Badly dressed and over weight English people

[Claustrophobiclown]

My sister, who has lived in Australia for years, was in England recently for an extended holiday. She was shocked at how many overweight, badly dressed and heavily tattooed people there were wandering around. I never really thought about it before, but looking at it afresh through her eyes I could see where she was coming from. I don't remember people looking like that when we were growing up, but we seem to have evolved into a race of very heavy and unhealthy looking people with absolutely no dress sense. Am I just misremembering my youth when I recall most people being a healthy weight and people generally dressing ok?

I didn't know this - that's surprising.

I have a SIL in Australia and she often sends photos of her and healthy looking tanned young friends on the beach, so that's what I'm basing it on - but of course that will be a specific group of people - I don't know much about the wider country.

obesity rankings - world wide - Aus 19th UK 29% - so I'm surprised she feels the UK is worse

29th

Sorry, I thought this was a roll call ... I was just reporting for duty! 😂

You and your sister sound like snobbish judgemental pricks to be honest.
(I am neither overweight, tattooed or poorly dressed for reference)
We are in a cost of living crisis, people are struggling and so for alot of people even primark is out of budget for new clothes, and healthy nutrious diets are obviously more expensive than filling cheap processed foods. I have noticed that poverty is way more noticeable (dirty hair, stained faded clothes with holes in etc) but that's understandable when alot of people are seriously struggling financially. Many people are just trying their best with the resources available to them.

me too

🍿

I doubt she saw that in Clevedon. It’s a very posh place.

I've visited numerous European cities and the attractiveness, style and apparent healthiness of the people you see puts the British to shame. It really is embarrassing sometimes. The stats on obesity, regular physical activity, alcohol consumption, etc all reflect badly on the UK too.

I've never been to Australia, I'm sure they have their problems, but on average they live three years longer than Brits, so in that respect they're healthier overall.

FFS 🙄

“Wandering around”? Aka just living their lives, going about their own business, not bothering anyone?

I live abroad and hadn't been to England for over a year when I visited last July. The huge number of tattoos really stood out. Weight and dress style not so much.

Ive lived in melbourne for 4 years and ive never seen people more casual and fat than there tbh. They go out to expensive restaurants/the casino etc. in flip flops and shorts! 😱🙈
Havent been in the UK in a while though.. not sure if its better or worse there.

Always nice for the home town to get a mention 😂

I think I'd rather be overweight tattooed and badly dressed than judgemental, pass-remarkable and unpleasant...

Location location location - oh and a bit of confirmation bias to boot. I don't think the beautiful surfers on Bondi beach are representative of Australia as a whole, as are the daytime drinkers in my local wetherspoons who start drinking at 10am on a Monday are here.

well I have but you asked why somebody had reported - well on MN you can't point out when you think someone is a troll you have to report it and people are entitled to report any post/thread they like - hope that answers the question.

Count me in! Only the one tattoo but I've got the rest covered.

@MaryMcCarthy are you comparing like for like in your observations though? Comparing chic young things in European cities with comparable areas of London or other wealthy UK cities?

You and your sister sound about 12.

Or what @Doingtheboxerbeat said

It's true - and of great concern - that two thirds of Brits are either overweight or obese. I think the same probably applies in Australia too, unfortunately. People in general are getting fatter and, as a result, less healthy than a generation ago.

Something needs to be done. Maybe restricting the purchase of UPFs in the same way that some over-the-counter drugs are restricted, would help. Anything to discourage people from eating the stuff too often. Perhaps a £25 tax on every takeaway meal might work?
The above suggestions are obviously not serious but we really do need to do something. I just can't think what.

Meh. People are getting fatter in most developed nations, and in many poorer countries too. Cheap, un-nutritious, processed calories are to blame. It needs government intervention, this isn't something that will go away on its own.

You both sound delightful

Your sister is pretty unobservant then as people are definitely fatter and more casually dressed in Australia. No idea re the tattoos but wouldn’t be surprised if they have more of those too.