FabSwingers.com forum: How does the rest of the world look at the UK?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Instead of asking our regulars what they think, instead I am throwing out this question to anyone who is not in the UK.

What do you think of the UK at the present time?

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By *uddy laneMan
over a year ago

dudley

"Instead of asking our regulars what they think, instead I am throwing out this question to anyone who is not in the UK.

What do you think of the UK at the present time?"

That depends on the narrative of the media they are fed.

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By *oguish1Man
over a year ago

Carrigrohane

A country run by a Lier that has set it's people on a course of self destruction ....... Deluded about there place in the world with a sense of entitlement from days long past ...... Shame!

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By *torm in a G cupWoman
over a year ago

Land of the Long White Cloud

I see Boris as a complete Buffoon who, whilst directing the rest of the country to comply with restrictions appeared to believe they did not apply to him and his old boys club.

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By *ovebjsMan
over a year ago

Bristol

Is there any country where they are all happy with the premier?

I think not

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By *parkybunnyCouple
over a year ago

Zurich. NOT London.

Self destruction, loss of control.of borders, lost trade due to Brexit and liar in number 10 accepting no responsibility.

When people find out we are English they smile and say Brexit, that's working out well for you and laugh.

The UK has become a laughing stock.

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By *parkybunnyCouple
over a year ago

Zurich. NOT London.

"Instead of asking our regulars what they think, instead I am throwing out this question to anyone who is not in the UK.

What do you think of the UK at the present time?

That depends on the narrative of the media they are fed."

Right... Because those of us who choose to live and work abroad can't possibly think for ourselves?

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By *ovebjsMan
over a year ago

Bristol

"Self destruction, loss of control.of borders, lost trade due to Brexit and liar in number 10 accepting no responsibility.

When people find out we are English they smile and say Brexit, that's working out well for you and laugh.

The UK has become a laughing stock.

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By *ohnnyTwoNotesMan
over a year ago

golden fields

"Self destruction, loss of control.of borders, lost trade due to Brexit and liar in number 10 accepting no responsibility.

When people find out we are English they smile and say Brexit, that's working out well for you and laugh.

The UK has become a laughing stock.

100% this.

Dead on. We voted ourselves to the bottom.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Self destruction, loss of control.of borders, lost trade due to Brexit and liar in number 10 accepting no responsibility.

When people find out we are English they smile and say Brexit, that's working out well for you and laugh.

The UK has become a laughing stock.

This is what's concerning us.

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By *coptoCouple
over a year ago

Côte d'Azur & Great Yarmouth

"I am throwing out this question to anyone who is not in the UK"

Since Brexit/Covis, we've been almost permanently in France (wife's German, I managed to get Residency, so 90-day limit doesn't apply).

No animosity, the occasional comparison between Johnson and Trump, otherwise the French (and every other European) simply shake their heads in disbelief...

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

Basing my opinion on my position as someone from the Commonwealth the general feeling to the UK is positive.

From my visits to my second home in Europe the feeling about what we did with Brexit is incredulity as to why we would commit such economic self harm.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Instead of asking our regulars what they think, instead I am throwing out this question to anyone who is not in the UK.

What do you think of the UK at the present time?"

I fear that I already know the answers, even though I'm in the UK.

They probably are seeing the following headlines:-

Dick pulls out

Truss in Moscow

Dumb mute

They most likely just snigger at the phrase "Conservative Party" - then say "Prost" or "Na Zdravi" or similar

They also probably believe that our national chain of opticians is called "Barnard Castle"

They also probably wonder why the UK is so proud of its heritage such as the Norman chapels for instance?

And to cap it all off, they would probably ask about the ancestry roots of our royal family.

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By *V-AliceTV/TS
over a year ago

Ayr

The UK Government has no significant influence beyond its own borders - certainly not with the USA, China, Russia, India or the EU countries.

It's not even particularly well liked at home and has contributed to the disunity that makes a mockery of it even being called the United Kingdom.

I get slagged off a lot for wanting Scotland to become independent - and I'm not suggesting we wouldn't have significant problems to overcome if we were; but given all that's been said in here and the contempt we're treated with in Westminster - can you blame me for wanting an independent Scotland.

The one way the UK is certainly well regarded around the world, is for the BBC; particularly The World Service.

Now, I know there are a lot of BBC haters out there - even in Government - and that the foreigners who appreciate the BBC don't pay for it; but it's a small shred of what's good about the UK that's left to the world.

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

well it seems that some countries are looking for a new European security council separate from the eu and want Britain to join and it seems Poland and some of the Baltic countries would like Britain to spearhead it as they trust London more than brussels, Paris or berlin on defence. Of course Macron is dead against it.

So make what you will of how these leaders think of Britain it certainly doesn't seem like they are laughing to me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"well it seems that some countries are looking for a new European security council separate from the eu and want Britain to join and it seems Poland and some of the Baltic countries would like Britain to spearhead it as they trust London more than brussels, Paris or berlin on defence. Of course Macron is dead against it.

So make what you will of how these leaders think of Britain it certainly doesn't seem like they are laughing to me. "

In Paris, or Berlin, and every disco I get in, my heart is pumping for love, pumping for love

Lowers eye shield and pisses off on some hyper tech mobility scooter.

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By *ellhungvweMan
over a year ago

Cheltenham

"Basing my opinion on my position as someone from the Commonwealth the general feeling to the UK is positive.

From my visits to my second home in Europe the feeling about what we did with Brexit is incredulity as to why we would commit such economic self harm. "

This very much sums up the world in my experience.

As someone who spent most of their life outside of the UK and Europe I can say that the UK is generally respected, and even admired, by most of the world. We are seen as having a stable and strong legal system and an overall system of governance that is substantially better than most of the rest of the world. We are generally seen as fair. Our soft power (ie the BBC and music) is appreciated.

Europe, however, thinks we are mad.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Well it didn't take long for those on the inside to say no problem everything is fine.

Sometimes its better to see what other people outside have to say, instead of what is being said by those closest to the situation. What was it? Those who are too close to problem cannot see the wood for the trees? (for those who don't understand, its all about the bigger picture)

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By *ellhungvweMan
over a year ago

Cheltenham

I don’t understand that last point OP.

As far as I can tell the only people who have lived/are based outside the UK and Europe are myself and Twisted and we both said that the world is generally fairly positive to the UK in our experience.

It seems to me that the people who are seeing the wood for the trees are those who are outside and not inside?

Have I missed something?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I don’t understand that last point OP.

It seems to me that the people who are seeing the wood for the trees are those who are outside and not inside?

Have I missed something?"

In your experience, I would say the same thing too, however, our opinions no matter how positive they are never the full picture, as for the wood/tree matter, how can anyone see (without technology) the whole wood, if all they can see immediately is the tree trunk in front of themselves?

What is wrong with getting the opinion of those outside of the UK bubble? We ask our leaders to see outside the "Westminster" bubble. What is it called when people perceive you in a different way? Optics? From the current postings apart from ours, the Optics don't look pretty positive at this present time. I do hope though it will change and they see the UK as what you mentioned in your thoughtful post.

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By *ellhungvweMan
over a year ago

Cheltenham

One of the things I have found that is pretty universal is that everyone thinks their politicians and government are crap, corrupt and that everyone thinks they are a joke.

Most people in most countries have absolutely no idea about other countries. They can’t name the politicians, the parties or even give you a reasonable guess as to what life is like in that country.

One of the reasons I think the UK is generally seen in a positive light is that most people in the world can get the World Service and that gives them a counterbalance to their government. This means that the UK is disproportionately in most peoples minds and they are comparing us to their, perceived, negative view of their government.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"One of the things I have found that is pretty universal is that everyone thinks their politicians and government are crap, corrupt and that everyone thinks they are a joke.

Which is good the Beeb are great example of soft power, whilst names or parties can not be remembered, it’s how people feel what matters, case in point, we can put all the reasoned arguments about a variety of topics together, but it doesn’t stop a person from feeling how they feel about a particular subject. Call it gut instinct, something not quantifiable. They are going to trust their own judgement even if it is contrary to all the factual evidence out there.

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By *I TwoCouple
over a year ago

PDI 12-26th Nov 24

I can only say what the few people we met in swingers clubs in Gran Canaria have told us and it's not good.

Watching UK events is as entertaining as the Simpsons and Boris obviously doesn't have the integrity and intelligence of homer

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

I think Argentina sees us as not the formidable force we once were. I wonder how long before they start eyeing up the Falklands again.

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

"I think Argentina sees us as not the formidable force we once were. I wonder how long before they start eyeing up the Falklands again."
A long time i would think they couldnt afford it covid has knocked their economy for six.

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By *JB1954Man
over a year ago

Reading

This maybe slightly off topic. My late wife was from an Asian country. I have been there many times. Yet asking people there where if they could live given a choice . The first two answers were always the same . UK or USA. This in no order followed by Canada, Australia , New Zealand and sometimes Hong Kong . I never heard once of anyone say Germany , France or any other European country. Yes they hate their government also. ?

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

Personally i dont give a monkeys how the world views the uk its a great country to live in freedom to pretty much do what you want, medical care if you are sick, plenty of jobs if you need to earn money and a guaranteed pension when you get old whats not to like?

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By *uddy laneMan
over a year ago

dudley

The food banks.

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

The food banks."
Yeah those too although most European countries have them dont find many in Africa or Asia.

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By *uddy laneMan
over a year ago

dudley

The food banks.Yeah those too although most European countries have them dont find many in Africa or Asia."

They must be great countries to live in.

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

The food banks.Yeah those too although most European countries have them dont find many in Africa or Asia.

They must be great countries to live in.

"
Who,s doubting that? ive lived and worked in several European countries and they have all been good.

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By *ohnnyTwoNotesMan
over a year ago

golden fields

The food banks.Yeah those too although most European countries have them dont find many in Africa or Asia.

They must be great countries to live in.

Who,s doubting that? ive lived and worked in several European countries and they have all been good."

It's sad that the next generation of young people won't have this opportunity.

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

The food banks.Yeah those too although most European countries have them dont find many in Africa or Asia.

They must be great countries to live in.

Who,s doubting that? ive lived and worked in several European countries and they have all been good.

It's sad that the next generation of young people won't have this opportunity."
Of course they will if they have the skills these countries need.I have worked all over the world and i didnt need eu rules to work in those countries either.

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By *oxychick35Couple
over a year ago

thornaby

"Personally i dont give a monkeys how the world views the uk its a great country to live in freedom to pretty much do what you want, medical care if you are sick, plenty of jobs if you need to earn money and a guaranteed pension when you get old whats not to like?"
same here I couldn’t care less and I doubt the rest of the world does it’s just an excuse to moan about brexit againnnnnn

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By *ohnnyTwoNotesMan
over a year ago

golden fields

The food banks.Yeah those too although most European countries have them dont find many in Africa or Asia.

They must be great countries to live in.

Who,s doubting that? ive lived and worked in several European countries and they have all been good.

It's sad that the next generation of young people won't have this opportunity.Of course they will if they have the skills these countries need.I have worked all over the world and i didnt need eu rules to work in those countries either."

So yeah, sad that younger people won't have the same freedoms we did.

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By *ohnnyTwoNotesMan
over a year ago

golden fields

"Personally i dont give a monkeys how the world views the uk its a great country to live in freedom to pretty much do what you want, medical care if you are sick, plenty of jobs if you need to earn money and a guaranteed pension when you get old whats not to like? same here I couldn’t care less and I doubt the rest of the world does it’s just an excuse to moan about brexit againnnnnn"

I mean, if you're not unhappy with brexit, you're simply not paying attention.

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By *parkybunnyCouple
over a year ago

Zurich. NOT London.

"I don’t understand that last point OP.

It seems to me that the people who are seeing the wood for the trees are those who are outside and not inside?

Have I missed something?"

Yes, we haven't been UK based for a decade. Predominantly in the EU but also the Middle Easy briefly. I can see very few reasons for us to head back to the UK. My next passport will not be a UK one, far too restrictive for working abroad.

Perhaps the fact that we travel extensively with work gives us a broader perspective to see just how rotten the trees are?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not as powerful as it once was

Not as influential as it once was

Still a great place to live if you prefer to converse in English.

A great contributor to ‘world culture’ (music, movies, comedy etc)

Still generally a good social care system (compared to many countries, but not all)

A bit foolish in the current trend for more isolationism and less integration with close neighbours.

A propensity to put the rich and powerful on a pedestal and vote in their interests.

A country caught up in the general trend for much of modern life to be dumbed down and intellectualism to be laughed at.

A country where there is still a great deal of opportunity even if the scope for social mobility has taken a retrograde step backwards in the past decade.

A country which has a perverse attitude to independence (out of the EU, but still apparently better together as an Union).

Expensive.

Good swinging scene

I’m sure there are other factors. But despite everything UK is still a very popular destination for many who want to make a move.

(Mr)

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By *ackal1Couple
over a year ago

Manchester

Lost its self respect and respect of others as a result

Lead by a political class not fit for office. All sides. Yes there are a few good MPs I know, but not many.

Needs to wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late.

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By *ackal1Couple
over a year ago

Manchester

"Not as powerful as it once was