cricket1again

I wonder if it does depend on where you are and who you mix with? I'm on the Gold Coast, my son is a real estate agent. Last week he sold a property within an hour and now his biggest problem is that he can't get enough properties under the $500,000 price range. These are the ones that are being snapped up. Two houses in my street sold within days so property is still moving. The local newspaper is full of jobs.
The mood here is generally cheerful and upbeat although jobs in certain industries have been lost. Unemployment is currently at 5.5% so not too bad. Many of those who have lost jobs are unskilled or have limited skills so it may be difficult to obtain work in another field unless they retrain.
Like you, I'm optimistic and my friends here in Oz are too. But in the UK, it's a different story altogether. It's like worlds apart.
My daughter lives in the UK and is equally depressing to talk to. Is it really that bad or do they just think it is?

macadian

"Maybe I was just lucky to meet people and have friends who have that outlook on life" - Perhaps you were...

My trips took me from one end of the country to the other. As for London, my son works in the financial sector there and has one eye looking over his shoulder. Many of his friends etc have lost their jobs too. His wife is also concerned re her job as are many others. Pessimism is certainly abroad in big whacks at the moment. Having said that, they don't walk about in 'sack cloth & ashes' either and get on with it....perhaps that is what you are alluding too? However, that does not change the reality of life at this time for probably the majority of people- other than those who's personal circumstances allow them to feel secure for their future and that of their families....and to suggest otherwise is fatuous to say the least.

Back to UK

Not too sure what you are implying by that statement as far as the social group I am in connection with.

Many of my friends work within the Arts. They are in no way well off, but they are all of the opinion that "this too will end "

As always all over the world the media is making life seem so much worse than it is. Britain is suffering and of course people have concerned for their future - but does that stop them enjoying life - ab not !

I only know one person in the UK, who is finding it really tough, he is a wide-boy city lad. He has seen his salary drop by a huge %. His salary is still more than most people I know, but as he has had to adapt his lifestyle to a more modest one, he is feeling very hard done by !

Jules Europe

So no more prawn and champagne lunches for him then eh!

JCSUPERMOTO

Theres doom and gloom all the world over,and uk is in one at the moment!
Like peeps have said,in some sectors,things aint changedbut in others we have been hit hard!!

Alot of my builder buddies have had very baron spells,but then again some havent!

The rich stay rich and the poor just get poorer!!!

But the weather in the uk wont be any different from 5 years ago

Back to UK

Saly not , at least for the foreseeable future, Cockles and bread !

Jules Europe

Cockles!!! whats cockles?

M1KTA

Wet (if not snowing then no salt for the roads!)

Finance and Jobs are big news and bit mixed government seems to be bailing out companies as well as banks now
Mortgage rates lowest for years.
Savings rates at 0% for the most part.
0.5% interest rate officially but more like 5% if you actually need a mortgage.
London commuter trains full of seriously sad grumpy faces
VAT currently down to 15% but for how long?
New cars seem to be getting cheaper, petrol back to <£1 litre
Houses seem to be on market for ages and most not selling
Many seem scared of loosing their jobs especially if got a mortgage and/or kids

Dom

Back to UK

Interesting what you say regarding Houses, as apparently both the main industry regulating bodies for sales in both the UK and Canada, have said that February showed an increase in sales.

Also HSBC has announced 15 Billion pounds is to be released to ease mortgage crisis.

Out of interest where r u based?

macadian

I was not implying anything at all, simply accepting that the 'Social Group' of whom you spoke were perhaps better fixed than the majority of people I had come in contact with. The people of whom I speak are those with jobs, mortgages & young families and having real concerns for the immediate future. Yes, it will all end at some point, it's the interim that people have concerns of and how they will be fixed when matters do start to improve at a later time....

Back to UK

Not sure if you are aware but arts workers and actors are generally some of the worst paid people. Unless u r a top name. Some survive on £330 per week or less. Many of them are not working. Most of them are liberal in their thinking and realise that yes times are hard but A) Life is a wonderful gift and will try to enjoy it to the full! B) Its bad in many countries and C) like many situations, the press have a tendency not to help in times of crisis.

macadian

I think a group of people whose circumstances are to a greater degree driven by choice rather than by necessity?

As for the sum you quote, it's not far removed from what I live on...but I don't choose to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I come back to the choice factor in their lifestyle...and the very best of luck to them too!

Elvira

I bet they are nowhere near as concerned as those who arein similar shoes in the US:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...s-problem.html

Last time I checked we did not have anything like this in the UK...

Back to UK

Sadly Actor and actresses need to base themselves where the work is. London mainly and to a lesser degree Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Dublin. This in not a choice factor for them !

macadian

Can't agree entirely...the choice factor (to be actors/actresses) is what drives them....and as I say, best of luck to them.