"In this economic climate"

[Libby]

Ok if they don't earn it, they are paid it for kicking a ball around lol!

I am not a football fanatic although i have been to many matches over the years. I don't go anymore to matches although i do enjoy important matches where England are playing! I do try to be patriotic.

I think there is definitely a North South divide here in England, i live in the South and they definitely seem to have a money fixation. Up North people seem more level-headed about finance and there are many areas not so financially comfortable, they still seem to have their priorities right. Southerners tend to be more materialistic in my opinion.

[VikingHumpingWitch]

That's because Northerners are all skint. Easier to be materialistic when you have money to buy material stuff.

[Libby]

Yep VHW you are right, i still think Northerners have their lives more in perspective than we do down South. The South seem so competitive. As you say, they tend to be better off down here and that in itself causes competition and materialism.

[VikingHumpingWitch]

Well. I fled materialistic London for "who needs stuff when you've got a lake" Sweden and much prefer it here. But that's probably largely because I'm a lazy bint and the less Stuff I have the easier it is to keep the flat tidy.

[flatandy]

Northerners are even more miserable than southerners, even more resentful of anyone who's having a good time that's fuelled by anything more expensive than a crippled whippet and a few cans of Stella.

[flatandy]

It's not about materialism. It's about being resentful of others wealth and happinness.

If others want to splash their cash don't piss and whine about it. Let them have their fun.

[newyorker]

I love stuff, can't have enough electronic gadgets n' toys, nice clothes, it's all good fun.

[Libby]

How are Northerners affected by the economic climate, i haven't been up North for years? It must be tougher up North than here in the South, although it is getting harder here too.

[flatandy]

Jan 20, 2009 11:46:12 GMT @newyorker said:

I love stuff, can't have enough electronic gadgets n' toys, nice clothes, it's all good fun.

You see. Americans have the right idea. Gadgets, cool stuff, futuristic thingies. Look to the future, enjoy your wealth.

I think Americans and Swedes, between them, have it about right. Britons have it all, completely, wrong. Terrible place. Why did I come back over the weekend?

[VikingHumpingWitch]

I see Britain, or Britons, as slap in the middle between America and Sweden on this issue. Tasteful enough not to brag, not cripplingly ashamed of having more money than their fellow countrymen in general.

Prefer the Swedish way of not being ashamed of being paid low wages, though.

[newyorker]

Jan 20, 2009 11:53:11 GMT VikingHumpingWitch said:

I see Britain, or Britons, as slap in the middle between America and Sweden on this issue. Tasteful enough not to brag, not cripplingly ashamed of having more money than their fellow countrymen in general.

Prefer the Swedish way of not being ashamed of being paid low wages, though.

Ashamed of having MORE money? What a bizarre concept.

[flatandy]

I think you're missing what I'm complaining about VHW - it's not your attitude to your own money - boasting is tasteless.

It's your attitude to other peoples' money. I don't think the Swedes seem resentful, and the Americans certainly aren't. And because there's no societal resentment, nobody in Sweden seems to be willing to live in a crap house because, well, you know, that's character building and what we do and sensible frugalness and all that. They wouldn't be ashamed of spending money to put in a nice sauna and decent quality wood floors and large windows with good double glazing and so on.

[VikingHumpingWitch]

Swedes just think flashing your cash is exceptionally tasteless - sort of akin to showing your nipple during the Superbowl, if you like (objection to which Swedes find just as bizarre).

[flatandy]

Do they think spending cash on a decent house or some nice clothes or a good car is tasteless, though? Would they look down on someone who did.

Not someone who told you how much they spent on their sauna. Just someone who got himself a really nice one.

[VikingHumpingWitch]

Jan 20, 2009 12:02:25 GMT flatandy said:

I think you're missing what I'm complaining about VHW - it's not your attitude to your own money - boasting is tasteless.

It's your attitude to other peoples' money. I don't think the Swedes seem resentful, and the Americans certainly aren't. And because there's no societal resentment, nobody in Sweden seems to be willing to live in a poo house because, well, you know, that's character building and what we do and sensible frugalness and all that. They wouldn't be ashamed of spending money to put in a nice sauna and decent quality wood floors and large windows with good double glazing and so on.

Well it's Swedes attitude to other peoples' money too - it's not unheard of for Swedes to shop their neighbours to the tax office because their neighbour shouldn't be able to afford that car and the new driveway on their wages (and you can buy a book each year that gives everyone's income, should you wish to know what your neighbour earns). The newspapers also print a list of the top 10 earners in your local area, about three times a year. I do not understand why.

I don't think Brits live in rubbish accommodation because it's character building. I think it's partly a love of period properties, I mean who wants to be warm in winter when you can gaze up at the ceiling rose on your fabulously high ceiling, partly a lack of decent new properly insulated etc stock and partly that's what they can afford in an unregulated and insanely overpriced housing market.

[yord]

its always the gits that havnt got money that have an attitude to it