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Originally Posted by Damien
I think we are a country which has a very cynically population. I believe we have a tendency to express the same attitudes as me283 here. I also believe that they are unjustified but the fact that we are like this is a sign of how tolerant we are.
Other countries do not seem to take negative news as much as us. All countries have problems but over here they are more talked about. I dont know what country your talking about but i am sure they have problems.
A fear of upsetting people is not a bad thing. I would not like to live in a country where people are free to upset minorities with unjust cause. I think that in itself is a sign of an increasing fear and hatred sweeping the nation. Its important not to take notice of all these political correctness stories as it can make you mad often without good cause. This kind of suppressed anger and hatred will blow up one day if we are not careful. I do sense a feeling of fear and anger between minorities and the majority brewing under the radar.
I think we have a free media, a system to help those in need, the willingness to take in people from other places to let them start a new life. I think we have a shameful history but also a good policy towards helping others. Finally, I think we have a angry and scared population who are worried about the unknown in the future
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Well, in the past I've been lucky enough to see a lot of countries: to name a few, South Africa (beautiful, but fragil, volatile, and in need of... somthing!), USA (wonderful in many ways, sickly in others), Hong Kong (never goes to sleep), and most of Europe. Recently I have been in France, Greece, Poland. I love France, and will defend the people as much as I can; those that say the French are unfriendly are usually those whose experience of the country stops at Calais. Greece is great for a holiday. Poland I love, for many reasons.
But I am under no illusions that visiting is not the same as living somewhere, or being brought up somewhere. For a start, I cannot compare education in these countries, but I can see how well-educated the people are (or aren't). On the other hand, I can guage, for example, the atmosphere in a busy town centre on a Saturday night at about midnight. I can compare the road system and the price of a pint of beer, as well as the level of service you get in shops. These things would be no different if I were there for an hour or a year.
Tolerance is an interesting point though. IMO we as a nation tend to be far too tolerant. And this could be linked to the fear of upsetting people in many cases. An example quoted earlier in another thread was to do with jokes about Richard Whiteley - someone found them offensive when in fact it was pointed out that the great man himself would have found them highly amusing! We worry about showing our national flag, in case it smacks of patriotism and offends someone; we have schools that prevent children from competing in sports because it will upset the losers (that will
really prepare them for real life
), and we tend to be more concerned with reactions and feelings of minorities than majorities.
Yes, there are good things in this country, may they really do seem to be paling in comparison to the bad things which are coming to the fore.