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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Strange comments about the U.K.

321 replies

Lessando · 02/08/2025 14:21

I often just read threads without posting. But I read one thread on here recently that made me think, and I wanted to start a new thread about it.

There was a thread on here a while ago, it was titled "Do you feel lucky in life".

About one hundred posters came on and wrote a similiar thing, they all wrote

"Oh yes I am so lucky to have been born in the U.K." and they wrote things like

"I won the lottery of life by being born in the UK"

I was surprised at the fawning over the top comments, because they are in stark contrast to how I have experienced living in other countries. Living conditions in many other countries seem to me to be a lot better than living conditions in the UK.

I have lived in other countries and right now I am living in the UK for a year . Don't get me wrong , there are things that are nice about the UK.

What I really wanted to discuss is why do some people in the UK seem to think it is the best country in the world.
But, if you go outside of the UK, a lot of media outlets talk about the UK in a very negative way. Do people know this happesn?

So many other countries are doing better economically than the UK is. Living conditions are better. The last EU country that i lived in, i barely saw a homeless person.

In my current city in the UK, homeless people come up to me and ask me for money all the time. Every single day.

I lived in an EU country last year. The media outside of the UK always reports negatively about the UK. They usually say that the UK is a very bad place to live, especially after Brexit.

Im not really saying if I personally think the UK is good or bad, obviously I am just one person.

I more wanted to discuss the discrepancy between many people in the UK thinking it is the best country in the world and they are lucky to live there, and the media outside the UK who report that the UK is a terrible place to live in.
Any thoughts on it?

OP posts:
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5
MonetsLilac · 02/08/2025 16:23

Lessando · 02/08/2025 14:44

International news media is a correct umbrella term to describe various international news outlets.

The reporting on the UK has definitely been very negative recently.

Show quote history

No. It's only an umbrella term if you acknowledge that these outlets are all different.

Cadenza12 · 02/08/2025 16:23

So people who live in the UK think that it's great and yet the foreign media says otherwise? What is more likely to be true? Surely the lived experience is the one to go by.

ShanghaiDiva · 02/08/2025 16:23

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:22

Where in the eu do you not find homeless people? Would love to know

Tsk tsk - op is answering questions in order and we are still waiting for that jewel of information. We must be patient!

Notanartist81 · 02/08/2025 16:24

This reply has been deleted

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

Rewis · 02/08/2025 16:24

I feel like brits constantly talk shit about the UK and actively apologise. Isn't it great that people feel proud? Very rarely average person saying it is actively hurting anyone.

Original poster
Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:24

ChocolateCinderToffee · 02/08/2025 15:06

I think a lot of people have never lived in a different country so they unable to make valid comparisons.

That is an issue with some people, yes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:26

GelatinousDynamo · 02/08/2025 15:12

Having grown up in the UK and then lived in different countries, I get your perspective OP, and I admit I've wondered about the British "We're the bestest xoxo" attitude as well before, especially as it's such a strong contrast to what's making headlines abroad when it comes to the UK.

Some international press (not serious outlets, but more like the local Daily Mail equivalents) tend to describe post-Brexit Britain as a dystopian hellhole with horrible salaries, crumbling services, non existent healthcare and where generally speaking literally everything is failing and falling apart and there's no point even living there. Which is obviously bs. Granted, the country isn't in its best state ever and the times of Cool Britannia are long gone, but neither is the rest of the West. Most of the critique against the UK could also be raised against other western countries.

On the other hand, those stories live on and are "clickable" because there is some truth to it: the UK today isn't necessarily a bad place to live, but the reason you see these articles in the media is that most people writing them belong to the generation that grew up during the 90s and early 00s, probably the most economically healthy and culturally influential the UK has been in the last 50 years. I could write an essay on this, but to cut a long story short, in 2010 the UK gov's fiscal policy shifted drastically from one of investment and wealth creation to austerity and spending cuts, and public services like the NHS, transport infrastructure and many others (dental services, care homes, the BBC) were slowly but surely eroded to the point where they ceased functioning effectively. Which is a stark contrast to the time before the rule of austerity. Don't even get me started on the NHS... If you've experienced healthcare in any other European country, you look back on it with horror.

In addition to this, while minimum wage and top end executive salaries have increased, there has been huge wage stagnation for middle earners in the last 15 or so years. For example, I graduated in 2007 and got a job. In 2023 that job was listed with the exact same salary. Obviously rents, utilities, food - everything else has inflated considerably except people's incomes. There's a general sense that the country is moving backwards, especially after Brexit.

Again, I know a lot of people who live in the UK and are happy and there is still opportunity. But there is a tangible feeling that the country is regressing and that every year the gap in prosperity between the UK and the rest of the anglosphere is widening, which feeds those stories in the media.

Bottom line, I think people are a bit unfair against the UK and I can sort of see why, I also get the gloomy sentiment because when you're constantly bombarded with negative news it's hard to stay positive. But to be honest with you, if I were a young professional and barring VISA issues, the UK would still be close to the top of my list because it's still such a fun place to be and there's still lots of growth opportunities if you know where to look IMHO.

That was a well written and interesting post. Thank you!

OP posts:
Bluebellwood129 · 02/08/2025 16:26

Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:24

That is an issue with some people, yes.

Show quote history

OP, there are many people on this thread with vast experience of living all over the world yet you're repeatedly shying away from engaging with them.

You're not able to construct a well thought out, credible argument supported by reasonable evidence. You're digging yourself deeper and deeper into a hole but you can't seem to understand this.

jbm16 · 02/08/2025 16:27

Lessando · 02/08/2025 14:30

I just think its strange how if you go outside of the UK , a lot of people say that the UK is an absolutely terrible place to live, and that they feel sorry for the people who live there.

But then you look at mumsnet, alot of people think that the UK is amazing.

It made me think, who is right.

Are UK people being brainwashed by UK media into thinking the UK is a better place to live in, than it is.

Or are other countries overly negative about the UK?

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Surely it's down to lived experience rather than opinion from other people that may or may not have lived in UK? UK has certain negativity across Europe due to Brexit.

Personally I have been lucky enough you grow up in the country on south coast, and then moved to the home counties and commuted for work, we brought our kids up in nice area, good schools with little crime, so have no complaints.

There are nice and bad parts in every city, country, having lived aboard for a year, and travelled extensively for work, I would suggest there are loads of far worse places to live than UK.

MonetsLilac · 02/08/2025 16:28

Bluebellwood129 · 02/08/2025 16:26

OP, there are many people on this thread with vast experience of living all over the world yet you're repeatedly shying away from engaging with them.

You're not able to construct a well thought out, credible argument supported by reasonable evidence. You're digging yourself deeper and deeper into a hole but you can't seem to understand this.

Show quote history

Yes, but don't forget "people generally" criticise the UK! 😂

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:28

I have seen many homeless in Spain and Italy. They are not given much comfort but live outside. Have you seen this?

Dearg · 02/08/2025 16:28

Huh, I have lived & worked in several countries in the world, and have not noticed that the perception of the UK is especially negative, other than other expats going thru the honeymoon phase.

Op, you remind me of a poster, a few months back, complaining that she found the English unfriendly; it seems her previous colleagues had greeted her with hugs, wined & dined her etc. That was her perception, she was entitled to it, but I am not sure it did her any favours making friends.

I have found that life in any country is generally a mix of good and bad. I just feel lucky that I have a passport which has facilitated me being able to live in so many other jurisdictions.

Theyreeatingthedogs · 02/08/2025 16:28

I've never come across anyone abroad that has been derogatory about the UK and I've travelled a fair bit. The UK sleazepapers like to slag of the UK as do opposition politicians. And that daft wee guy in the USA who has his tongue up the orange monster's backside - Shady Vance. Oh, and Nigel. How could I forget him?????

Bluebellwood129 · 02/08/2025 16:30

MonetsLilac · 02/08/2025 16:28

Yes, but don't forget "people generally" criticise the UK! 😂

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Throwing silly phrases out over and over again. You can tell it's school holiday time.

OooPourUsACupLove · 02/08/2025 16:31

Lessando · 02/08/2025 15:53

I came back.

There are about 60-70 posts asking me different questionS

The posters who want me to answer your question RIGHT NOW. Have patience. You are not the only person who asked me a question.

I am getting through the list of questions and i will get to your question at some point.

Show quote history

LOL. How hard is it to list a couple of countries from what you claim is your own experience of living in them? You can't have forgotten everywhere you have lived? Surely it took you longer to write that post that it would have taken to reply 😂

My industry is very global, I work with people from all over the world. It's really interesting to hear their perspective on the UK.

You know what they highlight as things we do well that we don't realise?

One is rule of law - by and large things are done legally here. Contracts are held to. Ironically, what attracts some frankly dodgy international people to London property is that while they are happy breaking laws to make money, they want somewhere laws are enforced to put it. (Not suggesting my colleagues are oligarchs! Just that coming outside they could see the pattern. )

Second is creativity/problem solving. They say it starts with how we are educated, less rote learning and more encouraging own thought, and they see it in our design and technology. We are not however very good in investing and scaling up.

Original poster
Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:32

AnneLovesGilbert · 02/08/2025 14:53

Are you planning to share specific criticisms of the U.K. from the international media or carry on being vague and non-specific?

The negative news articles that I remember seeing about the U.K. were that:

Brexit has made the U.K a worse place to live. That Brexit has caused worsening economic conditions in the UK,and it has also affected people's freedom of movement.

There were also negative news articles about :

  • The rising cost of living in the U.K.
- youth unemployment is rising in the UK.
  • Youth stabbings in the UK.
Etc

Those articles are all still online. Anyone can look them up

OP posts:
Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:33

Where are you from. You sound a bit vague tbh?

MonetsLilac · 02/08/2025 16:34

Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:32

The negative news articles that I remember seeing about the U.K. were that:

Brexit has made the U.K a worse place to live. That Brexit has caused worsening economic conditions in the UK,and it has also affected people's freedom of movement.

There were also negative news articles about :

  • The rising cost of living in the U.K.
- youth unemployment is rising in the UK.
  • Youth stabbings in the UK.
Etc

Those articles are all still online. Anyone can look them up

Edited
Show quote history

Right. I thought you may have been specific and provided links.
Remember that "international media" is only an umbrella term, and the differences are significant. I'm sure you've read Le Figaro and The Wall Street Journal, as well as the Times. Why do you think there's such an editorial difference if they are all "international media" (sic).

Notanartist81 · 02/08/2025 16:34

This reply has been deleted

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

Notanartist81 · 02/08/2025 16:35

This reply has been deleted

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

Original poster
Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:35

MonetsLilac · 02/08/2025 16:34

Right. I thought you may have been specific and provided links.
Remember that "international media" is only an umbrella term, and the differences are significant. I'm sure you've read Le Figaro and The Wall Street Journal, as well as the Times. Why do you think there's such an editorial difference if they are all "international media" (sic).

Show quote history

They are all there online for everyone to see.

Are you not able to look up a link yourself?

Why is that?

OP posts:
x2boys · 02/08/2025 16:35

Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:32

The negative news articles that I remember seeing about the U.K. were that:

Brexit has made the U.K a worse place to live. That Brexit has caused worsening economic conditions in the UK,and it has also affected people's freedom of movement.

There were also negative news articles about :

  • The rising cost of living in the U.K.
- youth unemployment is rising in the UK.
  • Youth stabbings in the UK.
Etc

Those articles are all still online. Anyone can look them up

Edited
Show quote history

Apart from Brexit everything else isn't unique to the UK

Notanartist81 · 02/08/2025 16:35

This reply has been deleted

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

Original poster
Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:36

This reply has been deleted

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

There's loads online!

Im trying to get you to be adults, and you know, click on a link yourself.

Google "youth knife crime UK".

Click on a link yourself.

Done.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lessando · 02/08/2025 16:39

Bluebellwood129 · 02/08/2025 16:26

OP, there are many people on this thread with vast experience of living all over the world yet you're repeatedly shying away from engaging with them.

You're not able to construct a well thought out, credible argument supported by reasonable evidence. You're digging yourself deeper and deeper into a hole but you can't seem to understand this.

Show quote history

"Shying away from engaging with them". Thw people on hete

Ive replied to ten posts non stop in the last ten minutes.

There are about one hundred posts on here.

Are you realistic with how time works?

Go and try reply to one hundred posts in ten minutes, and let me know if you can do it.

OP posts: