even if that is a bit more comfortable than the current base level?

All I am saying here is that there were very little in the way of safety nets in the past and it wasn't great for people who were vulnerable (and others) but people were motivated to work. It's a bit like the people who take a day of work with the merest of sniffles and those who will work by trying to find what they can do rather than focusing on what they can't. Too many people focus on what they don't have rather than focusing on what they do.

So you need to reduce inequality of outcome.

I can see some problems with that. Some people will never be clever enough to be doctors or scientists. They could work just as hard and be just as supported at school but they just won’t be clever enough. Regardless of their social or economic background.

Christ OP, do you always moan so much? Shit breaks, fix it and move on. Other people exist, they may occasionally get in your way. You're not the center of the universe.

*So you need to reduce inequality of outcome.

I can see some problems with that. Some people will never be clever enough to be doctors or scientists. They could work just as hard and be just as supported at school but they just won’t be clever enough. Regardless of their social or economic background.*

I didn't say "remove", I said "reduce". So that the hardworking mediocre can get themselves a reasonably paying job and feel that their hard work has got them somewhere.

Whereas at the moment the hardworking mediocre without family connections may find themselves on minimum wage. And their younger siblings may think "well what was the point of that? - I might as well enjoy myself while I can, because hard work isn't going to get me anywhere".

try asking China and Russia how that worked out

Or you can go to Detroit and look at the free market in all its splendour.

I certainly agree that hardworking of any kind need encouragement.

Or you can go to Detroit and look at the free market in all its splendour.

Can't afford the airfare :o

Countries with lower inequality such as Iceland, Germany and Norway are more successful countries than we are. Some of the countries with the highest levels of inequality are third world countries.

I also read that countries with a lower multiple between highest earners and lower are generally happier places to be.

The excerpt from Wigan Pier is just dreadful. The human lot can be extremely depressing for many sadly.

Really interesting thread, silly things like the example of the person wiping mud on the bus seat get me almost more than the bigger examples. How do their minds work that they just want to ruin everything for everyone else?

RWCHNT If I buy crisps and treats, then the little fuckers eat them in a day

People remember bad experiences more than good ones. The OP remembers the awkward passengers on the bus, for example, but her memory (probably) omits all of the normal passengers who hopefully make up the majority of public transport users.

The fast-food restaurant woman probably spoke to the OP "like a moron" because in her view, a large number of customers ARE morons, and plenty of these morons are rude to the staff. This doesn't excuse it, but that's what complaints policies are for.

There are plenty of arse-cunts out there of course, it's up to the rest of us to not dwell on these people and be more aware of positive and neutral interactions we have.

has no one sung Taylor Swift yet? I do that in my head every time I see the shit we're in.

TIWWCHNT - overpopulation, house prices, lack of privacy, and no one values quiet. I honestly mourn the loss of quiet. WTF happened?

Which Taylor Swift song Snowdrop?

Chelle yes I must remember that most people don't do that on buses perhaps that's why the one who does so is so memorable for all the wrong reasons.

I hear you OP.

My city put on a nutcracker trail over Christmas. A dozen larger than life size nutcracker figures positioned at various points around the city with a free downloadable trail so that families could do the trail leading up to and over the Christmas period. The second weekend they were installed several were vandalised. Then, just after Christmas, one was stolen. This meant that they were all taken down a week early as the council couldn't risk more damage over new year.

It's depressing. The council did something nice, people were enjoying it and some mindless idiots ruined it.

I don't get the level of entitlement that says "I think that's lame so I'll wreck it". Just walk on FFS. Let those who enjoy it get on with it.

In the summer the council put up a big screen in the city centre and showed the two main Wimbledon finals, followed by a family film each day and then a more adult film in the evenings. The moaners were out in force, complaining about the films not being to their tastes. It was FREE FFS. No doubt the same people will be moaning this year when the city council does nothing because of all the flack they got last year.

ClassicChristmas - Taylor's new album has a song called "This is why we can't have nice things".

on my journey home today I saw a lad with his feet on the bus seats and mentally sang the lines "Because you break them/I have to take them/Awaaaaay"

Thank you, love a bit of Swifty.

I've never heard of Taylor Swift

Can't afford the airfare

Just as well, they are shutting down the airport.

Do try to keep up MrsKoala. How could you have failed to notice Tom's bum in The Night Manager and his raging liaison with Taylor as one part of HiddleSwift?

He could have been the new James Bond two years ago but now the smart money is on Graham Norton in McMafia

Ahhhhhh i did read about Tom (for a moment i thought you meant Hardy ) having a very public affair. I didn't realise that was the lady in question. I never saw the Night Manager - i would have been glued for Hardy but not Hiddles. I'm so please James Norton may be the new Bond because he's my second favouritest. I even fancy him as the psycho in Happy Valley.