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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 11:03:44 AM

Aneirin

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From: Tamaris
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Then with all these ideas kicking around to build a better society, why is it still the same, why is it not being implemented right now ?

Could it be that we have been educated to believe the politicians represent us and it is they that should start making the changes, as would a leader in the past. But the politicians it has been seen are self serving, and rimming the ass of industry to get where they want to be, or hope to be, them personally, so they are no use to the rest of us who stupidly believe their lies and put them on the ladder.

So what do we have left ?

Ourselves, but what does it take, for one of a few of us to stand up and start the changes that we need, why are we waiting ?

But the question is, if changes come from the bottom, will the top and their sycophants allow it ?

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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 11:33:42 AM

LadyEllen

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Any movement towards putting things right cannot be within the way politics is done today - that is, two parties with any real influence, a media that is driven by memories of Empire and/or sensationalism, a bipolar left/right paradigm that seeks to reduce all unto it and a funding mechanism comprising private, business and union patronage.

Once such a movement is co-opted or subsumed within the party structures and system we have today, it will be buried utterly. And if it is not so co-opted then it runs the risk of death by media, either through ignorance or attack. Imagine how my comments about the side effects of multi-culturalism would be viewed - accusations of racism would soon close them down, although no racist content is to be found. At the same time my comments about investing in youth activities and changing the economic opportunities open to youngsters would be written off as socialist claptrap.

Whatever the movement should be, it must stand alone, notwithstanding that it should require private patronage to get any publicity at all at some stage. It has to be framed properly, thoughtfully and simply, so that it is easily communicated and understood and it must be inclusive and coherent and practical.

Alternatively we could join the Lib Dems - not because they fulfil all the criteria, but because they are the only ones campaigning for electoral reform that could acquire the influence to make it happen. Once we have PR then the political theatre opens to all of us to either force change or make it happen ourselves.

E

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Post #: 42

RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 11:41:01 AM

RCdc

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I don't see any real change in what people call antisocial behaviour at all in the past 40 years of my life and from reading the history books. People like to think that society is devolving. People like to harp on about the so called 'good ole days'. But the only thing that has altered is the ability to report things and the ability to be more open about abuse. So we, as brits, do what we are famous for. Complain. Come on - we are infamous for it. It's not any worse, growing up on the council estates in the east end there was so called antisocial behaviour even then and it wasn't dealt with any better back then.

But I LOVE Britain. It's my country and it makes my heart sing. It's beautiful and the people in general are fabulous and kind. I have had neighbours get up at 3 in the morning to help babysit when my mother in law was rushed into A&E. I have had gentlemen carry my cases down the stairs on the underground and children sing me carols or be oh sooooo cute at halloween on the doorstep with their parents supporting them. I have had giggles with old ladies at bus stops and wolf whistles from workmen who delight when you give them a wink and a smile as a thank you

And I am proud of our lads and gals who are sent out to fight idiotic wars and who help people in disaster areas. I dig our royal family who sometimes make prats of themselves.

What I don't dig particularly are people who live here and pretty much diss the country I love and even though you have good things to say Phoenix, sometimes I find your attitude incredibly insulting when I keep reading just how much you hate it here in so many of your posts. If I was allowed to stay in another persons country, the last thing I would do is moan and complain about it. I always ask people, when they moan about the UK or Britain - whether they are residents or just here on a visa - why the fuck do you stay then? If it's so incredibly dull and dangerous - if you find everyone so mean and cruel - why stay?

My England is a green and pleasent land - with towerblock icons and smoke filled cities - her street arteries contain drunks and sometime brawls but it's multi-ethnic with row upon row of 10 different chinese takeaways, 7 indians, 5 kebab shops and one little old fish and chippy. Where I can buy english asparagus next to bright green plantain.
But it's my England and I cannot explain just how passionate I feel about it. I love it.

the.dark.

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Post #: 43

RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 12:14:27 PM

stella41b

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Joined: 10/16/2007
From: SW London (UK)
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

Then with all these ideas kicking around to build a better society, why is it still the same, why is it not being implemented right now ?

Because we're a fragmented society cobbled around a class system would be my short answer. I mean let's face it my England here in London is probably quite different to your England and that of the other posters here who are also outside the M25 motorway.

The things which could possibly unite us, the anger and dissatisfaction won't unite us until we first learn to overcome our differences and start uniting over a common purpose to make society better for everyone - and that includes the chavs and the yobbos. The 'get a job' mantra doesn't work because there are no jobs to get, 'jobs for the boys' finished a long time ago for a lot of people and instead of jobs' we really do need to be thinking in terms of occupation, not jobs.

Instead of having making a profit and the short term return as primary social aims we need to instead shift our focus towards quality of life and investing in the future through what we do now. We need to stop dividing people into acceptable and unacceptable and instead focus on working together against today's social issues such as poverty, welfare dependency, crime, etc.

We need to get rid of this ridiculous notion of class in society and when we start doing that I personally feel we start moving forwards.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

Could it be that we have been educated to believe the politicians represent us and it is they that should start making the changes, as would a leader in the past. But the politicians it has been seen are self serving, and rimming the ass of industry to get where they want to be, or hope to be, them personally, so they are no use to the rest of us who stupidly believe their lies and put them on the ladder.

I don't think we've been educated to believe the politicians represent us, but rather we've been educated to believe that we must all in some way serve our economy which is why politicians are still fighting for their seats by using such buzzwords as 'growth', 'deficit', 'inflation', 'the economy' and which is also how over the last two or three decades the politicians have been serving the corporations, banks and the media far more than they have been serving us - the people.

It is this drive for profits, growth and increased productivity which has been destroying our society and country for years and caused us to have this sort of 'treadmill' mentality where we're competing with each other and where you need to be seen as somehow 'productive' to society to be socially acceptable, as in having a job or a career.

But you know it's this drive for profits, growth and increased productivity which got so many people into debt, which has decimated societies in Eastern Europe and which is threatening to do the same here in the West. It's also cost a lot of people their livelihoods, their jobs, their homes and their families.

This probably isn't going to be a popular point of view, but it's mine and I will share it anyway. Instead of moving further towards the right and the BNP I feel that politically we need to be moving in the opposite direction, i.e. towards the left and start embracing socialist ideals such as full employment, a work ethic based on hard work, free education, and politicians and civil servants who serve the people and not the other way round.

I would much rather this be of our own volition than the alternative which is to be forced into yet another totalitarian regime which is unacceptable whether it be left wing totalitarianism or right wing totalitarianism.

But we really need to step down from that treadmill and start focussing on enjoying life and rebuilding our communities and our society.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

Ourselves, but what does it take, for one of a few of us to stand up and start the changes that we need, why are we waiting ?

Yes it is we ourselves. What does it take? It depends. It relies of course on overcoming our fears, fears that we will lose our jobs, fears that it won't succeed, fears about how other people will respond and so on. It might happen if one person who isn't afraid takes a stand or even a few people and others join in for support.

I think we are waiting for that opportunity and that person or people to take a stand. This is a bit like Poland in the 1980's.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

But the question is, if changes come from the bottom, will the top and their sycophants allow it ?

Just like a lot of people the people at the top aren't really going to be all that bothered until it starts affecting them, and it won't start affecting them until a lot of people have stepped off the treadmill and it's seen as a trend. The problem is getting from the catalyst to the trend without attracting the attention of the media.

That saying, there's plenty of scope for it to come from the Internet.

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Post #: 44

RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 12:24:57 PM

Phoenixpower

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quote:

ORIGINAL: RCdc
What I don't dig particularly are people who live here and pretty much diss the country I love and even though you have good things to say Phoenix, sometimes I find your attitude incredibly insulting when I keep reading just how much you hate it here in so many of your posts. If I was allowed to stay in another persons country, the last thing I would do is moan and complain about it. I always ask people, when they moan about the UK or Britain - whether they are residents or just here on a visa - why the fuck do you stay then? If it's so incredibly dull and dangerous - if you find everyone so mean and cruel - why stay?the.dark.

I know I am too blunt for some folks but that does not bother me...like everyone here we are how we are.

Why I am here? I originally came here for a neutral work experience abroad...at first to Ireland, then the UK...,when I wanted to get back by then the sectore I am working in collapsed...and in Germany you can't swap between jobs as you can do over here as for almost every job you need a 2-4 year qualification (most of them are 3-4 years), even in many jobs in the supermarket you have to do the 3 year qualification. Once you are 25+ it is very uncommon to start a new qualification again...thats simply not really how our system is organised. Of course, these days it can happen...however, it is not that common as those apprentice ships are first of all for school leavers and not for folks who might want to change their jobs several times. So once you have 2-3 qualifications it is harder and harder to get an apprentice ship as simply (understandably) school leavers have priority as first of all they NEED an apprentice ship to get into work in the first place....so if your job sector collapsed...you are screwed if you don't manage to get an apprentice ship to change your profession...and after I did 2 apprentice ships (one for 2 years and one for 4 years...you don't really fancy another one...apart from the fact that you are not that likely to find an employer to take you on at an older age when he has 100 school leavers wanting to get their first apprentice ship).

Therefore as my job in the social sector collapsed (as one year after doing the exam 80% of my class was out of work) I do work abroad and the only reason I still am here is as by now I accumulated student debts as I - to move on and not just keeping getting bored - decided to at least try to use the time useful here whilst I can't get work at home. Recently the job market got better...however, going back home does not make sence with 27k student debts on my shoulders as what I am studying is one of the lowest paid graduate jobs back home so if I would go home and actually surprisingly find a job in that profession (which again, is unlikely as in what I am studying they have even more problems to find a job then in the 4 year qualification I did just before I left back home) I would earn less then what I earned before with the fact that I still pay off my student debts...and therefore once I have the degree potentially this summer....I will apply for the visa and leave once I have that....hopefully next year...and whilst you might say that now I profit from having work here and should be grateful....well...nope...because if I would have really had a choice to stay back home I would not have come back to here...but just being at home with no prospect of work...is not really an alternative option for private reasons which don't matter on the board.

However, I don't feel the need of being grateful for having work here as quite frankly in the job I am working at the moment (I worked in the past in 2005 as a live-in carer with severe disabled clients and later as a live-out carer for elderly and disabled clients and following that in countless residential homes - all run by the same employer I am simply not based in one particular home but work all over the place) the british people aren't represented much as - so I am told from british people - they feel as being too fine for doing that work...so, grateful for a rather low paid job where I work rarely with someone so called normal british citizen as they can't be bothered???

In those sectors your country would be screwed without the foreign workers.

Therefore, I don't see a point of being grateful for that...yes, it pays my bills over here, but thats it...living over here had a huge impact on my fibromyalgia due to the living expenses over here (back home in childrens home I had a very comfortable middle income and no need to work around the clock) with working around the clock since many years...so grateful for doing a job which has a very low reputation over here as over here staff does not need to do a proper in depth 4 year qualification for it as we do back home and as rarely british people are willing to do (I am pretty confident not even to know 10 british citizens in the 30-40 homes I know, not to mention the work in the past in the care work sector)?

Certainly not.

If I would feel able just to stay at home I would not be here...my plan was to come to here temporarily, maybe a year or two...when I applied at the end of 2006 back home I found exactly 10 positions in my job on the online job center page in whole germany...(there were a few more but at those I had the wrong religion or the wrong gender, I could only apply for 10) and when they have 300+ applicants, the last person they need to bother about is someone who is currently abroad, originally not from their area and so potentially only there for them until she would find a job back in her county...

So, like many others, I travel around to keep going...which does not mean I have to be grateful for it...I do my work, I contribute quite a lot to leave money in the shops here, but once I am able to leave I promise you I will...however, that does not make me stop to criticise the aspects which I don't like over here.

If people come over to my country and don't like things they also have their say and they either adapt to it to learn to tolerate it or move on...I won't adapt to the many aspects which I don't like and therefore will leave as soon as I can and can even give you my promise not to come back. However for now I need to stay to finish the course as is no point to leave it after 1 or 2 years, leaving with the debts of it but not having the degree...no need for that....sometimes simply decisions made earlier in life have their impact...however, doesn't mean I have to be grateful for it...neither do I have to be grateful for having that study place because if residential carework would have the standard and the appreciation it has back home would mean I would earn enough to leave a normal standard of living as an adult and then I would have never started the course in the first place...I started it out of financial necessity as at that time my decision wasn't final to leave this country...at times decisions change in life, nothing wrong with that. And do I hold back about my view...nope...we are often criticised for being very direct but well...thats how we are and "I" am fine with it and so are the friends I made here at uni and at work....and the ones who have a problem with it that is their choice to be a problem for them...doesn't bother me. I learned over here to be selective about what has to bother me and what does not have to bother me.

Apart from that I also criticise the aspects I don't like at home, so whilst I do like my country, that does not mean that I say yes and amen to everything and just like everything....I am critical about things in life which do bother me...and things over here like crime, service from the NHS, general living expenses and level of care in residential care (does not matter if kids, adults or elderly) are aspects I don't like and are aspects which do affect me and can affect me later in life...and therefore aspects I don't like who can and partially already do have an impact on me, I do criticise.

Personally I do feel reasonably blessed right now, I have an incredible good placement (which is my best job ever in the UK), I have regular work thanks to one very supportive home who offered me my regular 2 nights a week and I have a very good GP and a very good vet...so my basic needs are covered...but still...I am looking forward to leave as soon as I can

...and by the way...I say my critique in day to day as likely as on here...my ex who is a councillor said twice, some weeks apart - when he realised that I enjoy my placement - "maybe that will mean that you will finally enjoy living in england."

I just laughed and replied "nice try....not gonna happen" (as the aspects I don't like have nothing to do with my placement and therefore a good placement does not change the aspects I like nor a job in that profession later...one thing has nothing to do with the other...) and by now I even have the impression that he might leave the UK to another country where he has a house once he retires, because once his career is over he has no reason to stay in London....not saying that he will...but I do know that he does consider it since we had a lot of discussions about the aspects I do criticise...

< Message edited by Phoenixpower -- 3/12/2010 1:13:08 PM >

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Post #: 45

RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 5:16:14 PM

RCdc

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Ah, the old 'I'm blunt' excuse. I personally do not find that being blunt means you have to diss the country you are welcomed into - whether that is by birth and nationality or by choice.

I didn't anywhere in my post suggest that you should be 'grateful' for anything. In fact I would say that the inhabitants of a country would do well to realise the blessings that people from other places worldwide bring with them - their culture and their expertize into their place of 'rest'.

But leeching from a country - which is basically what you are doing - whilst complaining about the people, or the weather, the government and the food... ? These are things in the past that I have seen you do on here. Master quotes that you are like a lothario who picks up a whore, fucks her and then dumps her having got what it wanted without really contributing anything but a bit more to her income. And by the assumptions of your posts, that whore is just going to bugger off and spend the money you gave on drugs anyway. So congratulations on feeding her habit with your 'contributions'.

But then as you say, you complain about your own country also. It's totally possible that you simple create your own agony I guess. I am a huge believer in that you reap what you sow.

Your attitude frightens me to be honest. As someone who has done volunteer care work, I am so glad that your attitude isn't one I have come across very often. Because if it was the prevailing attitude, I would be worried for my partners mother who resides in a care home, or his aunt that has taken some respite care in a hospice the past few weeks.

No. I don't believe anyone has to be 'grateful' to be allowed to work or live or participate in a country. But I do believe they should count their blessings that they have that which others do not and cannot. A positive attitude in life does create a far more postive karma effect in what we gain, if not financially, then within our own hearts.

the.dark.

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Post #: 46

RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/12/2010 6:36:53 PM

Aneirin

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Yeah,you have that right, the media are the snitch in the neighbourhood, they will serve whoever serves them best, if that means the end of a political candidate, party or well meaning individual, so be it, as long as it sells papers, they do not care beyond the pay.

The newspapers have so much power, they can influence a nation, but beware they are in what they do for themselves, do not trust newspapers, waste of trees anyway.

< Message edited by Aneirin -- 3/12/2010 6:37:55 PM >

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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/13/2010 6:08:54 AM

LadyEllen

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What an utterly ridiculous and offensive post.

PP contributes here as someone rather special - that is, someone who has lived elsewhere before coming here to live for the past few years. That brings a unique perspective by way of comparison between here and elsewhere, and further brings us the possibility of accessing different and better ways to do certain things where we have quite simply got it wrong - (i) in our residential homes for the young, infirm and elderly and in our regard for those who provide care in those settings, and (ii) in our general approach to how youngster are prepared for adulthood.

To reject such a special perspective out of hand is to play the ignorant Britisher perfectly; the same role that says that we are always right and the "damnable foreigners" in Europe are out to get us with their different ways. Not to mention it is a despicable and contradictory affront to the other tune we seem to play so well, that other cultures have much to to teach us and we should be welcome to diversity - but perhaps that doesnt apply to those who look like us.

E

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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/13/2010 9:36:32 AM

Phoenixpower

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quote:

ORIGINAL: RCdc

Ah, the old 'I'm blunt' excuse. I personally do not find that being blunt means you have to diss the country you are welcomed into - whether that is by birth and nationality or by choice.

You take it as excuse, I take it as reality...I know that many people who have a problem with it don't get it how it is meant but thankfully I do know quite a few british people who know other Germans as well and say it is common in our attitude. How said once a guy I know from CM after I "offended" a student nurse as she eavesdropped a conversation between a british uni mate and myself. She had a brain tumour operation behind her and was very frustrated about the waiting times she had for further treatment. So whilst she was glad how fast the doctor responded to her in the first place (as her mother had died from a brain tumour when she was a kid) she was very fedup of the slow response afterwards. So we dared to have our say between us about the NHS following which a student nurse tried to demand us to stop such a form of conversation as that would be discrimatory to her *yeah right* She also tried the approach to claim not to criticise the NHS when "lucky me" is living over here....however that guy said "Phoenix....you are sooooo German". So I asked him why he said that...following which he replied "You are so direct. Unfortunately the British arent like that...they usually are only like that when they don't care...maybe they missinterpret your honesty with hostility." And reflecting some situations at that time....in my opinion he got that point very well....and since then I chose my words a bit more carefully at work when I know it can be missunderstood...however, with friends and on the board I am me...and I don't see one single reason why I should change that as I enjoy being me

I didn't anywhere in my post suggest that you should be 'grateful' for anything. In fact I would say that the inhabitants of a country would do well to realise the blessings that people from other places worldwide bring with them - their culture and their expertize into their place of 'rest'.

But leeching from a country - which is basically what you are doing - whilst complaining about the people, or the weather, the government and the food... ? These are things in the past that I have seen you do on here. Master quotes that you are like a lothario who picks up a whore, fucks her and then dumps her having got what it wanted without really contributing anything but a bit more to her income. And by the assumptions of your posts, that whore is just going to bugger off and spend the money you gave on drugs anyway. So congratulations on feeding her habit with your 'contributions'.

When I do complain about the weather then mainly it is about the incompetence how snow is dealt with over here....whereas in other countries (not only in Germany) Citizens are treated as adult (as being competent) and expected to clean there foothpaths early in the morning, because if you don't do so, and someone falls on the floor eg due to slipping out, then you are legally responsible if you did not clean your footpath....guess what...people DO it...and guess again...I can't remember one single time having been slipped out in Germany in 26 years of my life over there...Hence Winters were very enjoyable. Now....over here with the nanny state culture I got explained from many different sources that you actually shouldn't clean the footpath in front of your house, because if you do so and someone slips out and get injured then you are legally in charge...whereas if you just leave it and someone slips out then the government is in charge...so over here the government makes sure not to give toooooo much competence to the citizens as they might not be able to handle it...and so - what a surprise - I slipped out 4 times between last february and this february....oh yeah, that certainly is something I should appreciate over here...considering how EASILY it could be prevented in the first place

Your lothario comparison (or should I say the comparison with it from your other half) just makes me laugh...as it could not be any further away from reality...but that's fine live in that bubble if you wish.

The money I leave here, I am talking about, is the same money (my assumption) you leave over here with just on the normal costs of daily living such as food, council tax (before and after my studies) and ridicioulus expensive living costs over here....Now, if that is fine for you, so be it, however I do know that I would not want to bring up kids over here when I see how easy my childhood was back home (and there did not change much in the aspects which are necessary for me) compared to how living reality is over her.

My Councillor ex tried on many occassions, when I criticised the aspects which I do not like over here, to say it would be the same in other countries...well, certainly it is not and I regular said it to his face and offered him to show him the difference in other countries such as mine. He never took on that offer as he also might prefer just to stick to his belief and after all, he has more then enough money anyway, not really to be affected from it...

But then as you say, you complain about your own country also. It's totally possible that you simple create your own agony I guess. I am a huge believer in that you reap what you sow.

again, believe it if you wish. I do criticize aspects which I don't think are great, wherever I live. That does not mean I am a big moaner in private life, actually my parents were regular driven up the wall about how laid back I used to be about aspects they considered as being a problem...currently I am not laid back...but that phase will get over and better once my current stresslevel gets down.
But you know....thats maybe again the difference between being raised in a country where you are growing up with the focus on "autonomy" instead of the focus being on "nanny state, we tell you where to go, don't use your own mind."

If I would have studied back home I would not have gotten any placement arranged (and believe it or not, I wish it would be the same here) as at home you have to do it yourself...NOBODY does it for you. Get up your ass and do it or lose out on having one....it's that simple.

Over here you get told "go to a doctor in YOUR AREA" (I know it seems to be getting changed but still is the case) does not matter how good or bad they are...well, back home I went to three different Doctors, depending on which one I felt more comfortable to see with it or more competent to hear their opinion...so e.g. when once one GP got it wrong, as she did not get it that I had mumps and prescriped me ridicioulus eardrops, I just went later that day to one of the others who got it and I finally got the cream necessary to apply to get the pain down and to stay at home to avoid putting others at risk.

Back at home I could go to whatever GP I wanted...I was in charge!!! It was up to me!!! And quite frankly, seeing some doctors I met over here (though I know bad ones can be in any country) that freedom of choice and independence would be good over here as well as they would not have their patience granted anymore when they are not dependent on the area anymore...So if you have a stupid attitude and the patience stay away then it is time to either change it or reconsider your job decision...

Same in regards to referals, where again we chose the specialist we went to see ourselves....we go to the yellow pages and chose between eg 10 different heart specialists which one we want to be examined from and go ahead and book our appointment...YOU are in charge about WHO judges about your health...if your desired doc has no appointment as soon as you wish to have it you can simply get an appointment at another one...you don't have to wait forever like here (I had to wait 4 months for a referral an was told at work that this would be fast over here....I was gobsmacke...) and to wait and see who you have to put up with...as only you decide who you will put up with...and believe it or not...that makes a hell of a lot of difference because quite frankly, my health plays importance to me!

And before you might pick up on that we would have private healthcare...actually....we have universal healthcare...yes, part of our salary goes into it....but quite frankly if I see how much you pay over here on council tax every single month (one of my many reasons why I won't stay here as I know to do better things with my money), then I certainly know that we have the better deal at home (we pay significantly less council tax and not much into healthcare, so we have less expenses to pay for it per month but better healthcare...

Your attitude frightens me to be honest. As someone who has done volunteer care work, I am so glad that your attitude isn't one I have come across very often. Because if it was the prevailing attitude, I would be worried for my partners mother who resides in a care home, or his aunt that has taken some respite care in a hospice the past few weeks.

well, again, your choice...one manager I worked for, for 11 months on a temporary contract (could not stay longer as then I would have to go permanent, which does not fit with my studies, apart from that I like the independence as relief worker that you can take off at any time if you decide to take time off) praised me at his higher manager, saying to her that I do have a high standard at work...well, personally I don't consider it as a high standard, but it is a difference if you got properly trained in an in-depth 4 year qualification to do you work or if you have no qualification to do so as many over here do...at that time I had clashed with one person at work as she considered it as being ok to take the piss from the residents and colleagues whilst on work...now...sad point on him was that he did not ban her from the house as many others managers would have done...and before you think that this is once again too harsh...well, once he handed over his job to another manager who knew me as well he DID ban her from his house and a year later she finally got sacked as finally a different house had enough of her as well...he also said to his manager that I am not the most tactful person (me standing in the doorframe, hands on my hips, saying "am I not???" he lauging "Phoenix, you know you are not." however he still said that he prefers such a member of staff who does open the mouth when that person just does not get it with different ways to get it to her before that (well, in that respect that staff decided not to take me serious, as I was only a relief-staff on contract (which quite frankly equals to being a permanent staff, but she refused to get that point) then an overly-polite staff member who just continues to let her have her bad way with our clients...

Before he left he explained to me, that he actually did not mind if some staff did complain about me as being rude or abrupt or whatever words they chose...I was puzzled but he explained to me that he did not mind that as he knows that I don't behave like that to staff a, b and c...so he figured out that I only turn firm towards someone if they don't pull their weight at work and therefore actually they disclosed themselves as being lazy to him...he was one of the few managers over here who got it how I am ... however, as he did study sociology he also simply has a bit of a better understanding about human behaviour and society...

And in regards to being such a bad person...yanno...I fought in 2008 and 2009 for the service users to go abroad on holiday as in 2008 the social worker suggested to take him to ridicioulus Butlins (Butlins named ridicoulus in regards to the fact that 60 year old service users should not just be dumped at Butlins just because it is so easy to do)...I did not win the battle to take them abroad with sugar coating him...he was concerned about typical health-and-safety-fuss....but quite frankly, I did go abroad with others before in the UK and in Germany and did not take that as an excuse...in both years I had a fair amount of people who were not happy about the decision....but I do know that that was what the service users wanted as the spoke about spain (as an example) a lot...so if you consider it as me being so bad to be assertive for what they want instead of just giving in and have it done the easy way, feel free...

In regards to your example from the care home...again, I stood against approx. 40 carestaff last year who decided to leave one person in bed, instead of taking him out that he could take part on activities which were on offer there, justifying it due to health and safety as he might need his "additional oxygen again."...they did not care about that he was desperate to get more out of his bed...after 3 weeks the Matron finally supported me and enforced it that they have to take him out of bed daily IF HE WANTS TO. So finally they realised they have to take him out if they want to do the work to get him out of bed or not...and guess what....he got better and better as he got stronger and also got mentally better (less depressed)..and later he only needed extra oxygen supply once a week instead of daily and before I left he only needed it about once a month...of course I could have taken the backseat and just leave it....but I do know my job and always prefer to look for the welfare of the residents (what they want) and less about what other colleagues might prefer...back home it wasn't a problem as again, there we all are properly qualified and know what we are doing...over here lots of staff isn't qualified and therefore by now I don't care about them that much anymore and take the lead when I have to.

So if you would be worried about staff who takes there job very serious to provide the best possible care...then again, thats your choice...I do know my abilities thanks to my in depth qualification (which included far more reflection from managers and teachers then you like during that 4 years) and have no problem at all to challenge staff when I disagree with their attitude towards the clients to do as less as possible at times and just to sit away the hours they have to do to get their time sheet signed.

No. I don't believe anyone has to be 'grateful' to be allowed to work or live or participate in a country. But I do believe they should count their blessings that they have that which others do not and cannot. A positive attitude in life does create a far more postive karma effect in what we gain, if not financially, then within our own hearts.

I do count my blessings and am glad that I do know that grass IS greener in other places, no need to worry about that. Sometimes when I say to some colleagues that I won't return to the UK once I leave they say I could not say that as I might not like the next country and then might come back...Well, wrong, if I would not like it in the long term in NZ or Canada or wherever I am going to move, then I would go back to Germany...however, only then and not yet...as for now I am still young enough to explore other countries

the.dark.

< Message edited by Phoenixpower -- 3/13/2010 10:09:07 AM >

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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/17/2010 9:40:58 PM

Silentrunner26

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In the US kids know they can say and do anything and get away with it . When we sropped being able to control the kids we started lettling them be in control of us . I know a 14 yr old girl who is so wild her teachers won't tell her anything they fear her and her friends .

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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/23/2010 8:11:11 AM

RCdc

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I am laughing here. I have never known someone say that the british aren't direct.
Reserved may be - but not direct?
You pretty much paint a picture of britian that isn't true at all, from waiting lists to how going to the doctors works to how terrible it is growing up - none of which have any truth to them! I don't attribute that to your nationality particularly, in fact I dislike such crass generalisations. I just call a liar a liar and I don't deal with racist remarks about how being british or being german has any relevance whatsoever.

When I have to find a doctor because I moved, I get the choice of a couple or more surgeries. Even when I was living out in the conish wilds, I had a choice. Then each clinic has half a dozen doctors at least. My current has over 8 full time, not to mention the floaters and trainees. Plus there are nurses and other specialists. I can call up and can book an appointment either with the doctor of my choice or if it is an emergancy, one of the doctors on duty, or a nurse. This is how it has always been in any of the surgeries I have been registered with.

As for the legalities of whos fault due to ice and snow fall, I think you need to find better people to advise you on 'legalities'.

If you slip on property and you can prove it was the owners/councils 'fault' due to negligence, regardless whether they cleared snow or not, you can claim compensation. Lordy, you could sue the council for twisting your ankle on a dodgy pavement square if you wanted!

My councillor help stopped a development of eyesore highrise flats from being built on local green land here... he is pretty active in this community and gets voted in over and over. He's pretty rocking all round. My aunts local MP attended my unkles funeral and assisted in some legal process she went through. He is pretty rocking too.

I loved growing up here and my children did well also. Swimming, horseriding and cycling. Lovely countryside. Fab parks. Never far from the sea or beach regardless where on this island you live. I don't see what so negative about growing up here, unless you have crap parents who don't let you do anything, and those you get anywhere. I grew up on a council estate in east london, so you can't claim I had an advantage due to some upper middle class upbringing.

So sure, you can continue to paint a picture of grey old england with its huge long NHS waiting lists for abortions and nasty doctors not of your choice and the crap childhood people have compared to where you were brought up. But you haven't lived it. You are merely sitting there, taking what suits you and not really participating, until it's time for you to move on.
Me? I'll live and enjoy and if I had the calling to go elsewhere, then at least I would have groovy memories and excellent friends to keep in touch with.

the.dark.

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RE: Life in Merry Old England - a snapshot - 3/23/2010 1:39:08 PM

NorthernGent

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Thing with you Pheonix is that you don't like a beer....

Were you astute enough to read the tour guide it would have told you: "don't like a beer? it really ain't the place for you". The pub is where we do our socialising.

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