When Poland joined the EU in 2004 it seemed half the country moved here everytime you walked past a building site it was full of poles but now I very rarely meet any

Obviously we have left the EU but they had the right to remain but it seems the majority have gone home. I always defended Polish migration because they were hard workers imo

I'm Italian, born in 1992, and lately I've been thinking about how much life has changed in such a short time, when I was growing up, I'd knock on one friend's door, then another, then another. Before you knew it, there'd be ten of us heading to the football pitch with absolutely no idea what we'd be doing afterwards.

No WhatsApp groups, no checking everyone's location, no recording every stupid thing we did.

We had practically nothing, yet somehow we were never short of things to do.

Don't get me wrong, we did plenty of stupid stuff, and I'm sure nostalgia makes everything seem better than it actually was.

But sometimes I wonder whether all this technology has made life more convenient without necessarily making us happier.

We can contact practically anyone in the world within seconds, yet something about those spontaneous days feels increasingly distant.

I'd especially love to hear from people who grew up in Britain in the 60s, 70s or 80s.

Was life genuinely more carefree back then, or do we all just miss being young?

There are 200k refugees from ukraine and 170k from hong kong according to official data. Yet, I haven't heard any problem about them. Why is that?

Long time lurker but noticed a huge increase in posts relating to America, or comparisons between the US and the UK. Has it always been like this, or are we seeing b0ts such as the pro far right and Russian/ Israeli ones that dominate other subs?

Anyone noticed how our adverts and other media has a very heavy emphasis on mixed race couples. That is fine but why are these couples always Black and White couples dominantly ?

Black people seem to be overrepresented on British telly and ads, than say Indians who ALSO have a long, rich history with Britain.

Are other minorities not important enough to show “ diversity “ ?

Britain is more Indian than Black statistically ( 8% vs 4% ) but our TV and ads will make you think it’s more black.

FYI I don’t have anything against Black and white couples. Just an observation and I’m curious.

I feel torn when writing this because I don’t like singling out people, but I have recently moved back to London and have been taken aback by the sheer amount of newly migrated South Asian service workers in London, especially Indian. Every single place within zone 1-3 seems to have employees who clearly weren’t born here, mostly men. I left a few years after covid and never felt this, most south asians working were locals or maybe some aunties and uncles who are a bit older. But it’s a whole different vibe, service is leas personal, english is worse, barely hear any brits working normal jobs anymore.

I understand it’s the Boris wave and the consequence of Brexit, but the UK seems like a totally different place than when I came 10 years ago. Not necessarily bad but also I feel much less connected to the UK. It’s only really the pub, a local chicken shop or maybe some bougie business where it still feels like London.

I’m honestly not trying to make this a race thing, but more a culture thing, it just feels less welcoming. I also hear so many bad things about the job market and young people being unemployed and I can’t help think that those jobs would be perfect for people inbetween jobs or starting out, or part-time. If anything, we’re just keeping wages low because instead of forcing employers (through unions), to pay more the uk is just importing cheap labour

Also not here for some random racist or discriminatory comments, honestly value real answers, whether political or personal

Saw this on the bus ride and this lady had her bare feet on another seat and was talking loudly on her phone on speaker in a different language. I wanted to call her out but wasn’t sure if she understood English and feared of being harassed. What would you do when people exhibit anti-social behaviors like this?

"More room for the tea leaves to move around" etc... etc...

All that, and now what? They're just on lockdown in a flat bag? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've noticed Brits would rather put themselves through absolute hell than risk an awkward conversation 😂

Come on, what's the worst situation you've ever politely suffered through?

I'm not kidding I'm not even british but you guys have the most visually appealing flag ever, how do you achieve this aura?

What are your thoughts on this situation right now? It’s exploded over the weekend, 58 years since the student revolution of 1968. Seems like the French protests have taken centre stage in the wider Gen Z protests occurring across the world, and which have finally hit Europe this summer. What could this mean for Britain?

Could be something from your childhood, an old shop, a tradition, or just the way things used to be.

Something that seemed completely ordinary back then, but you'd give anything to experience one more time.

What's yours?

My smartwatch died recently and I really cba replacing it but I do fancy a new analogue watch and I'm wondering if anyone else has done the same?

And the fires looting and carnage that we see now?

The oversaturation of podcasts has bewildered me for the last few years and I struggle to see how people find the time to listen to them.

That said, I've never said there's an oversaturation of movies or TV shows 🤷

I found Malta to be extremely friendly and accommodating, meanwhile France seemed a bit aloof and condescending

I need to take some gifts to friends overseas.
So much to consider.
Am already overweight and going to have to pay for extra luggage. So has to be lightweight.
I have to buy quite a few gifts which means it can’t be an expensive item.
Not everyone has a sweet tooth and anyway taking food items abroad may present a challenge.
I’m thinking about things like Argyle socks or aspirational reusable shopping bags.
Any suggestions at this point are most welcome.

A cucumber will fuck me up so fast! Also pesto, pesto is bad

I'm 30M. I had been living in london for the past 2 and a half years sharing with some friends. But that fell apart so I've had to move back home to my parents around bristol recently while I figure out what's next. I still work in london and just commute down when needed.

I'm single. So I feel like I'd like to go back to london as that really gives my best chance to find someone. The dating scene is crap here for someone my age. And it's also better career options.

But I don't want to share with randoms anymore. I have enough saved up to buy, but I don't really want to buy in london. I make 68k a year and that doesn't really seem to get anything much except somewhere really depressing in london.

I've also never lived by myself. I'm not great at getting out there. And my friends in london are really too busy for me most of the time.

I don't really like my job but feel quite stuck in it.

I don't really know what to do. I'm starting to feel quite overwhelmed, anxious and depressed.

They would do the same. Or possibly a Europe wide sanction.