Entering the UK- or going to happen now

Blimey. I can now understand why the Australians called the British born Australians the ‘whinging poms’.

We have 3 separate groups of family members visiting us from the other side of the world recently including my brother and his family from Australia. So far no one has their phone or money stolen in dangerous Britain and surprise, surprise, no one complains about visas either.

Tuliptree

Allira

I doubt any Australian visitors (apart from my own) would bother to come here
But, if they do, they will find a lot of potholes! The roads are in a terrible state.

Goodness anybody who lives here permanently not noticed this? We need emigrants to tell us - thank you so much.

This is exactly what I meant about hackles rising!!
Emigrants are probably astonished rather than critical.

Thinking about it, one of the things that’s definitely deteriorated is Gransnet.

A lesson for me I think.

Tuliptree

Whoops wrong thread 😂😂

I'm glad it was the wrong thread as I read it three times before I moved on.
I just felt I'd lost the plot!

Allira

^I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement^ 🤔

I'm very pleased that you lead such a sheltered life.
Millions don't, including our school children. How things have changed since we were young.

Should halve quoted this

Well I spent the day in be if the biggest most multicultural cities in Britain, with acknowledged poverty issues.

Condescension only equivalent to negativity here 🙄

Allira

^I doubt any Australian visitors (apart from my own) would bother to come here^
But, if they do, they will find a lot of potholes! The roads are in a terrible state.

Goodness anybody who lives here permanently not noticed this? We need emigrants to tell us - thank you so much.

In your opinion of course.

Allira

^Excellent post. The idea that lived experience is less important than second hand views gleaned from a variety of subjective sources. Detached? I don’t think so. Out of touch ? Definitely and all the more scarey because you don’t realise it^

Many people who have moved overseas come "home" to visit family every year or two and do notice how things have deteriorated year on year since they left.

Not the same as living here all the time at all. And I thought the OP doesn’t do that so my point remains valid

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

I'm very pleased that you lead such a sheltered life.
Millions don't, including our school children. How things have changed since we were young.

Excellent post. The idea that lived experience is less important than second hand views gleaned from a variety of subjective sources. Detached? I don’t think so. Out of touch ? Definitely and all the more scarey because you don’t realise it

Many people who have moved overseas come "home" to visit family every year or two and do notice how things have deteriorated year on year since they left.

I doubt any Australian visitors (apart from my own) would bother to come here
But, if they do, they will find a lot of potholes! The roads are in a terrible state.

Lathyrus3

MartavTaurus

Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.

I’m not sure about that.

If you’re not in the country you can only go by what other people tell you - whether it’s media or people you know.

That doesn’t actually give you a balanced view, I think.

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

I suppose it depends where they go.

I doubt any Australian visitors (apart from my own) would bother to come here.

My DC only told me about some of their hair-raising escapades when travelling years later (thank goodness).

Lathyrus3

MartavTaurus
Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.
I’m not sure about that.

If you’re not in the country you can only go by what other people tell you - whether it’s media or people you know.

That doesn’t actually give you a balanced view, I think.

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

Excellent post. The idea that lived experience is less important than second hand views gleaned from a variety of subjective sources. Detached? I don’t think so. Out of touch ? Definitely and all the more scarey because you don’t realise it

In the end the rules change. My husband was affected by changes to entitlement to British nationality in the 80s. He came here from the commonwealth in 1948, he was British. In the 80s he found out he needed to sort out his British nationality ie. get a passport or he would lose it. He was furious, refused to do it which would mean if he missed the deadline he'd have to apply to be naturalised. I persuaded him to get his passport, it wasn't a battle he was going to win and he did it. He's forgotten all about it so yes it annoyed him but as time passes it just fades. People who didn't know about it and missed the deadline have had bugger problems.

Alliera

Oh great! So you're saying nanna8, mamie me, just to mention a few on this thread, have no worthwhile significance and should be thrown on the dunghill! Just because we have lived abroad for a few decades we should now be estranged from our country family of origin! Crikey!
Sometimes a person who has lived overseas has much more idea about the changes that have taken place and perhaps not always for the better although many are.

For those who live here permanently the changes take place slowly and they may not realise just how different everything is

What I am saying is that you are not invested in the UK as I am. I’ve contributed economically and in many many other ways over the years 60 years. Where did I say you should be thrown in the dung hill? Stop making things up . And how incredibly patronising to say people like me don’t realise how different things are? I know because I live it and experience it every day. Amazing arrogance.

I think it can depend on how you express your view and also if you accept that where you are isn't perfect.

True. I get your point, Lathyrus3.
But my experience was that friends back in the UK used to go on about their own town, local school, buses, crime, etc, without looking more widely at the bigger picture. Of course, it's only natural to live somewhat in your own local bubble, whereas from a distance, the nationwide information you collate is maybe less biased because you have no emotional attachment.
🤔

MartavTaurus

Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.

I’m not sure about that.

If you’re not in the country you can only go by what other people tell you - whether it’s media or people you know.

That doesn’t actually give you a balanced view, I think.

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.

MartavTaurus

^I don’t think it’s strange /- I think it’s like your own family, you can criticise them but woe betide anyone else who does. Living overseas for 50 years imo means you’re not in the family in any meaningful sense.^

Oh great! So you're saying nanna8, mamie me, just to mention a few on this thread, have no worthwhile significance and should be thrown on the dunghill! Just because we have lived abroad for a few decades we should now be estranged from our country family of origin! Crikey!

Sometimes a person who has lived overseas has much more idea about the changes that have taken place and perhaps not always for the better although many are.

For those who live here permanently the changes take place slowly and they may not realise just how different everything is.

I don’t think it’s strange /- I think it’s like your own family, you can criticise them but woe betide anyone else who does. Living overseas for 50 years imo means you’re not in the family in any meaningful sense.

Oh great! So you're saying nanna8, mamie me, just to mention a few on this thread, have no worthwhile significance and should be thrown on the dunghill! Just because we have lived abroad for a few decades we should now be estranged from our country family of origin! Crikey!

I suppose - we know someone who always criticised everyone else's children (his own were perfect!).
It did make tge hackles rise!

But then it's slightly different if the person is criticising a country they knew well and see it going downhill.
It has been going downhill for very many years, let's face it.

Allira

^Clear, focused questions are easier to answer and making people feel you have insulted the country they live in is not the best way to get help.^

I think it was directed at these new rules introduced by the Government which have indeed been confusing for many.
The people I mentioned were upset and enraged at the new rules brought in overnight.

Strange how posters think they can criticise their own country and Government about anything and everything but, as soon as a British person living overseas does so, the hackles rise and posters become defensive.

It's a strange phenomenon.

I understand that the new rules have caused frustration and confusion, and it’s natural for people to feel strongly about changes that affect them. My point wasn’t about criticism of the government regarding the new rules, but about the tone and focus of questions. Practical, well-phrased questions make it easier for others to help.

Allira

^Clear, focused questions are easier to answer and making people feel you have insulted the country they live in is not the best way to get help.^

I think it was directed at these new rules introduced by the Government which have indeed been confusing for many.
The people I mentioned were upset and enraged at the new rules brought in overnight.

Strange how posters think they can criticise their own country and Government about anything and everything but, as soon as a British person living overseas does so, the hackles rise and posters become defensive.

It's a strange phenomenon.

I don’t think it’s strange /- I think it’s like your own family, you can criticise them but woe betide anyone else who does. Living overseas for 50 years imo means you’re not in the family in any meaningful sense.