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Why are the Poms so unhappy?
THE HARD WORD | Having lived in the UK for some time now, I’m constantly amazed at how rude people are here. It’s quite an anomaly though, because the Brits are actually incredibly nice people. So Britons, why the sad face?
WHATEVER happened to good old fashioned customer service. Whatever happened to a bit of general chit-chat, a bit of politeness, a bit of courtesy.
London is infamous for being, well, not very good at it.
One of the biggest cities in the world is rather more famous for being so bloody busy.
At any time of the day in any part of this city chaos abounds. The streets are manic at the best of the times, with everyone always in a desperate hurry to reach their destination. And that is why I love it.
But I desperately miss speaking to people in public.
I arrived here after spending six weeks in America, arguably the home of ‘niceness’. Friends of mine mistook this for arrogance, but they are incredibly nice people, in their unique American way.
Waiters treat you like kings because, well, they have to. The service is prompt and reliable in the most expensive restaurants and the cheapest. And while I don’t condone people being paid bugger all to carry out their work, this scribe found that there is a sense in the country that the Americans are generally happy to speak/deal with foreigners.
But having lived in the UK for some time now, I’m constantly amazed at how rude people are here, which confuses me because the Brits are actually incredibly nice people. They are just more shy than their Atlantic neighbours, and frankly, similar to Australians.
I’m not asking for a five-minute conversation with the guy who makes my coffee every day. I don’t need to be asked how my life is progressing when I buy my papers, nor do I need to be questioned about the ins and outs of my day when I buy a train ticket.
All I’m asking for is a simple ‘hello’. Why is it so hard? Why is it so much to ask that when I do anything in this city, that actually requires someone to say something to me, no one ever does. Ever. That’s after I’ve already said hello to them.
Whinging? Whining? Perhaps.
We are in so many ways comparably similar to our Commonwealth ‘friends’. But are they really that miserable?
The 2012 World Happiness Report found the UK in a measly 18th position of the world’s happiest nations. Australia sits in ninth. Despite a general link between a country’s wealth and its mood, economist and author of the World Happiness Report, Jeffrey Sachs, said the two factors were not inherently linked. So that would seem to indicate that a double-dip recession is not necessarily cause for a nations misery.
Is it the weather? A mightily depressing English summer could be to blame, a lack of vitamin D possibly. It can’t be the state of the country’s sporting prowess, because, maybe for the first time ever, Brits have something to crow about. Unlike us Aussies, who are currently suffering through a turgid state of Australian sport. Yes the standard of living is undoubtedly better Down Under, but having lived there all my life, I’m not convinced it’s as bad here as some will have you believe.
This is an adorable country full of history, mystique and glorious countryside. And it also happens to find itself alongside the continent, that other majestic wonderland full of endless possibilities.
So Britain I’m confused. Why the sad face?
Why do you think the Poms are unhappy? Or do you not agree? Tell us below:
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19 Comments
Yes I arrived quite optimistic about what to expect…Although not all but many people to be insular, dogmatic and xenophobic. All the nicest people I’ve met have been foreign!
I visited the UK for about 2 weeks with my wife who was born in the UK. In all honesty the people seem unhappy and repressed, talking to people in service was “prickly” and cold. I could’nt wait to get back to SA, maybe it’s just the weather.
I have travelled round Aus. Great country, lovely weather, called mate or pom more times than I can remember, but hey!! One thing I can’t understand though is why you haven’t become a republic and you need a new flag by the way..because whilst your country needs ‘unfriendly’ Brits to migrate and keep the wheels of your industries turning, we on the other hand would love an excuse to pull up the drawbridge to our post colonial cousins. There are 60million people on this tiny island that would fit in to Aus about 12 times. Unfriendly we just need space to make happy!! We are a pivotal country between the US and Europe. Aussies should forget coming here and head to Asia where your future lies.
I don’t mind it over here in Pomgolia. Sure the food is ordinary…the weather is bad…the people are miserable. But if you use it as a base to explore Europe and spend your time here associating with all the other Aussies/Kiwis/Saffas that are over its not so bad really.
A friendly Hi from me :) I’m a Londoner now living in a Norfolk village. It has intrigued me how Londoners seem to be perceived to the rest of the UK (& world) as somehow aloof and yet I’ve lived in this village for 6 years and found it very difficult to make friends here. On the surface country dwellers are all ‘good morning’ but that seems to be as far as it goes. I remember an old country friend saying a cheery hello to everyone on my street back in London and I told her not to or they’d think you’re a burglar :) In my experience you can make friends a lot more quickly and sustain those friendships. You just don’t speak on the tube, unless drunk. Talking at bus stops is allowed however, as long as you start talking about the weather. Probably the main issue here is the part of London spoken about – central or West End of London I personally wouldn’t live – it’s just for tourists & city types. But walk in a proper East End pub & you’ll get a warm welcome… even if it’s from the Aussie barman :)
There’s a simple retort to your grievances: if you don’t like it, leave.
I’m fed up of Aussies coming over here and constantly moaning about how much better it is back home. Sorry, I don’t buy it.
London is a vibrant, fascinating city and the Brits that live here are warm and friendly. The reason that you are struggling to strike up a rapport with people is due to an inability to approach them in the right way and/or at the right time. No one wants to engage with strangers on a cramped tube during rush hour, we’ll wait until we’ve arrived at work and banter with people we actually give a to%% about.
And for those that moan about our weather: If weather conditions play such an integral role in the enjoyment of your life, then you seriously need to take a long, hard look at yourself. Sure, we all love it when the current bun’s out, but it never rains inside a pub.
If you have to approach people in the “right way” at the “right time” they are not friendly are they… Dopey.
Did you not read the next sentence?? No one wants to chat with strangers when they are in a hurry or preoccupied with something more important!
I didn’t really think your comment deserved a reply but it might be worth trying to get people like you to “get it”. What you have said about Brits completely confirms my view above. You do not understand the word “friendly”. Of course people are friendly to people they give a toss about. And, of course, London is a vibrant city (no one said it wasn’t) but “warm and friendly”?! The Olympics might bring out their inner warm and fuzzy for a couple of weeks. The weather will help this. Have you noticed how much this has affected you and everyone else for the better these past couple of days? I live in the country btw and my experience is the same. What are people so busy doing on the tube anyway. Avoiding human encounters and chances to connect perhaps?
Your comments demonstrate a total lack of intelligence; it’s staggering. I’ll chat to strangers in pubs, bars, clubs, sports events and practically anywhere else, but not on public transport during the rush hour. I’m normally preparing for my day at work, desperate to get out of an unhygienic train.
I really think that you expect too much from strangers, and it is individuals like yourself that give Aussies a bad name. Focus on your friends and other peer groups, but don’t try to disturb people that are engaged with something more important.
The Olympics has lifted everyone’s mood, as I’m told it did in Sydney in 2000. But as Londoners, we are generally content as we live in a city that has everything, unlike cities in Australia. The poor weather never bothers us, as we live in the greatest city in the world where the opportunities are boundless. Time to remove that chip from your shoulder.
When I first came to London I was attracted by British reserve after Aussie “in your face”…however now whenever I go back home I’m happy to find people so open!
English people can be superficially nice and polite, but they seem to have this barrier which prevents deeper friendships…Combine that with rampant class obsession, suppressed racism,and a general remnant of Empire superiority complex,and the longer you live here you realise how different we actually are !
Yeah! How’s the racism?! It really annoys me that other nationalities have this idea that Aussies are racist. While not perfect, since my travels, I honestly believe Australia is one the least (if not THE least) racist countries.
that is such a load of balls and im guessing your not racist cos youve got a black friend hahaha get a life dude aussies are the most ignorant arrogant ethically challenged people on the planet.how can a country made up of immigrants be so against migration to their land!its not a coincidence that 90%of peoople who move to aus leave within 2 years.its cos your so damn closed minded dont know how to think for yourselfs and need pointless laws and rules to try and keep the nanny state of a country together!your a foul nation with foul people and i wait for the day where u dig up so much of your land for these sustainable mining companies and hopefully hit a big gas hole so the whole place blows up!this world would be a lot better place without the foul minded up their own arse australian person init!FACT!
Luke, I understand your desire to defend the UK but let’s be honest here – it’s because we have a more regulated country, with laws and rules that are actually policed properly that our country is so successful. Our crimes rates are tiny compared to the UK and your country could certainly do with more laws and rules that are actually upheld by law to lower these crime rates. That’s something the UK could learn from Australia.
In general the English public is actually quite friendly – maybe try heading outside of London.
People keep to themselves due to fear. Fear of people conning you, of people following their own agenda.
I moved to England nearly 10 years ago from Germany – the English are way more friendly than the Germans, I can asure you! Once you get away from the big smoke, say down to Hampshire, Cornwall or up to Yorkshire people love to have a natter.
Yes that is certainly my experience, we livein the country and the people couldnt be friendlier. I must say I do get a bit sick of Aussies coming to the UK and whinging about everything, if you dont like it here then go home.
I’ve been here 6 years and have come to the conclustion that The English are not friendly – end of..as they say here. The sooner you accept this the easier it will be for you. But, hey, it’s their turf. What would be standoffish or arrogant in Australia is just “reserve” here. Totally different mindset and history which has informed this behaviour. The English tend to associate friendliness with a low IQ, shiftyness or being of a low class (and we know how obsessed they are with that). The Americans are friendly but it’s mostly insincere (esp. in shops and restaurants) they are looking for a payoff.
I’m often a little envious of the people on those tv shows who are looking to move to Oz. I know how much easier it will be for them mostly because people are so accepting in Oz. It’s still the thing I miss most about Oz – the trusting, sincerity and openness of most Aussies. Oh, and prawns.
Prawns and a Carlton… even at 11am on a Wednesday… sounds like an awesome idea.
On another note, weirdly (well not so weird) all the UK folk who i know that had to move back really can’t stand it. They all say its just getting over crowded, bad weather etc…. personally that doesn’t bother me because really you could be anywhere in the world.
What bothers me is that we are all in this together… this city… the pit. Make the most of it! Don’t be recluse, be friendly, BE NORMAL!!
I have to say: Best article I’ve read in a long time.
Since arriving here from OZ 5 months ago, I can’t help but noticing the the HUGE difference between Sydney and London.
1. People – They don’t smile at passers by or talk to them randomly.
2. Bars – Considerably much cheaper than home… I would have thought that to be the easiest place to meet randoms as they’re all p@ssed. No. They keep to themselves!
3. Public transport – Though it is possibly the best public transport system in the world, people are even more awkward. Except for one girl I met (who was Aussie) the rest of my time has been spent staring at the ceiling so as not to ‘break the rules’.
If the British public wanted solitude and ‘quiet time’ why don’t they move to the country? Oh, that’s right anonymity doesn’t happen in a village that knows everyone.
If I can’t see a change in the next few months I’m actually considering moving back home. I thought from all my friends reports they had the best time… alas… i’m not staying in a hostel with other Aussies!