Right then, after I posted this:
www.b3ta.com/questions/coldfish/post541487 I was challenged by a few people to "man the fuck up" and actually come out with the list of things that I dislike that "everyone else" likes.

OK, then, here goes:

1) The Blame Culture.

Whatever it is, it's always someone else's fault and therefore we are not to blame. From 'political correctness gone mad' to 'Nanny State' to 'Immigrants are taking all our jobs' it always seems to be someone else's fault, and most people can whinge at an Olympic-level standard about the wrongs in our society.

However, try to talk to anyone about politics - about the forces that govern the UK - and no-one wants to know. It's boring, it will always be the same, and so on, and so forth. The causal link between the way our society is run and the responsibility of the individual to effect change is never thought of. Membership of every political party is at an all-time low, public protests (such as they are) are hi-jacked by the Rentamob brigade of professional agitators basically because none of us can be bothered to get up off our arses and call the politicians to account.

Basically the government we get is the government we deserve and in a perverse way, we are happy with the status quo in this country simply because it gives us a chance to moan. Either put up and shut up, or effect change. The third option adopted by everyone - moan and then do fuck all - drives me insane.

2) The celebrity culture.

What the hell is wrong with celebrating people who have talent ? Talent to entertain means being able to be witty, or play an instrument, or sing, or do *something* significantly better than 99.99% of the population. It used to be that having such talent made you famous. Now you are famous because you share your most intimate details - and gratuitously display your body - to the masses. The talent any of these "celebrities" has is purely for self-promotion and I wish to fuck that the public didn't have a seemingly incessant demand to know about the private lives of complete strangers.

3) The adoption of American customs and habits in the UK.

Already, we have "prom nights" for our kids - as if being a schoolkid wasn't bad enough, the poor bastards have to fret about getting dates, hiring a limo and renting / buying formal dress for a "prom", an institution that was unheard-of 20 years ago.

What's next FFS ? Cheerleaders at sports games ? Calling football "soccer" ? Celebrating Thanksgiving ?

If we're going to adopt the mores of another nation, sure to God there is a better example than the USA somewhere in the world. Although really we have enough customs of our own, and shouldn't need to borrow from another culture.

4) Meaningless mass emoting.

Every time someone famous dies, the amount of public grief is inversely proportionate to the meaningful deeds of that person. From Princess Diana to Michael Jackson, the public act as if they have lost a member of their own family. For the love of God, get a sense of proportion.


So, that's my list - or as much as it as I can be bothered to share. I've got a load of logs delivered this morning I have to stack up - hopefully some physical exercise will purge the rage I now feel out of my system !
( I_Was_Mordred, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 10:47, 16 replies)

While I agree with you
It should be pointed out that "soccer" is a Pommy word. Anyone calling it such isn't doing anything wrong.

So own it.
(David CopAFeel Used to be The_Elcat - Spouting crap since 1970., Sun 18 Oct 2009, 11:27, closed)

Soccer
is an abreviation of aSSOCiation football, to differentiate it from Rugby Football.
(kitescreech still here, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 11:32, closed)

What next?
"Trick or treat" is another cultural import we could do without.
(enile, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 11:43, closed)

prom night
agreed- load of yank toss
(randomstupidname would really like this signature field to be bigge, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 13:13, closed)

Spot on, but...
"What's next FFS ? Cheerleaders at sports games ?"

I wouldn't go to a super league game if I was you...
(Seasider, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 13:17, closed)

We DO have cheerleaders at sports games

( Methylene Blue - electrohead, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 13:25, closed)

*click*
Just for number 4. I was 13 when Diana died and neither myself, my family, or anyone I knew gave a flying toss. I just can't understand the mindset of a person who's publicly grieving for someone they didn't know and only ever saw on TV.
(SpongeGavShitPants, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 15:08, closed)

God almighty
I remember that particular years holiday. First Sunday there, woke up in the morning, flicked on the TV for some mind-numbing drivel whilst coming to. All the fake concern and grief.

Did you know her?
Were you related?
Well then how is her death any worse than anyone else who dies in a road accident
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 16:39, closed)

There is nothing wrong with cheerleading.
Do you know anything about cheerleading, before you go dismissing it?

Cheerleading has already been in Britain for about a decade now, most major universities have a squad. It is soon to be classed as an official sport in Britain, as it has had national events take place for the past 7 years (give or take).

The sport involves a choreographed routine to music, which incorporates, dancing, gymnastics and stunting.

Watching a cheerleading routine is far more impressive than spending 90 minutes watching guys chase a ball.
( schizophrenic_sheep, Sun 18 Oct 2009, 21:36, closed)

Emotional diarrhoea
Totally agree with the mass emoting business - damned un-British. Suggest you read Francis Wheen's How Mumbo Jumbo Conquered the World. Excellent chapter on UK's descent into blubbering faux-mawkishness during the Diana business.
(mudskipper, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 8:19, closed)

I totally agree with how we moan but do nothing
It pains me to admit it, but if we were more like the French we'd have less working hours, more productive employees, more holidays, better benefits, better healthcare and generally be more happy.

All because these supposedly lazy French are willing to get up and shout about something they don't like, en masse.
(NDayave , Hooray For, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 12:25, closed)

Yes, but
We'd have to eat snails and build pish cars!
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 12:29, closed)

But think of all the money you'd save
on hygiene products
(NDayave , Hooray For, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 12:48, closed)