I am not interested in politics ...

Callistemon21

^But who’s denying it?^

No-one is denying it, are they.

I think it is appalling that the homesickness and dilemma of another OP is being used to attack other posters.

It really is disgraceful.

I agree Calli. To use another’s misfortune is bad enough to use as back up in an attempt to win an argument but to further imply ‘income’, that is someone’s private business and appalling behaviour.

I feel it would be distasteful to continue to allow this poster’s misfortune to be used further by the op. For that reason, I’m out.

Shouting doesn’t get my attention FluerP, a default used by those who know they are losing the plot and the argument. For sure.

Why do you have to keep on repeating your mantra as if only you knows about the effects politics has on different aspects of our lives?

We know very well because we live in the UK, unlike the OP of this thread who watches from afar.
A different perspective but not a lived experience.

But who’s denying it?

No-one is denying it, are they.

I think it is appalling that the homesickness and dilemma of another OP is being used to attack other posters.

It really is disgraceful.

But who’s denying it?
You keep repeating your mantra as if no one else is interested in politics. They and I may certainly not be interested in discussing it with you, but where are all the posters repeatedly denying that it affects them?

Why do you have to keep on repeating your mantra as if only you knows about the effects politics has on different aspects of our lives?
What stops you understanding that there is a difference between I don’t want to discuss politics and I’m not interested in politics ?

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/exodus-gps-leaves-thousands-poorly-28347281

nothing to do with politics, at all. Just happened hey!

Yes, even potholes, pensions, exchange rates, NHS, sewerage, vaccinations, education for your Gcs, waiting lists, GP appointments, energy, train times and prices, on and on- the full list I gave in OP, and so much more.

I am not asking for anyone to discuss the political side. But denial of how it affects all of them, just does not make sense, to me.

Callistemon21

^Casdon, sadly what has happened in recent years, that have affected people hugely and directly, have created confrontation and division. That is sadly a fact. The last 12 years, and those from 2015 onwards, have done massive damage. Sad indeed^

12 years?

Is that when you left the UK, Fleurpepper?
Or when Gransnet started?
What is the relevance please?

12 years of this Government- I thought it was obvious.

And not, it was about someone who was not returning to the UK, but had returned, and was considering going back. And the changes due to Brexit were 100% relevant (until OP said her OH had EU passport- but even so, not necessarily able to return with UK spouse without many conditions re income, etc.).

Mollygro- I am not talking about people who do not wish to discuss politics, here or anywhere. But people who deny that so many problems and issues, personal, social, cultural, environmental, financial, health, and so much more- are also affected by politics.

Callistemon21

I've seen the light, I've seen the light

I wish I had, I’ve lost the plot altogether!

I've seen the light, I've seen the light

FleurPepper
Some people do want to avoid the truth including you and your refusal to understand that not wanting to discuss politics is not the same as not being interested in politics.
I don’t get your denial about this. It helps no-one.

Casdon, sadly what has happened in recent years, that have affected people hugely and directly, have created confrontation and division. That is sadly a fact. The last 12 years, and those from 2015 onwards, have done massive damage. Sad indeed

12 years?

Is that when you left the UK, Fleurpepper?
Or when Gransnet started?
What is the relevance please?

Kalu, it was NOT about someone coming back to UK

If you mean the other thread that you keep referring to, then yes, that is exactly what it was.

A poster who had returned after many years of living in various countries in Europe and was finding it difficult to settle here in the UK.
The fact that the UK is in rather a state of flux politically just now was remarked on as an incidental.

In fact, I feel very sorry for the OP of that thread as I think her thread is being used to justify an attack on other posters, mainly women.

Kalu, it was NOT about someone coming back to UK.

And as you clearly understand the changes due to Brexit, then you will know that it was fully relevant to the case, for the vast majority in the UK (OP clairified afterwards that it did not apply to them).

This thread was not about this post, or this poster- but about the general idea that 'politics' are not relevant to so so many topics which affect us daily.

Let's use a simpler example. If someone twists their anckle due to a pothole. Treatment, sympathy, care, kindness, support.

And then the next stage- why was that polehole there when it has been reported again and again to the Council? Ask on social media, the local Press, but also your MP and local Council. So the pothole is repaired, and no-one breaks their ankle next time.

What a wonderful day it has been. But again, some of your reactions have done the job perfectly. Some people do want to avoid the truth that so many issues do have a direct political element, here or out there. I don't get this kind of denial- it helps no-one.

Casdon, sadly what has happened in recent years, that have affected people hugely and directly, have created confrontation and division. That is sadly a fact. The last 12 years, and those from 2015 onwards, have done massive damage. Sad indeed.

Dickens

Shinamae

Kamiso

Aveline

I am not interested in being preached to about what I should or should not care about.

I feel exactly the same. Having someone else’s extreme views rammed down my throat is way beyond tedious to the extent of bullying.

I hardly bother with GN any more because of it. That’s sad because in the past we helped and supported each other through all kinds of sadness and difficulties.

We respected that our life experiences tended to mean we reached different conclusions but respected and tolerated each other.

The only positive aspect to this is the fact that the electorate hate to be bullied and treated like morons and it’s what cost the left wing elections.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The only positive aspect to this is the fact that the electorate hate to be bullied and treated like morons and it’s what cost the left wing elections.

... that's a 'political' statement if ever there was one! Which I'm going to totally not comment on, but I do disagree with this:

I hardly bother with GN any more because of it. That’s sad because in the past we helped and supported each other through all kinds of sadness and difficulties.

... in that I think there is a lot of support and help on various threads, especially those where posters are upset about their neighbours' behaviour or the way they are being treated by relatives. I've been warmed by the way posters join in and offer their sympathy even if they can't give practical advice on the "Chat" and "AIBU" forums, mostly. Of course, there's always the odd one or two who are sometimes a bit 'snarky' when they tell you that they in fact think YABU but they are the minority. Most are really kind and sensitive.

Has GN really changed that much? You obviously think it has, but I'm not sure. However I'm not one of the early members so maybe I don't really know enough to realistically say one way or the other. However, if I had a problem that was really worrying me, I wouldn't be afraid to ask for help, and advice - and opinion - here on GN. I have huge respect for posters on here, even those with whom I disagree politically, they were very kind and offered comforting words about a year ago when I mentioned a particular dilemma I was faced with.

I agree with what you’ve said Dickens, there’s a huge amount of kindness and support still. I do think there’s a bit of a golden glow of the past memory about Gransnet’s early days though, I’ve looked at some early politics threads and they were no less confrontational in tone then than they are now. Maybe politics didn’t infiltrate into chat threads then though, I don’t know.

Hear, hear Kamiso

Fleurpepper

Kalu, it is incredibly rude to say such things, when you clearly have not a clue about what was being discussed.

'Tell me how that is helpful to someone moving back to the UK? '

no it was not about this at all- and the political aspect, eg changes due to Brexit, about a possible change of mind, were 100% relevant and directly linked (until the poster clarified that those restrictions did not apply due to EU passport. It would apply to all UK people without one of the above, eg 99.999%).

As English is my first language, not difficult for me to follow the thread ergo, your nasty jibe that I am unable to follow what is being discussed on a thread is uncalled for. Incredibly insulting too as you appear to think many of us need to be educated, by you, regarding what changes have come about due to brexit for those of us who actually live in the UK.

Well, puzzled as a new person on GN as to over whelming politics. It has everything!

Farzanah

^Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you^. Pericles

Oh my goodness! My dear father, who died when I was just 20, wrote that to me in his only personal disclosure even, a letter to me at college.

I have lived it ever since.

I have mellowed in one way, I never force a conversation, cui bono? tho been known to say, but what about your dear grandma and hospital etc, decisions get made at political level, but frankly, after the lack of integrity in recent times politicians wise can hardly blame people

but have word with some young people who say what the point. and I tell them the story of the young gym cafe worker who, after Brexit was voted on, the morning after (she was very keen on everything European, travel, possible jobs, friends abroad) said to me " I cant understand why it happened, I didn't bother".

there is another side. I'm rather a depressive, but understanding of and interest in, expect when its too much, society at large has been a major positive factor in my life, for we live together as a society, we stand or fall together, not individuals.

But some people are brought up with no awareness of that whatsoever.

Shinamae

Kamiso

Aveline

I am not interested in being preached to about what I should or should not care about.

I feel exactly the same. Having someone else’s extreme views rammed down my throat is way beyond tedious to the extent of bullying.

I hardly bother with GN any more because of it. That’s sad because in the past we helped and supported each other through all kinds of sadness and difficulties.

We respected that our life experiences tended to mean we reached different conclusions but respected and tolerated each other.

The only positive aspect to this is the fact that the electorate hate to be bullied and treated like morons and it’s what cost the left wing elections.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The only positive aspect to this is the fact that the electorate hate to be bullied and treated like morons and it’s what cost the left wing elections.

... that's a 'political' statement if ever there was one! Which I'm going to totally not comment on, but I do disagree with this:

I hardly bother with GN any more because of it. That’s sad because in the past we helped and supported each other through all kinds of sadness and difficulties.

... in that I think there is a lot of support and help on various threads, especially those where posters are upset about their neighbours' behaviour or the way they are being treated by relatives. I've been warmed by the way posters join in and offer their sympathy even if they can't give practical advice on the "Chat" and "AIBU" forums, mostly. Of course, there's always the odd one or two who are sometimes a bit 'snarky' when they tell you that they in fact think YABU but they are the minority. Most are really kind and sensitive.

Has GN really changed that much? You obviously think it has, but I'm not sure. However I'm not one of the early members so maybe I don't really know enough to realistically say one way or the other. However, if I had a problem that was really worrying me, I wouldn't be afraid to ask for help, and advice - and opinion - here on GN. I have huge respect for posters on here, even those with whom I disagree politically, they were very kind and offered comforting words about a year ago when I mentioned a particular dilemma I was faced with.

Fleurpepper

Your comment is quite fascinating. Like another poster, who does the same thing, your comment is so applicable to your own attitude and posts.

You and a few others are on the war path again- distorting and attacking,
Accompanied by a near ‘flounce
so I shall leave you to it.
I don’t suppose you recognise or acknowledge how your posts reflect that though.

You’re right about that being noticed
It is being noticed btw.
Although what I’ve noticed is the aggressiveness of your posts. Is that what you meant?
But I haven’t seen that people are just too scared to say so.
Can you evidence that rather strange claim?

Quote Fleurpepper Sat 29-Oct-22 18:47:29
Kslu , it is incredibly rude to say such things, when you clearly have not a clue about what was being discussed

Who are you to say that another poster “doesn’t have a clue” about the subject of the thread?

Just that really. Becoming more and more down and probably suffering from "the grass is always greener" syndrome. After three years of trying valiantly to settle back in England after 44 years of absence, nostalgic and homesick for France, Belgium and Switzerland. This country is in a terrible mess which doesn't help. Came back for the children but our DIL is taciturn, non-communicative with us due to the fact that she hates her own mother {her words not ours} so we don't see the GC very often, despite we moved from Dorset to Hertfordshire to be near them. Would love to go back etc etc
How funny that different people can interpret a fairly straightforward OP so differently.
Yes, there is that one sentence about the country being in a mess, but that was not the main focus as I read it, nostalgia for a past life, the difficulty of settling after 44 years as an expat, not seeing the GC despite moving nearer, what sounds like a fraught relationship with DIL - all of that.

Thread about a thread now.

Kalu, it is incredibly rude to say such things, when you clearly have not a clue about what was being discussed.

'Tell me how that is helpful to someone moving back to the UK? '

no it was not about this at all- and the political aspect, eg changes due to Brexit, about a possible change of mind, were 100% relevant and directly linked (until the poster clarified that those restrictions did not apply due to EU passport. It would apply to all UK people without one of the above, eg 99.999%).

Kamiso

Aveline

I am not interested in being preached to about what I should or should not care about.

I feel exactly the same. Having someone else’s extreme views rammed down my throat is way beyond tedious to the extent of bullying.

I hardly bother with GN any more because of it. That’s sad because in the past we helped and supported each other through all kinds of sadness and difficulties.

We respected that our life experiences tended to mean we reached different conclusions but respected and tolerated each other.

The only positive aspect to this is the fact that the electorate hate to be bullied and treated like morons and it’s what cost the left wing elections.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻