People from other countries - they’re just better than us, aren’t they?

[PebbleDashedDoor]

I’m on holiday in the Balkans and like everytime I go overseas, it’s difficult not to conclude people from other countries are just better than us.

Immaculately kept, litter free, great service in bars and restaurants by experienced staff, polite well behaved kids eating out in restaurants, not a screen in sight. Everyone generally better looking, better dressed.

Or do I have rose tinted holiday goggles on?

Yeah, I bet the OP has never been to any banlieues...

My lovely friend is a wonderful driver, she only ever sees crashes in her rear view mirror.

I'm very serious. In my opinion, people are friendlier and nicer everywhere in Europe, outside the UK.

Yabu

If many people have the same opinion, its come from somewhere: reality.

Mm you and they are kind of wrong though. It’s a bit like the UK saying that about Londoners. Just a bit of a lazy uniformed statement tbh.

I think our leaders since Thatcher followed and copied the US business model too closely which has helped suck the soul out of the UK.

And being rude. (Well maybe the Parisians)

I remember 'tall poppy syndrome' being an Australianism, have we pinched it. Tsk.

I thought it was to do with a Roman Emperor

Indeed, it seems that many UK people are rude...to you.

Could be, I remember Aussie celebs complaining about it in the 80s, that Aussies didn't like you to 'get above yourself'.

I thought it was an interesting point, it's hard to stand out because it makes you the easiest target. Of course the internet has blown that right up.

I agree op. We’ve gone to shit and we’re not going to be able to fix it if we can’t admit it.

Speak for yourself - my uk family and acquaintances have not gone to shit.

I have lived abroad for 20 years and visited many countries in my life. I don't think UK standards of service are (in general) bad at all. People are friendlier and more speedy than in many places I have been. And for appearances it depends where you go. I love an Italian trouser - they seem to do them so very well, and if in Milan and Rome you are spoiled. Go to Calabria on the other hand and the passeggiata seems to involve double denim - you could be in Birmingham in the 90s.

Public drunkenness is not a regular thing in Spain and Italy and other European countries. I know the younger folk gather in bunches and go a bit mad outdoors there at night, but the brawling, rude, obnoxious behaviour I sometimes see here is not a regular thing. I suppose it does happen in certain cities etc. but it just doesn't seem to lead to mayhem except during fiestas, festivals and things like the bull running in Pamplona.

Oh, and someone said upthread "have you been to Brussels" What's the story there? I'm going to be there just for a day and night on my way to Ghent and Ypres soon. Should I worry? 😊

Which parts of the Balkans? Curious....
but yes, I can say that women generally are crazy to look and dress top notch....not sure why....may be compensating for rather unhappy historical background and considered coming from the European backwaters but now hopefully these stereotypes being slowly broken down

I live in Brussels. It's mostly quite civilised!

The Balkans. Didn't take much to get people killing each other 30(?) years ago. Looks good now though. Everywhere has the same issues but things like litter, that's down to people to dispose of it properly and services to empty bins etc.

It probably wouldn't take much to spark another war now to be fair.

I was in Seville last week though and a fair number or antisocial people and aggressive beggars. Anyone with a guitar can knock out half a tune and hassle a terrace for money. Some of them were truly awful.

That was me. It’s by far the rudest and edgiest place I’ve ever been and I have been to Birmingham. I was in Brussels a lot with work, it’s just really hostile. It was actually quite comical simply how bad it is. One night we took a wrong turn and decided to go into a bar on a quiet street, it was like a film where everyone stops taking and stares at you. We left after 5 minutes with as much bravado as we could, genuinely thought we were in physical danger… I’m talking middle aged men by the way in what looked like a family type place, not gangs of youths.
I think there’s some racial tension there to be honest, stick to the main areas and you’ll be fine.

Very aggressive beggars in Spain and Italy, less so in France

Mostly African but also Spanish and Italian. Giving it all the mother of God stuff etc

On public transport pretty intimidating too, we always travel by bus or metro

And there usually is some older bloke, always a bloke, who has had too much to drink who comes over to talk and is a pest

I grew up in a shit hole town in the north of France and there were plenty of badly dressed, overweight people who ate nothing but chips. Europe isn't all pavement cafes and Prada.

Glad to hear that. I suppose every big city has its ups and downs and areas to avoid. As the poster who warned us advised - the main areas are fine, but it can be edgy. I'd expect that in an unfamiliar city so I'll be sticking to the area around Grand Place, and I want to go see the EU Parliament (and weep 😊).