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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so frustrated with this country’s public?

63 replies

Hotcrossbunnyy · 30/03/2023 12:48

You see protests on the news, France having 2023 revolution, the protests in Istanbul a few years ago, Spain, Iran, state of emergency in Lima.

But the British public is the epitome of the by stander effect. No one doing anything because no one else is.
We should be on our streets but yet we’re all just struggling along with the state of our country.

AIBU to find it so frustrating we don’t fight back?
Im sitting here watching France protest on the news while I sit here with an empty stomach, 3p in the bank, been told 6 years waiting list to be assessed for my health issues and I’m going to work soon and it feels like it’s for nothing yet We don’t do anything collectively

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 30/03/2023 12:51

But the British public is the epitome of the by stander effect. No one doing anything because no one else is.

You don't understand what the bystander effect is. And it's a myth anyway.

Are you not a member of "this country's public"? Why aren't you rioting instead of telling us of for not doing so?

Hotcrossbunnyy · 30/03/2023 12:54

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sorrynotathome · 30/03/2023 12:56

Perfectly reasonable response, I think.

MarshaBradyo · 30/03/2023 12:57

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It’s a legitimate question. If you are moved to post on mn why not moved to riot instead?

If you answer that it’ll probably tell you what you want to know

Newnamenewname109870 · 30/03/2023 12:57

But you have your answer. The reason you’re not is the reason many are not. Why expect anyone else?

sashagabadon · 30/03/2023 12:58

What job do you do? Could you get together with work colleagues if you feel you are not paid enough? That will help you financially.

Moonmelodies · 30/03/2023 12:59

Perhaps the British have a greater respect for the democratic process and the rule of law.

usernother · 30/03/2023 12:59

Has it occurred to you that it's perhaps because people don't want to? Just because you're unhappy doesn't mean everyone is.

CalistoNoSolo · 30/03/2023 13:00

Actually, there are demos, marches and protests all the time in the UK but we don't hear about them because the MSM doesn't cover them.

Sistanotcista · 30/03/2023 13:02

I'm more a fan of reasoned discourse than demonstrations, which all too often are infiltrated by criminal elements that aim to turn them into riots, which cause criminal damage, mostly to individual shop owners etc who have nothing whatsoever to do with the original problem, and now end up losing their livelihoods because of a rabid mob. I'm not at all saying that people shouldn't have the right to demonstrate - I fully support their right to do so - simply answering OP's question about why I'm not starting a demonstration. Oh, and....school run, work, etc get in the way of a day off on the streets. But crack on if you have the time and energy.

Sistanotcista · 30/03/2023 13:04

@Hotcrossbunnyy - but I am sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand your frustration given the situation.

Anotherspacecowboy · 30/03/2023 13:05

You crack on and riot if you want to. Maybe others will join in.

Mostar · 30/03/2023 13:08

What gets me is that with social media and everything, there's more exposure than ever before on corruption, cronyism and underhand dealings, yet those in high office carry on regardless. By rights, we should be chasing them out with pitchforks and flaming torches. There was a time when MPs were forced to resign if they neglected to tip their hat to a lady, now you can get away with pretty much anything, up to, and including, giving the King a wedgie. So yes, we should be rising up in righteous anger a bit more often.

TomatoFrog · 30/03/2023 13:10

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

notimagain · 30/03/2023 13:12

Moonmelodies · 30/03/2023 12:59

Perhaps the British have a greater respect for the democratic process and the rule of law.

FWIW one of the main reasons for the unrest in France is that appears that the President didn't have much "respect for the democratic process"..

https://www.thelocal.fr/20200302/why-have-the-french-government-used-article-493-and-does-it-mean-more-strikes

Freespiritwannabe · 30/03/2023 13:15

This is the weirdest post I've seen for a while.

You have 3p in the bank and I'm supposed to riot for you?? 😂

sst1234 · 30/03/2023 13:15

The French are protesting because they don’t want to raise the pension age. And would rather go bankrupt like Greece did. Not exactly smart. We actually need leaders like Macron that will make the tough decisions, rather than the morons we have in charge at the moment.

ladykale · 30/03/2023 13:15

CalistoNoSolo · 30/03/2023 13:00

Actually, there are demos, marches and protests all the time in the UK but we don't hear about them because the MSM doesn't cover them.

This!

Tons or marches and demos happen

If you spend a lot of time or work in central london you see loads on a whole range of topics

billyt · 30/03/2023 13:18

Yep, just what we needs.

Morons rioting in the streets, burning buildings and Police cars.

FFS

Freespiritwannabe · 30/03/2023 13:20

I did see a riot once in London. And the chap on the front of the MSM papers was just a web designer with a balaclava posing for pics.

He had the best time 😂 he just got involved because it was fun

Snorlaxing · 30/03/2023 13:20

There are demos etc - Black Lives Matter, Extinction Rebellion etc but people who protest are perceived as conspiracy theorists (eg Piers Corbyn), hooligans, workshy, vandals etc.

People aren't protesting CoL because not everyone is in the same boat. The people affected the most are at work or too hungry and cold to protest. Being arrested isn't going to pay the bills, especially if they lose their jobs.

IrishGothic · 30/03/2023 13:22

I don't think you're a nation of 'bystanders' -- it's far worse. You keep voting in Tory governments and you apparently appear to continue to broadly support the ridiculous anachronism that is the royal family. I would say you were colluding in your own oppression.

CovertImage · 30/03/2023 13:25

LordEmsworth · 30/03/2023 12:51

But the British public is the epitome of the by stander effect. No one doing anything because no one else is.

You don't understand what the bystander effect is. And it's a myth anyway.

Are you not a member of "this country's public"? Why aren't you rioting instead of telling us of for not doing so?

Also agree

Thisisabsolutelyfine · 30/03/2023 13:25

IrishGothic · 30/03/2023 13:22

I don't think you're a nation of 'bystanders' -- it's far worse. You keep voting in Tory governments and you apparently appear to continue to broadly support the ridiculous anachronism that is the royal family. I would say you were colluding in your own oppression.

Indeed.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 30/03/2023 13:27

IrishGothic · 30/03/2023 13:22

I don't think you're a nation of 'bystanders' -- it's far worse. You keep voting in Tory governments and you apparently appear to continue to broadly support the ridiculous anachronism that is the royal family. I would say you were colluding in your own oppression.

Quite.

Millions upon millions of people voted for the Tories who ran on an austerity manifesto. Millions upon millions of people voted for Brexit because they wanted to be free from the 'shackles' (for which, substitute workers' rights and socking great grants) of Europe.

Riots don't solve anything; votes do.

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