Atlantic Xpat

I think this thread would be immeasurably improved by a reference to, or homily from, your nan.

R I C H

It would make sense if I cared.

As Miss Clinique said, if the The Bear doesn't want comment on his opinions, why post them online? He's apparently a very sensitive bear.

ExKiwilass

Go Oink

As an outsider looking in it seems it suits people at a certain class level to keep the rest ignorant and uneducated. It's interesting reading some of the comments to the link posted about social inequality - a lot of rationalizing going on there. I wonder why? Is it so labour is cheaper? Or because there aren't enough 'good' jobs to go around - a way of keeping competition for those jobs low and making sure a certain group gets them?

Oink

My favourite term to describe the different "structures" of state post-primary education in the UK was that they were striving for "parity of esteem." A charming notion lifted almost directly from the US odious doctrine of legal racial segregated "separate but equal" schools.

el_richo

It's not the country, it's you.

Geordie Lass

britsnake

My friends also have lovely houses and a high standard of living.

But my friends do not judge a country on how the richest live. It is easy to "fiddle while Rome burns".

My friends in the UK have more of a social conscience. They have their wide eyes open.

I spent years in the UK trying to make things better. I have been involved in Large urban regeneration projects, I was chair of a Sure Start children's centre, I was the trustee of a homeless shelter and worked with many disadvantaged people and groups.

There are many who hide themselves in the alternate universe you talk of, but most of us have to live in the real world.

Oink

I meant richness as in fulfilment and harmony of existence rather than some pecuniary self-interest. And to quote someone from the telly, "a social conscience is like a garden shed. If you try to eat it, it will stick in your throat!"

YYZlover

Really? Is it my fault that in UK I was treated as my business partner's secretary while I was the Managing Director? It couldn't possibly be the male chauvinistic attitude that is permeating the country, could it?

Is it also my fault that in my chosen profession, most women are ignored and not taken seriously? And sorry to say, it is like that all over Europe. While in North America (not just Canada), I see more women in power being respected and women in my industry being accepted, respected and promoted than anywhere in Europe.

Almost Canadian

He sounds like a dick, but you were the one putting up with it.

What is your chosen profession? I have never encountered women being ignored and not taken seriously in any working situation I have ever been in, particularly in England.

Could you explain to me that lack of females in the top job of the land in the US as, as you appear to believe, they are treated so much better in North America? I doubt very much that one could, credibly, call Kim Campbell a relevant Prime Minister!

britsnake

But having a social conscience is not about what you can eat.

I can happily say that thanks to the breakfast clubs we funded there were many kids who got to eat at least one meal a day.

Thanks to the homeless shelter we ran, there were many people who received decent medical treatment and a roof over their heads and a second chance.

Thanks to the regeneration projects there were many who gained decent housing, training and employment opportunities.

I believe that if more peoplehad a social conscience it would be better for all of us.

el_richo

It is your fault that you allowed your partner to take advantage.

I don't know any other female professional in your situation or who has had your experiences above.

Funnily, my wife was talking about the differences she's experienced since being back in Canada. She says the male chauvinistic attitude where she works now is much more prevalent than previously in the UK (she works for the same company). Her earnings are on par with male colleagues, she's very respected (some would say feared), and she has been fast tracked up the "ladder" to the probable dismay of her chauvinistic male colleagues.

She had the same experience in the UK other than the chauvinism.

So as i said, it's you, not the country

ireland2canada

I would suggest that you actually live in Canada for a while, then re-assess these comments.

Chauvanism is alive and well here, it exists just the same as all ugly attitudes exist. If you disagree with it, then don't accept it, don't give them an inch. I've lived in the UK, and I live in Canada, people can be shit everywhere.

I fail to see how anyone can generalise the entire continents of North America and Europe, but I bow to your knowledge of your own industry.

Tangram

I refer YYZ to my previous post. Generalising with a big "G".

YYZlover

Sorry, it wasn't my partner doing it. It was the men we went to for business meetings. My partner tried to include me a much as he possibly could. In the end I got so fed up with it that I didn't want to go to them.

Entertainment industry (take a pick).

Yes, I know, casting couch in Hollywood, the objectification of women in movies and even female musicians showing skin to sell albums, etc. It's not helping, but strangely there are more women climbing the corporate ladder in North America within that industry than here. At least that's how it is coming across to me.

The swedish film board hands out grants to directors each year. They are supposed to give 40% of the grants to female directors. Out of 16 directors given grants, 2 were women. The film board's reason is that female directors have it more difficult to find investments from the private sector such as venture capitalists and angels. Now, why would the VCs and Angels put money on the table if the film board won't? Get the same script with a male director and the money is there.