to think that 'first world problem' is a pretty shit thing to say?

[Mallorie]

For so many reasons...

• do you really think people in 'third world countries' are so busy being poor that they don't care about what their hair looks like in the rain, or what kind of drink to serve when their friends come over, or which school to send their kids to, or what car to buy? This shouldn't be news to anyone, but people in Brazil and Nigeria and bloody Finland (yes, Finland is considered a third world country in the original definition, check out the wikipedia age) care about their hair and schools and cars and it just sounds classist/racist/ignorant to use a tired joke over and over that doesn't recognise this.

• are you blind to the massive levels of inequality and poverty in your own 'first world' country?

• the original divisions of the 'worlds' are based on this: 1st: UK/US and their important allies. 2nd: China/(then) USSR and their allies 3rd: Everyone else, which conveniently were mainly British and European colonies at some point. So, for us here in the UK to express our superiority to these countries every time we complain about non-life threatening problems just seems nasty.

Actually princess started discussing how cancer was worse in a third world country. That is why I asked. It sounded as if cancer was only bad under third world conditions.

Cancer is the same in any country, I was making the point that it's the treatment options available that differ and in the UK we're very lucky to have access to some of the best treatments. Of course a diagnosis of cancer is going to be as devastating for anyone in whatever country they live, but if there's at least hope that there are some options available that are non-palliative that is something. Anyway, this is completely off topic, just something that continues to be very close to my heart personally.

Chanel where did you read this in my post?

Crumbs commented "none of life’s challenges in the U.K. compare to those of the villages we’ve passed through today..."
A completely ridiculous statement, which I disagreed with.

You replied to me saying you agreed with Crumbs and the poverty we experience in the UK - while completely unacceptable - is not comparable with what I've seen and never ever will be.

It seems pretty clear you are talking about poverty there, not other kinds of suffering. And you agreed that none of life's challenges in the UK are as bad as in (so-called) third world countries. It's simply not true. On average people are better off here, yes. But plenty of individuals suffer silently and alone and in dreadful ways without anyone caring, so saying everything is a first-world problem by virtue of living in the UK is really ignorant.

MissMoneyPlant

May I ask which countries you've lived in? You may not wish to answer if you consider this outing, but I am making comparisons from first-hand experience of living in both the UK and countries within the Asia region (living within villages living among locals, and not as an expat) and I'm happy to stand by my comments based on my this. I appreciate that other regions of the world may be totally different and the same comparisons may not be appropriate.

MissMoneyPlant

Perhaps I should also mention that one of the countries continues to refuse to ratify the CEDAW treaty, which should give some insights into the kinds of non-poverty related suffering which are very common and for which there is absolutely no support.

MissMoneyPlant of course people suffer in UK. However, for people who are forced from their homes through conflicts or natural disaster, where families are ripped asunder, where there is genocide, where one doesn’t expect children to live into adulthood, where life expectancy is low and where there is famine, epidemic disease and absolute and unrelenting poverty there can be little serious comparison.
In the U.K. there is hope, there is access to medical care, there are welfare benefits there are food banks and soup kitchens - not ideal at all times admittedly but they are there.

Completely agree crumbs. Suffering is relative of course, but when you look at what's been happening in Syria in recent years, it's sadly very clear that there is no comparison to what we may go through in the UK. None.

I have lived, although only for a coupe of years, in developing nations, yes.

I still dont think you can say that none of life's challenges in the UK are comparable. People die alone in dreadful circumstance here, and I don't think material poverty (on its own) is necessarily worse.

Sorry, cross-posted there.

for people who are forced from their homes through conflicts or natural disaster, where families are ripped asunder, where there is genocide, where one doesn’t expect children to live into adulthood, where life expectancy is low and where there is famine, epidemic disease and absolute and unrelenting poverty there can be little serious comparison.

Right but we're not comparing people in that situation, are we? And we're not comparing averages. I'm saying that genuine horrendous suffering happens in the UK too, whereas you said that nothing here is comparable simply because we're in a "first-world" country. Like, a poor person in a "third world" country is automatically suffering more than any person possibly could in the UK.

And I think in the UK there are people who have been in wars to, think of immigrants or ex military folks or the elderly (who lived through WWII).

My grandma was widowed with eight children and forced to leave their home during WWII, could only take a cart full of her belongings. Know what was one of the things she took? Her ball gown. Totally first world thing to do, wasn‘t it.

I think we never know why people do the things they do and should not be do judgemental.

I agree with you. It's patronising. Using "first world problem" not only makes it sound like a stealth boast by anyone living in the "first world" but also suggests that hunger, war and poverty are the only factors in the lives of people in other countries.

I see it a lot and I'm always tempted to moan about my problems and tag it with "developing world problem" as I don't live in the up itself "first world". It's condescending.

I'd love to see #developingworldproblems take off. We could have some great hidden digs and get our own back

The irony of the op is killing me. Navel gazing to that extent is deffo a first world problem.

How about the alternative, a "white whine"?

It isn’t a phrase usually use different as gentle teasing. In reality none of life’s challenges in the U.K. compare to those of the villages we’ve passed through today

Did you take a slightly blurred photo crumbs through a hedge as you did with your house?

We all have different crosses to bear...