Positive thread about life in England

[Mamibaer]

My family is about to relocate back to the UK after over a decade on the continent. It’s for work reasons, and to be closer to family. In a lovely part of the UK. I’m fluctuating between excited and despairing - the situation seems so bad over there at the moment from what I see in the news (I.e on MN ). Brexit, Covid cases, NHS crisis. Some days I wonder what the hell we’re thinking and others I can’t wait to come back for gorgeous British walks and pub lunches. Can you share what you find positive about life in the UK right now?

I've lived in three countries and there's good and bad in all of them.

The things I missed:

Curry
Decent driving
Sense of humour
Good food
History
Multicultural London
Decent tea made properly

The problem is that's balanced by

Public drunkenness
Divisive media and politics
Piss poor lying right wing press
A positive revelling in ignorance
Exceptionalism

Like anywhere, it's a mix.

[quote CallMeAChopper]@Pumperthepumper

I really have no idea, I’ve never had to use one as the UK has been kind to me[/quote]
Why hasn’t it been kinder to those who now have to rely on foodbanks? What did you do right that they did wrong?

Here’s some interesting information for you: In 2020/21 approximately 2.5 million people used a foodbank in the United Kingdom, over 600 thousand more than the previous year. Throughout the provided time period the number of foodbank users has increased in every year, from just under 26 thousand in 2008/09

Why wasn’t the UK kinder to them?

well, move!

This is everything that's wrong with England. Your choice is accept the shit or move. What about acknowledging the shit and changing it?

Thank you so much everyone. There are some really heartwarming posts on here. I will try to ignore the gloomy news and focus on all the lovely things to look forward to

England is my home so of course I like it but I guess the things I particularly love -

The rule of law. I'm not claiming perfection or lack of racism or lack of big scale corruption but life doesn't operate on routine tips and bribes.

Private Eye.

The place of women in British society. Again, hardly perfect but it has changed so much even since I grew up.

Gardens, villages, paths, moorland and hills. National Trails, rights of way, the right to roam.

@Pumperthepumper

Before you say it, no I wasn’t born with a silver spoon - I come from working class background. My father was in the army then a bus driver. He died young and my mum was a single parent. We lived on benefits. I had children young, I was able to go to university and study with a bursary and a loan. The UK ensured this was possible. 20 years ago I was in a tiny council house struggling to make ends meet. The UK helped me. I’m now comfortably well off living in a 4 bed detached house with surplus money because I was brought up in the UK

[quote CallMeAChopper]@Pumperthepumper

Before you say it, no I wasn’t born with a silver spoon - I come from working class background. My father was in the army then a bus driver. He died young and my mum was a single parent. We lived on benefits. I had children young, I was able to go to university and study with a bursary and a loan. The UK ensured this was possible. 20 years ago I was in a tiny council house struggling to make ends meet. The UK helped me. I’m now comfortably well off living in a 4 bed detached house with surplus money because I was brought up in the UK[/quote]
Ah, all of those things are now closed to more recent generations.

I've travelled widely including to some very poor places. When you see barefoot kids digging through rubbish you see your country in a different light. Realistically, I only live in the UK because my family is here, and it feels like home.

There are good and bad things about living here. I think people are struggling to think of good things because for a long time things in this country have been getting worse not better. Bad things would include the 2008 crash. Then a decade of Tory spending cuts to public services, then brexit and now covid.

If I had to justify it, I'd say the good things about the UK are:

Opportunities to better yourself through education and work.
Really strong economy. Strong currency.
Free speech.
No wars in our country for a long time.
Excellent legal system.
NHS (yes I know it's not great at the moment but if you're in a car crash, you're going to be cared for, and you've already paid in taxes. No charge when giving birth, cancer, covid etc. We don't know how lucky we are.)
Children taught to good standard of education cost included in taxes.
Gun control.
You aren't going to starve to death. There will always be some form of social safety net.

@Pumperthepumper

In 20 years?

[quote CallMeAChopper]@Pumperthepumper

In 20 years?[/quote]
Yes. Where have you been? Benefit cuts? Tuition fees? House prices massively outstripping wages? Pension freezes and retirement age rising? And our old friend foodbanks - now at a record high. Have you missed all of this?

Human Rights, NHS and the relative lack of weather and wildlife that can kill you.

@Pumperthepumper

At no point is anyone saying that there are not issues within the UK. I don't really understand the antagonistic tone towards another poster.
The thread is about positive things in the UK.

I will defend the NHS til I die but if you’re coming from a country where you have excellent private health care (such as the US) then woah, you’re in for a shock

[quote myohmywhatawonderfulday]@Pumperthepumper

At no point is anyone saying that there are not issues within the UK. I don't really understand the antagonistic tone towards another poster.
The thread is about positive things in the UK.[/quote]
What are your positives?

@Pachonga

I will defend the NHS til I die but if you’re coming from a country where you have excellent private health care (such as the US) then woah, you’re in for a shock

Why don’t you just get private here?

[quote myohmywhatawonderfulday]@Pumperthepumper

At no point is anyone saying that there are not issues within the UK. I don't really understand the antagonistic tone towards another poster.
The thread is about positive things in the UK.[/quote]
Agree it’s a bit surly and the rest of mn does this well

Pumper do you like anything about U.K.? Anything positive?

I used to teach in a school located on a rubbish dump in another country. That's poverty with no opportunity to transcend it.

The simple fact that I live here is something I appreciate daily.

It was great up until 2012. Now it feels a bit shit tbh. Boarded up high streets, more food banks than McDonald’s, second highest childcare cost in the world, NHS waiting times, pensioners most likely to be in poverty in Western Europe….Brexit has split the nation whichever way you voted.

Things I like, the humour, warm drizzle in the autumn, cream teas, a nation of gardeners and pet lovers.

Pumper please feel free to start your own thread about UK negatives instead.

@MarshaBradyo yes. I like the wildlife. And I’m in Scotland so we have a more socialist approach to life.

But I do think it’s funny when people rhapsodise about being welcoming as if we didn’t just shoot ourselves in the foot because of ‘immigrants’ and vague ideas of sovereignty, and that we think it’s great that you can have a lovely day out so long as you own a four-bed house and poverty never has to cross your mind. Britain is on its knees and a huge number of people couldn’t give a shit because it doesn’t affect them.

Unless you’re talking Harley Street-level, It’s not the same. Private medicine in the UK is largely still reliant on the NHS and the structure there. BUPA or similar just allows you to jump the queue and have a few bells and whistles.

@bizarrustii

Pumper please feel free to start your own thread about UK negatives instead.

Have you shared your positives?

[quote Pumperthepumper]@MarshaBradyo yes. I like the wildlife. And I’m in Scotland so we have a more socialist approach to life.

But I do think it’s funny when people rhapsodise about being welcoming as if we didn’t just shoot ourselves in the foot because of ‘immigrants’ and vague ideas of sovereignty, and that we think it’s great that you can have a lovely day out so long as you own a four-bed house and poverty never has to cross your mind. Britain is on its knees and a huge number of people couldn’t give a shit because it doesn’t affect them.[/quote]
I’m glad there’s the wildlife at least and socialist approach.

I didn’t vote for Brexit but I can’t change the outcome now. If you think I can somehow then let me know.

I still love it here otherwise I would go

I love London for being the resilient city it is. A terrible time through a pandemic and yet it comes back with culture and life.

@MarshaBradyo where would you go?

@Pachonga

Unless you’re talking Harley Street-level, It’s not the same. Private medicine in the UK is largely still reliant on the NHS and the structure there. BUPA or similar just allows you to jump the queue and have a few bells and whistles.

Ok if you think so.

When we did private I couldn’t help but notice the whole floor dedicated to translators and people from M.E. Something was attracting them.

And yes do the expensive one then if it’s not up to scratch.