But (as you know, Mate) I agree with Neil's sentiments about "Western" countries ... but I had best not get started!
The way I keep my own sanity intact (?) is to avoid "society" as much as possible (you know, the Neds, Chavs, the
*Pikies, the "Aliens" - illegal or otherwise - and the rest of the
dross that clutter up the [over-crowded] place) and to regard England in the same way as I would view any other Third World country. You know, as a bystander, a visitor. That way I can handle it (well, just about).
I regret to say that, in the fullness of time, NZ (and even Oz, large as it is) will become the same. That is, reduced to the lowest common denominator. Canada is already well down that road, of course. And the US (as with everything else it seems), is already streets ahead!
*
Not really worth a capital P by rights.
