What do you dislike about your country's culture?

[WomenHour]

I would say the binge drinking culture of the UK

UK

Class system
Royalty
Racism
Tall poppy syndrome
Lack of importance of education, both government and parents attitude
The spend, spend, spend attitude on overpriced tat
Binge drinking
Poor role models in the media e.g. people from TOWIE

• ou've reminded me of one of the things I hate about the UK - the whole notion of "parenting" and how if your child does good things or bad things it's all to do with your amazing (or awful) "parenting".

Whereas in other countries they treat their children as individuals and don't see "parenting" as a thing you do, but "parents" as what you are and don't try to preen themselves every time their child does something amazing. Yes we are proud of our children but there is a difference between being proud and preening yourself on your oh so amazing parenting, when in reality you're just lucky that they sleep well or work well in school or have a talent for music or sport or something else even if you have supported that talent eg by getting up every day for 5am swimming practice.

I get the impression that it's quite a British way to be.*

This with bells on! There’s no such thing as ASD, ADHD, sensory issues, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc etc, just bad parenting apparently 🙄.

UK
The overwhelming sense of superiority to other nations and out exceptionalism when clearly we are not brilliant at every as the CoVid crisis has shown.

Letting politicians get away with screwing up our institutions, selling them off and buying themselves future directorships.. Being lazy about finding out what is really happening to people less well off and not voting when people are still dying in parts of the world to keep this right or get it in the first place...
Laziness in general...

@cologne4711

It's not woke or whatever to say 'actually the British Empire did do some bad things', it's just what happened

Of course, but what you're not allowed to do is say that maybe the British brought some good things to the countries they overlorded it in, too. Which is also "just what happened". You're not allowed a balanced view, only the woke one.

Like what? The only thing I can think of is global trade.

@GisAFag THIS

This was in the paper this month
WINDHOEK, Namibia — Namibia’s President Hage Geingob on Tuesday said reparations offered by Germany for mass killings in its then colony at the start of the twentieth century were “not acceptable” and needed to be “revised.”

German occupiers in Namibia killed tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people in 1904-1908 massacres, which historians have called the first genocide of the 20th century.

I suspect that we only have an idea about British history - there is plenty about other countries if you look, As mentioned by SerenityNow above. Not saying it shouldn't be acknowledged, just that it wasn't only the British Empire that were baddies and a bit more research wouldn't go amiss.

I would think that researching British Colonial history would be a lot more to the point. Personally, 'well they did as bad/ or worse/' has never really resonated with me as either acknowledgement or ownership.

It doesn't change what the particular party did, nor its impact on the other party.

The cancel culture that's becoming more and more insidious.

We never got taught much about colonialism or the Scramble for Africa. Closest we came to it was slavery (this was in the mid to late '90s).

Also, when you're researching history, you need to be mindful of who is writing it, and for what reason.

So, for example, my daughter is very interested in the Israeli/Palestine conflict. She needs to read accounts from both sides.

With New Zealand history, you've got to be mindful of it being written from the point of 'the conquerors write the history', and attempt to read earlier writings written very much to 'whitewash' history, read Maori accounts, and read current accounts from both parties.

And it can be very uncomfortable for a Pakeha New Zealander, let alone a British Pakeha New Zealander.

We did (higher history, mid 80s) colonialism, the race for African colonies, slavery, and in sociology the Russian revolution (and communism in China and Cambodia).

We did the Russian Revolution, Nazi Germany, South Africa and Civil Rights in the US for GCSE History. I think people did Irish history for A-Level but not sure.

Never a wiser wide spoken

We did the history of Ireland and highland clearances (yes the Scots were royally shat upon too).

History, we did WW2 in GCSE. My kids did WW2 3 times I think, it felt like they did it every year (they didn't do GCSE). The country does seem somewhat very focused on it. It did strike me that is was one of the few times Britain had to be proud of the side they'd chosen. I have started to read about the History of Britain in Colonial times, it really is fascinating how a small, unimportant nation managed it to acquire an Empire.

I did Irish history and British politics early 20th century for A level

Rewarding failure, celebrity adoration. Wanting to be a you tuber for the younger generation. LITTERING (sometimes wonder about all those scummy people that if the litter wasn't removed from when they previously were at the beach/beauty spot, if they'd whinge about it on their return) if you can take something there, take it back with you. 'Consultant' companies running the country via the tories need to outsource and privatise and to some degree the belief that things can't change for the better.

@GisAFag

I hate that the English can't be patriotic/proud without being called racist. But other nations can.. Its so bloody annoying.

What do you mean? ( genuine question- I am not being rude )

Littering and antisocial behaviour is at the top of my list.

Particularly antisocial behaviour. It left me with PTSD.

@Rhynswynd

That is an issue in parts of the UK too, particularly in some Northern towns that I have lived in.

Littering/grafitti - just why?

Food waste - makes me furious when there are people going hungry every single day (restaurants and supermarkets take note!)

Bad parenting - causing bratty children and the cycle continues on

Lack of taking responsibility for one's own life - NO-ONE is to blame but the individual

The expectation that everyone loves drinking alcohol - being tee-total does not mean someone is a freak/bore!

Extortionate train fares - absolutely disgusting!

Plastic looking pouty faces everywhere - when will girls/women understand that make up is for enhancing their looks, not to make them look like a plastic doll - and the pouting - it's so ugly!

The pouting selfie culture - see above - why not just smile? So much more attractive

Lack of links with/respect of our beautiful countryside

Our welfare state is just too lenient - I'm all for it being there for supporting people during tough times but when it's year after year or decade after decade, in some (not all) cases, it's just wrong on so many levels.

@Gardenpad your dad sounds awesome, your family must be very proud of him.

[quote IDidntChoseThePondLife]@Gardenpad your dad sounds awesome, your family must be very proud of him.[/quote]
Thank you - he’s 86 now - his brain is still whirring and problem solving but now it’s mostly confined to improving the functionality of his mobility aids, there’s always an improvement to be made! 😂

phatsandsmall I think it’s because it’s frowned up on to fly a British flag. Rule Britannia and Land of Hop and Glory was nearly axed because the BLM campaigners objected to it being played at Last night of the proms You can’t admit that you think this country is good. I’ve been all over the world, my dd lives in Dubai and tbh this country is so bad compared to others.

I’ve been to some right shit holes around the world were litter was shocking and upsetting on a much bigger scale than it is here.

Lots of sweeping statements on this thread but not all of England is in a state. You tend to get litter the closer you get to city centres. Where I live people are very proud of there areas.

I wish people could me more proud of this country. The government is shite bit that doesn’t reflect the whole of the nation