Swirlygirl, I know just where you're coming from and wish I could put it in as articulate a manner.

I can only describe the things that frustrate me: I work in an environment where I have contact with people who are not working. Some of them want to change their situation and it's great to be able to help them. Lots do not - I heard two complaining this morning about having to fill in forms to get 'what they are due'. They're not disabled in any way, they're not unintelligent they just know that, if they want, they can go home and sit in front of the telly all day - and will. They know how to play the system. One got cross with a colleague the other day and was recommended to attend an anger management programme. He admitted later that the reason he became abusive was because he wasn't gettiing his own way without question.

I hate having to walk through town (a fairly small market town) on Saturday afternoon when the local team are at home. There are few actual punch-ups, but there are crowds of people getting pissed, shouting abuse at each other (or is it friendly banter?) and generally making it difficult to enjoy a pleasant afternoon mooching. I also realise that my idea of enjoyment may be different to any of the people I am talking about, but how do I deal with having them imposed on me.

It is so difficult to get through without sounding like some old whinger with Fascist leanings but somebody, please, explain to me why I have to put up with so much crap, and if I have to, how.

Sophisticated society - yeah, if by sophisticated you mean pretentious.

Decadent - absulutely falling to bits.

Civilised - I don't think so.

Desert island anyone?