Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
Well, maybe we've had enough about European-American relations for the past week. Let's talk about European-European relations!
We know a lot about gender imbalances in China, hikikomori in Japan, 4B in Korea, and Americans screeching in existential terror at every element of the opposite sex on social media. It seems like many of the most developed parts of the world are struggling to maintain stable relationship norms, and men and women are opting out of relationships altogether at unprecedented rates. That obviously prompts the question: what about Europe?
Europeans: how do you feel about the dating and marriage situation in your part of the world? Do men and women generally couple up ok? Have dating apps caused damage? Are people isolated and on social media, or do romantic connections and friendships form more easily? More philosophically, do men and women in your country generally feel the opposite sex is trustworthy, or do they see them as more dangerous than helpful? Are there tensions over gender norms, or have people where you're from settled on a new accommodation for the relationship between men and women?
Does Scotland count? I can tell you that the social fabric is scuffed, dude.
While the actual numbers are probably lower, it feels like a third of the women there around my age are single moms, and another half unmarried even if they're in longterm relationships.
(I've learned the hard way to never assume that anyone with kids is necessarily married, or ever married, which is a safe assumption to make in India)
That being said, I haven't noticed any obvious tension between the sexes. This is the new normal, even if it strikes me as dysfunctional. The women are generally not afraid of the men, and vice versa. I haven't really seen much of a dedicated incel community, presuming there's anywhere that actually exists. Most people seem content with things.
Edit:
It's worth noting the stark class differences. The middle class usually does things the conventional way. But I seem to rub shoulders most commonly with people living in council housing (or at least they're the people most likely to invite a daft but friendly foreign doctor home from a pub) and oh boy.
Oh boy? What craziness do you see there?
Where do I begin? People starting fist fights after a bit of Bolivian Nose Candy, someone showing off his Thai girlfriend from a village without electricity about half an hour before his actual Scottish girlfriend (likely underage) showed up to pick his drunk ass up, someone telling me about his lengthy run-ins with the law, and then telling me he's the good'un, since his dad literally murdered people with grenades over football fandom disputes.
I've been in a stranger's apartment at 6 am, desperately chugging coffee to stay awake, because I didn't trust them enough to pass out in front of them. Some schizo guy telling me about his fervent patriotism for India (it was the dude with the Thai girlfriend) and general distaste for Islam. He offered to volunteer for the Indian Army if war broke out with Pakistan, and I had to gently dissuade him, telling him that if there's one thing the country doesn't lack, it's manpower.
I have stories. I've written some of them up, but I'm sitting on them for a retirement memoir, or because the GMC might dislike my openness to experience. Good times, as long as you know where the exit is.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link