What does this country have going for it? UK

[Haveagentlechristmas]

Sorry if this is a goady thread, but with the awful weather we have had for weeks, the astronomical electricity prices, the uncaring and mismanaging government, an NHS that is absolutely crumbling despite those working in it giving their body and soul to the job, locked down borders where we can no longer as easily work, travel and live in 20 something countries, could people please help with positives of this country. I'm feeling like all my pride and patriotism has vanished.

@Kinnorafron lovely answer thank you x

And whiskey

Also, Wales & Scotland are fab

A World beating Satellite launch space program....

Beautiful countryside.

Compared with a lot of countries I think we are also pretty good at: democracy, freedom of speech, tolerance of other religions, and racial equality. Yes I know we aren't perfect but as a whole we try on those things.

We do small pretty fishing villages quite well

Fish & Chips

The Oxford Dictionary

I'm loving some of these thank you. Restoring my faith a little x

It is mainly appreciated by those of us who stopped liking it, moved away and found our way back. Perhaps post 2022 things will be different but I never felt home ouside the UK 😀

The RNLI

Ooh! MARMITE

Definitely

Some of the best countryside in the world
a fantastic history
much better work life balance than many countries
ability and willingness to stand alone if necessary
sense of humour
Largely welcoming to everyone
a police force that rules by consent
a Better welfare system than most
a free at the point of use healthcare system
a world renowned educational system
almost unrivalled levels of freedom
fantastic coastline
almost unrivalled In literary genius
so many inventors who have changed the world

it goes on. I love living here, I’m. Proud to be British. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. If people don’t like it, they can move to France

Heritage and landscapes. Museums and art galleries. That sort of thing

It's tough, I agree. So much feels doom-laden.

But the good things - my kind and friendly neighbours. Great stuff on the BBC (tv and radio). The gorgeous countryside. Fish and chips in a rapidly steaming up car in a rainy car park looking at the sea. The incredible range of songbirds visiting the garden. A temperate climate that allows us to grow so many fruits and vegetables. Incredible free museums. A food culture that embraces cuisines from all around the world. Yorkshire Tea. A fairly pragmatic mindset. All Creatures Great And Small. Corner shops. Good live music and theatre, and not just in the major cities. Highland cows. Scones and cream. So many accents in one tiny island. Doc Martens. Biting into the flake in a 99.

Christmas. It’s crap in other places.

Countryside. Try going for a country walk in Europe… it’s all privately-owned land where hunters abound. In the US there’s plenty of land, but official “trails” (footpaths) are very antiseptic. No stiles and hedges etc etc - and no pub at the end!

Yes!

and Norn Iron. I am ashamed to say I never went to Ireland until I was over 40. What an idiot - the people are wonderful and friendly and decent and polite and have a brilliant sense of humour and there are some stunning places - Giant's Causeway, The city walls in Derry/Londonderry, The Lochs, the hills, the pubs.

Lots of lovely jobs! The UK has always been quick to offer me work, with decent pay, with holidays and sick pay and pension and (since having DC) flexible working.

I literally could not get arrested in Ireland, jobswise.

So much. Fascinating history, beautiful countryside, greater freedoms than many places. Yes, the NHS is in a bad way, but with vision and political will, it can be fixed. Seasons - I’ll put up with January so that I can see the seasons unfold and change. General tolerance and civility - not perfect, but 6 year olds are not shooting their teachers. Nowhere is perfect, but here is home.

Democracy and the rule of law and the way we often weirdly agree despite being split into two groups. Left and right wing. Daily Mail and guardian. For example support for Ukraine or the late Queen being a good egg.
I lived in London during the London bombings and the whole city just sort of calmly did the sensible things. My partner is a nurse and medical and nursing staff just appeared in her hospital to help whether they were retired or on a day off or on mat leave or whatever.
You watch op when we get a labour govt and Wes Streeting is health minister the NHS will rise like Fawkes on a burning day.

and Whisky too.

Clean water
Regular power supply
Rights for women and girls (these do need safeguarding)
Widespread cultural tolerance
Clean air in most places
Reasonably good roads
A commitment to public services
Good education for all
Amazing cultural offerings, many for free
Diverse geography
Plentiful food
A National public health programme
Pubs
Libraries
Museums
Public parks
Good public records
World renowned scientists, architects, clinicians, artists, musicians, sportspeople
Good homegrown TV
Awesome regional food

I could go on??

Beautiful countryside
Rich historical and cultural heritage
Good sense of humour
Relatively stable government and entrenched support for the rule of law
Relatively affluent and while there is poverty it is not as obscene as in some countries

There's a lot wrong with the UK at the moment but those things are all to its credit.

Weather I couldn't really get upset about one way or the other. People are always banging on about wanting to move somewhere for the weather but that seems bizarre to me. If you live in a shit-hole and the sun is shining it's just a warm, sunny shit-hole.

Once you have lived in corrupt countries where you can be scooped up by the police at any time on someone's whim then you realise how good it is to live in the UK.

Not sure whereabouts you are but I’m in London and it has loads going for it, lots of nationalities, art, parks, good schools, theatre, sports, food, community, nice people on the whole

Probably more