Have I Missed Something?

[Citroënbender]

The sheer number of unhappy people I've encountered in recent weeks, surprises and concerns me. (And they are not unhappy simply as a result of meeting me...)

All walks of life, the demographic as observed seems to be approximately 40-65, gender irrelevant.

What the heck is going on? Is it something on TV or social media that's feeding this undercurrent?

[JasonACT]

I notice you've been "shopping" around for quite a few things recently.. I'd ask, does anything change if you stop haggling and agree with their preferred price?

[Citroënbender]

I often actually end up buying something - as opposed to those who talk it up then spend nothing. :P (I don't envy your side enterprise one iota!)

But my topic is serious; it's disturbing to encounter so many people presently disposed to melancholy.

[JasonACT]

In terms of what I could earn by doing overtime at work, these devices don't make me any real money (and one of the models doesn't really earn me anything). But I'd rather do what I enjoy in my own time than do more of my day job.

Yes, and meet a happy person because of it.

My nightmare may actually be too many requests all at once. That isn't happening, so I'm happy to assemble one every now and again. Anyway, it's nice to know I can send out another one quickly if someone has trouble with theirs, as long as they agree to send any troublesome one back.

I dunno about your topic though, seems I'm meeting happier people.

[snap0964]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

What the heck is going on? Is it something on TV or social media that's feeding this undercurrent?

Yeah, probably both, along with the state of the economy and cost of living, and people feel the politicians have lost touch with the ordinary person. I think the Climate change religion has taken over as well - people are not versed in the facts. Free speech doesn't seem to be allowed anymore either.

[.:4:.]

One thing i have noticed, now this is a general statement. People want to be heard, but dont want to listen. Just self centred kind of stuff. Want everybody to hear about a crap go but dont listen to others or care about others, then wonder why others dont listen to them or care. I was talking to a receptionist about clients and the general consensus is you ask how are you, nobody cares how you actually are. A simple good thanks regardless is all thats needed.

[JasonACT]

That might be true. We have a cafe at work, the ladies always ask "how are you" and I always reply like that and then also ask how they are before placing my order. I don't often hear that from the people in front of me. I usually end up getting "over served" though. I can never finish my lunch.

@Ol' Bender - see, it is you!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

The sheer number of unhappy people I've encountered in recent weeks, surprises and concerns me. (And they are not unhappy simply as a result of meeting me...)

All walks of life, the demographic as observed seems to be approximately 40-65, gender irrelevant.

What the heck is going on? Is it something on TV or social media that's feeding this undercurrent?

Economic slowdown in Melbourne - people are hardly spending, what money is around has to be fought for tooth and nail, negligible wage growth, cost of living, I speak to Repco/Burson and workshops Victoria wide Monday-Friday and I'm always scoping out the play, there's hardly anything going on anywhere - just the very essentials in the auto industry anyway.

[roKWiz]

It is $$$ydney, C.B.

Give em a break, most of them are having sleepless nights thinking about how they're going to pay for the 750 000 mortgage, kids private school education, commuting and all the other crap they are in debt with.

I keep saying move to the country mate.

edit...either that or its all the crying on reality TV shows getting to them.

[Yellow_Festiva]

The world is going to stool.... (the other word I wanted to use would have got removed).

* People in units worried about cladding.
* People in jobs worrying about job security.
* People wanting to buy a property can't.
* Older people with cash invested are losing money.
* Tomorrow I can 'decide' to be a woman if I so choose.
* Younger people living with their parents into their 30's.
* As soon as we buy our new phone the next model has just been released.
* Many couples end in divorce - a soul destroying experience in itself.
* People are scared to spend due to uncertainty.
* Online platforms make us anti social by nature - we are starting to no longer know how to actually interact with humans.
* Information overload makes us confused. 1 week it's OK to eat this, the next week it's killing us.
* Turn on the news - nothing but killers, con artists and rapists getting light sentences but do something trivial and you get hammered.
* More and more people making money from nothing and losing it and more.
* Men not having relationships from fear of losing the lot.
* the 'green' agenda and its implications.
* 2 parents working full time to just scrape through - ever increasing bills for power, water, gas, fuel, food, transport, insurance, entertainment, holidays etc.
* Those with loans are enjoying record low interest rates while also watching their property drop in value.
* We need to watch everything we say and do in case it offends someone - and be ready to apologize because its cheaper to do so than fight for the right to free speech.
* We are walking around expected to be conned, lied to, scammed, ripped off, tricked and manipulated - so much so that the last honest people are being looked upon with great fear and trepidation that they are actually fake and lulling someone into a false sense of security.
* No one seems to take pride in their work or their word any more.
* ME ME ME rules the roost at any expense.
* We are being tracked, watched, listened to, spied upon and scrutinized by various organisations for our 'benefit'.
* People worried about their parents because we are living longer thanks to science and medicine.
* People worried for their kids because of all the above.

There is probably more....

How many of the above directly effect or concern you?

Do you blame people for being unhappy?

[JasonACT]

Just checking back in, what have I missed? (Sorry, I was just off for a while slaughtering my own lamb for dinner!)

[Citroënbender]

Good stuff - and I'm a vegetarian of 30+ years. The tragically low price of good Aussie meat at the supermarket is something which bothers me - I can buy fresh beef to feed the cat (he gets 85g/day) for a pittance. Underpaid farmers can't afford good land care.

[JasonACT]

I haven't eaten beef since 2007. I did dice up two half lamb legs for tonight's curry though... Which will last me the next fortnight (along with the paprika chicken dish I made last night). It was my cooking weekend.

[JasonACT]

Almost done:

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by JasonACT

Almost done:

image

Looks bloody good mate.

Just don't show it to a vegan in case you offend them

[marty351]

I can smell it from here.

[Citroënbender]

Clearly a home-made sauce; not overcoloured and starchy.

Had (potato) curry myself tonight. Must be the season for it.

[marty351]

Love a good aloo gobi.

[94_ef]

Curry season extends into summer, autumn, winter, and spring.

[marty351]

That being said, curry IS the season.

[XD 351 Ute]

Originally Posted by JasonACT

Almost done:

image

Bender needs a Citroen beside him...

Ed

[JasonACT]

[roKWiz]

Cracked it, they're all urbanized grey nomads.