chris955

No definitely not miserable or certainly no moreso than other nationalities. There is a tendency to assume somwhere else in the world is better but that doesnt make them miserable at all. We dont come across anymore miserable people here than we did in Australia.

chris955

Exactly like Australia, they are so incredibly sensitive and precious about any real or perceived criticism. Of course they are free to criticise quite literally anything and everything about another country especially England. Here in England you can criticise something legitimate and not feel as though someone will get offended and tell you to bugger off back to where you came from

spouse of scouse

Oh - I dunno about that Chris. I think that someone originally from, say, a Eastern European country, would get an earful from some (but definitely not all) Brits if they complained about the UK. You might even be one of them.......

You're a bit of a conundrum to me. You make a lot of sense sometimes, and then you go and spoil it by making sweeping generalisations.

As I said before, I don't have a problem with people saying negative things about Australia, and I do my fair share of jumping up and down about issues. By the same token, there is much that I love about Australia.

I love Australia Day, and one of the reasons for that is that I always fly the Australian and Aboriginal flags on my car - for the first Australians and for those who came afterwards. Whilst I mostly get friendly toots and thumbs up from other motorists, I do occasionally get the one-fingered salute - which really makes my day

I will never, ever go down the 'my country is better than your country' path, it's utter bollocks.

London1947

Oh really !

London1947

I know the innuendoes about negativity is pointing at me Chris955. I get really sick and tired of your pompous attitude. You may well be set in your idyllic little bubble where all is find and dandy. Anytime you post is all rosey, and that's fine for you, but people considering moving back to the UK need to know the pitfalls that they may be walking into.. I am now 67 years old and yes I can be cynical, and I can be cynical because I can see both sides of the coin. I have dealt with many middle management in America that have your attitude. Just let people make up their own minds and let them form their own opinion as what to expect returning to the UK. Just to remind you that I had lived in the UK until the age of 36 then the next 30 years in the US, and so I have lived both worlds and i know what I'm talking about.

CalgaryPete

I am grateful that people are willing to post their experiences, whether positive or negative. If people are discouraged from posting negative opinions then we are not getting the whole range of views from people who are further ahead in their relocations. Being honest is not being negative.

Sally Redux

Yes really.

Cape Blue

I think you know that my mum could take yours on that front . I have my fortnightly call tomorrow, doubtless it will be a ray of sunshine as usual.

It's a shame really, I find so many Brits are so negative when, in reality, they are living in a land of milk and honey.

I might be moving back to the UK next year, I like the place and look forward to many parts of living back within my own culture, I don't look forward to the mediocre weather (compared to northern California) and negative attitudes though.

Sally Redux

Oh that would be a fun contest!

Some seem to have got rather dependent, 'they' are never doing enough for them (council, government, doctor, BBC or candlestick maker).

How interesting that you are thinking of moving back! Look forward to hearing about it.

Cape Blue

I wonder if that's something you notice more after living in a place where the culture is more focused on self-reliance? (I agree by the way).

Sally Redux

Oh, absolutely.

London1947

Hi Cape Blue,
Of course this a land of milk and honey !! The only people that have the milk and honey as you put it are those people that PLAY the benefit's system. This has become a blight on this country. People that are working are paying taxes on their earnings and being given to those people that have no intention of finding work at all. Here is something that is very prevalent here. A young girl let's say between 14-16 year's old and wants to get out of their parent's house is to become pregnant, to which she will be entitled to the full benefit system. She will get free housing provided, she will get free rent, she will get her council tax paid, she will get unemployment paid, she will get child benefit, in fact every benefit paid.... She will get more money than a hard working couple. The Father of the child is more than likely out of the picture as he is either still at school or on benefit's himself.

Yes it is a land of milk and honey, but not for the working tax payer's.
So how about that for a negative attitude.

SDDep

If that was your daughter, would you rather see her out on the street? Then both the young parent and her child would have even less chance of ever contributing anything. Not that I agree with a free ride, but it is the nature of the system and at least there is a safety net. You don't actually think that 14-16 year old girls get pregnant for these reasons do you..

There is something to be said for a decent welfare system, the same one that would look after any of us if we found ourselves in dire straights I would imagine.

I say this having worked and paid taxes in two countries for 24 years. Civilized societies provide for the less fortunate, however they found themselves there.

Cape Blue

You need to get over it mate, she left, it's difficult/depressing/lonely, it happens to many of us. Don't let it drag you down into a morass of negativity and Daily Mail bile.

Jerseygirl

That's not new. When my daughter was born 29 years ago...the girl in the next bed was 16. She had been in the maternity ward for several months because she had nowhere to go. Boy did this girl know how to work the system. Once a week social services took her to see several council homes...but she turned them all down. She wouldn't accept vouchers etc for furniture...she wanted money. Until they agreed to give her money she had no intention of leaving hospital. During the 5 days I was in hospital...I never once saw her hold or feed her baby...she spent all her time in the smoking room leaving the nurses to look after her son.

I often wonder how that poor little boy turned out.