Article about unhappy Britain
 

Check this out and read the comments from readers in this article. Is it really that bad or just usual moaning Brits?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...rvey-says.html

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

it's in the sun

the comments are by sun readers ,most of whom have probably never been further than thier nearest costa del sol irish bar away from the uk.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Also mentioned here

http://www.channel4.com/news/uk-is-w...live-in-europe

and here

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16078953

Doubt i would disagree with 'em either.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

A pinch of salt required here, I think.

After all, what was the 'sample size' for the survey, which decided Britain is such a crap place? I mean, out of all the 60 odd million people living there, how many of those remember being approached for their opinion?:unsure:

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Survey is carried out on an annual basis and the UK regularly does very badly in this and similar survey formats when looking at Europe and when compared with the world league of countries for quality of life. Last year it was bottom with Ireland in this one but this year Ireland has done better than the UK.:blink:

Also here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011...pe?INTCMP=SRCH

It appears that "broken Britain" is the #1 issue, followed by cost of living and then crime.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

The economy has caused a lot of fear concerning jobs, etc.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/j...day-leave.html

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Most of my friends are really positive about the UK and wouldn't live anywhere else, but I do know some of the negative nellies - including my own mother.

What strikes you when you talk to them is that they can't defend their perception with actual examples. Everything they say is stuff they read in the newspaper or TV. I have one friend on Facebook who intersperses her complaints about the country having gone to the dogs with news bulletins on her trips out, pub lunches, weekends away in Europe etc. etc. She seems to have a far higher quality of life than I do (aka she doesn't work 7 days a week!) and yet she moans incessantly.

It's in the national psyche. America has worse economic problems and a higher unemployment rate, but you would never find Americans bashing their own country the way Brits do.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Glad you didn't say Moaning Minnies. :rofl:

And yet there's a perception of British arrogance. :confused:

Funny old world. :unsure:

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

I love England & the English but let's face it - by and large we are a bunch of bloody moaners that like to look on the dark side of things.

Lets be honest if most nationalities won the lottery they'd be whooping it up like mad - we'd more than likely complain about how much we're getting taxed on it and how unfair it all is.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

I'm confused because it seems to me that the majority of the "results" of this poll are objective rather than subjective so it matters not a fig WHAT the negative UK pollster views are as the issues are, for example:

"Working hours, VAT, holidays, spending on health and education – and hours of sunshine."

"Cost of energy, petrol, food, alcohol, cigarettes, and life expectancy."

plus:

"We may still be enjoying the fourth highest household income in Europe, but the high cost of living means that we’re living to work."

This suggests that the average middle class and working class Brit is being taxed to the limit to pay for all of the ills of the broken society.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

We were chuckling about that daft survey yesterday, there are some really good comments under it.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

As of reading, 383 people liked one comment that how could it be that only 300,000 liked living in UK. So far as I'm aware 5% of 60,000,000 is 3,000,000. So much for the value of comments!

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Yeah I did notice that one was a bit off the mark.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

If they really want to know how well the UK is doing, they should interview people who have moved back and have lived many years in other countries for a really good comparison, what a bunch of whingers, they don't know what side their bread is buttered.
After visiting us for months at a time, and being here for everyday life, not going on lots of trips, my Mum now really appreciates life in the UK, she can't believe how badly people are treated here with work and health care (well she believes it now)

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

To me these surveys can serve only one purpose and that is to ensure that when we consider our return we do it with both eyes open and not because of cheer-leading into it. Those of us who thought that we wanted to return willy-nilly might reconsider when we have honestly thought through our reactions to the changes in the UK we have seen and witnessed first-hand since we left all those decades ago. We also need to consider what we are leaving behind. Facing this reality is painful, particularly if what we currently have doesn't look that great at first or even second glance.

For some, particularly those who miss family and friends, the motives for the return can be obvious but for others who might have alternatives such as moving closer or moving part-time, those alternatives might make better sense IF thorough research suggests it be so.

I know I'm personally very concerned about the UK's broken society and cost of living but then I was when I left for other than economic reasons in 1976 and much is much worse than it was then.

It's important to also remember that neither the UK or the US feature in the big-league of quality of life countries on this planet. BUT most of the big league are leaning towards the centre or left of centre. Let me explain that the previous LABOUR government was actually for the most part practising Thatcherism.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

I thought the survey was ridiculous, though.

We know what the weather is like and the UK is far less 'broken' than the US.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Yep but I edited my post after you quoted Sally, and so far as I'm aware the US doesn't rate on the global stage for quality of life either, presumably in no small part due to the healthcare and child poverty/hunger issues and leaving aside RACE (broken) and the misuse of the death penalty.

Last week's NYT, 20% of NYC population live in poverty.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

After 7 years in Canada I'd say that described Canadians more than Brits.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

There are some basic facts which do point to a less happy lifestyle in the U.K:

'The UK emerged as having the second lowest hours of sunshine a year, the fourth highest retirement age, and the third lowest spend on health as a percentage of GDP. Britons have 5.5 fewer days holiday a year than the European average and endure a below average government spend on education. UK households also struggle with a high cost of living, with food and diesel prices the highest in Europe, and unleaded petrol, alcohol and cigarettes all costing more than the European average.' :(

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

But they were only comparing to few select countries. As was pointed out, what about Finland or the Netherlands for climate?

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

That's right Sally. It's wonderful to be an American. We are, after all, the greatest nation on earth.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

I think that's a bit of a stretch, but whatever floats your boat.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

It's not that confusing. None of us live in Europe so we're not comparing to Europe. Of your list:

-

• working hours are a dream in the UK compared to where some of us live
• Over 4 weeks of holiday are mandated every year as opposed to zero days here in the US
• VAT is a little higher than our sales tax, but our property taxes and healthcare expense dwarf VAT
• For some of us, sunshine is vastly overrated. I envy Brits their generally mild climate.
• Cost of energy and food is less in the UK than here
• I have no idea about cigarettes but I think it's good if they're expensive
• Healthcare expenditure is less in the UK than in the US and life expectancy is higher.
• Petrol is very expensive in the UK, I'll give you that :lol:

For all these reasons, I think Brits are luckier than they know and only realize it when they leave.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Considered it. Found it not one bit painful. The only painful thing for me is waiting 18 months to leave.

I don't think those who see the UK in a more positive light than you are 'cheerleading.' I think we just have a different perspective on 'broken.'

Here in 'the greatest country in the world' there are vast tent cities filled with hardworking people who lost their homes through no fault of their own. Gangs in many cities make UK gangs look like rank amateurs. The meth problem makes binge drinking look quaint by comparison. Our government has been rendered completely dysfunctional by massive amounts of corporate money distorting the system. Less than 50% of the people even bother to vote and that's in a good year. There are almost 50 million people without any access to health care. On a regular basis, random people shoot complete strangers en masse. And all of this is totally ignored by the media. By contrast, every one of England's social problems is magnified ten-fold by their media despite their being in general much less serious.

I think today's Britain is far better than the one I left in 1985 - or maybe I've just seen enough of one alternative to gain a different view. Either way, I am going back with my eyes wide open, but truly thrilled at the chance to appreciate the good things this time.

Perhaps if you currently reside in a place with less social problems, and less poverty than the UK, and perhaps if sunshine is important to you, you should look at the countries that rate more highly on that highly selective survey. Each of us must do what makes us happy - but just because I want something different from you, that doesn't make me an unthinking cheerleader.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Britain has the highest Obesity rate in Europe. Do you think it is connected to the high rate of unhappiness as reported in the survey? Comfort food, perhaps?

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

So why are Australians fatter?....they are supposed to be happy:rofl::rofl:


....and Americans

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Yes a very good point, Aussies are right at the top with Americans so they must be REALLY unhappy :D These 'survey's' only serve one purpose and that is to make expats feel better about what they have done. Oddly enough many of the factors that apparently make the UK the worst place to live in Europe are exactly the same here or indeed worse, less holidays, more expensive food, high retirement age etc etc. The difference is the Brits almost want to feel downtrodden and badly off even if they aren't. Most of our British friends in England are doing fine and have good lives, maybe they are the 5% that are happy in the UK ? :rofl:

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

And add me to your friends 5%. :thumbsup:

There ARE really awful places here - I was in Wythenshawe town centre last week and when the doors of the lift opened I stepped into the alternate broken Britain that The Sun and The Daily Fail always bang on about. It was like a scene with Vicky Pollard in Little Britain and Shameless all rolled into one. :lol:

But I never felt intimidated in any way at all, just a bit shocked to be honest.

HOWEVER having said that, this is NOT the norm, that was the first time I had seen Broken Britain in over 6 months of living back here, I mainly go to the lovelier parts of this country. :thumbsup:

Oh and there are certainly places in Australia where I wouldn't visit either. :thumbdown:

BUT none of these people were homeless pushing trollies around with their belongings or living in cars or tents becase they have lost their homes as in the USA.

And BTW I have noticed that for the most part I haven't seen obesity like I did in Australia or when I have visited the USA.

The media in Australia and the USA are very good at banging their own drum and painting everything in a positive light.

The UK does the complete opposite and paints a very dark and dismal scene which doesn't resemble most people's experiences especially those of us who have lived elsewhere.

When I was planning to come back here, no way did I read surveys or polls or anything else of that nature.

It's all about how you feel about where you live, not other people's experiences.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Very good post and spot on, it is all about perception. As you say the media in Australia will tell us endlessly how Australia is the greatest place on Earth and the British media will tell us that society is broken, everyone fears for their job and no-one can afford to go on holiday or buy food. Both extremes are ridiculous but the citizens of each place seem to lap it up happily. When I was recently in the UK I saw no evidence of this Broken Britain some seem to belief exists, I saw some places I wouldn't want to live but equally a few days ago we were in Woodridge which is a few miles from us and I commented to my wife how it was like going to a different world.
People looking to leave the country will love these meaningless surveys as they give them further ammunition and reasons to leave.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

We were home for the summer and while there are some places that are less than salubrious, there are many, many more that are absolutely stunning.

Friends and family were tightening their belts with the cost of living rises but no-one was homeless, hungry, in need of healthcare that couldn't be accessed.

One family member has lost his job and is receiving benefits and all the help he needs in order to get back to work. Another family member is on maternity leave and receiving her statutory entitlements until she returns to work next year.

Hubby is on expensive medication which costs us a small fortune over here. Back home, he could receive it at minimal cost and free once he reaches sixty.

A local initiative designed to further green issues has a mini-bus that residents of the borough can access for local journeys to supermarkets and shopping centres at a minimal cost. And its used, particularly by young mums and pensioners.
People eat well, the standard and variety of food, clothing, household goods is just amazing.

Having lived and worked in five different countries over the last 15 years, I can honestly say with hand on heart that the UK is the best of the bunch.

Just wish we didn't have such a penchant for moaning though...

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

France is top, a fair indication of the credibility of that analysis ...

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

So more than one in ten want to leave the UK do they? Wonder if I can get in touch with some of them and offer to swap places? :)

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

I'm sure there are plenty who would like to swap with you, I can't tell you how many young people have told me I was "living the dream" in Sydney and I must be mad to want to come back and live in this dump!!

:unsure::ohmy::eek:

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

'this dump' meaning the UK?

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Yes this "dump" being the UK. ;)

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Much is down to the media. The UK has a negative press while in North America, the press portrays rainbows and lollipops. Or they are just brainwashed. Of course, everything depends on where you live and how much you earn. There are places such as Buffalo, New York that are equally as bad, if not worse, than the back streets of Blackburn. Other than that, having moved around various countries, I find that people will always try and justify why they live where they do. It is like all of this nonsense about the UK being overcrowded, try going to Norfolk or Herefordshire and you will find all of the space you need.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Interesting, I can remember a time when the USA was the place everyone wanted to get to. It looks like Obama has very little in his "out" tray.

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Indeed, you can add Syracuse and Rochester (where I live) to that list. You rarely see these kind of places on exported US TV. A lot of Brits think the states is all like NYC, LA and Florida. They don't know about the other bits.
When I was getting ready to leave the UK a work colleague kept banging on about me being able to bask in year round sun and walk among the palm trees. I was moving to upstate NY but he was talking as if it was Miami! Daft sod! :)

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Britain has seen a sharp increase in the number of people unable to afford to feed themselves at the most basic level, thanks to the worsening economic climate and changes to the benefit system, according to a survey by a leading food charity.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...-food-handouts

Re: Article about unhappy Britain
 

Strange how so many are obese if they are "unable to afford to feed themselves at the most basic level" isn't it:rolleyes:

You really ought to decide which way you want to knock Britain and stick to it....otherwise we will all get confused:confused: