I don't think they recognise it here, in England, but in New Zealand, (and probably Australia), people often suffer from a condition they call SAD. It's supposedly caused by lack of sunshine, and dull, or dark days. Something I can understand only too well. Although it is a Southern Hemisphere condition, apparently. Where it causes depression, and other associated problems to large numbers of people, every year. I can't imagine they would not recognise it here, but I have not heard of it. Or, of anyone complaining of it. It's silly really, because we have more dark days, lack of sunshine, and generally longer winters, than they do. So, the truth is, that we have plenty to complain about in terms of lack of light, and sun. Or, as it seems permissible to do, to become depressed about, as they do abroad.
Mind you, complaining is something we, the English, perhaps I should say the British, are good at. During the years I lived in Australia, I often heard tell of whinging poms. Which, did embarrass me a little. As in 'another whinging pom'. The name, POM, the Aussies especially, call the British. They assert it's a friendly overture, no insult intended. My Father, who lived there too, used to get extremely irritated by the epithet. POM, of course, stands for 'Prisoner Of Mother (England)'. Which, of course, is not the British person today, but those ancestors of present day Australians. Those men, and women, sent out originally as prisoners, from English goals. Condemned from England for terms of seven years, to life. It was in fact, a clear case of the pot, calling the kettle black. A fact, my father, a 'died in the wool' Londerer, was quick to point out. Which of course, just singled him out as another whinging pom! It was an argument he couldn't win, as most used it without thought, or probably, malice.
As for the whinging bit, well as. I said, we, as a race, are good at complaining. The old establishment figures, complaining about the old establishment. The old guys, especially, (and ladies, not to be sexist), are prolific letter writers to newspapers, and such. Only look at 'The Times', or 'The Guardian' newspapers, letter pages. In fact, the older I get, the more I feel the urge to write, and complain about untenable situations building! Or, perhaps I'm diverting in right now, into the modern form, A Blog. Or, complain even the everyday things, those that get the steam coming out of my ears. Why not, indeed, if it's something you have to deal with on an almost daily basis, why should you swallow it without complaint. How do things ever change if you don't complain, if you don't say what's wrong. Therefore, as I said, we really are very good at, or perhaps, just habitual complainers.
Returning to the subject of the sun, and how pleasant it is, brings home to me how wonderful it is to live somewhere where the sun shines more often, and is in general, hotter. A condition, or should I say situation, I am putting my energy into changing right now. No one is forced to stay in a cold country, not if they don't enjoy it. Hense my plans for moving to a warmer climate. Although, if you cannot organise that in your life, then what do you do? Either suffer from SAD, or complain, it seems.
It also gives me the idea of why we perhaps don't suffer from the condition of SAD, as the Southern Hemisphere admits to. After all, we are lucky if we get four hours of full daylight a day, in mid winter. With the lack of warmth from the sun, even worse. It sounds to me, as if this lack of light, and/or sun builds up, until it becomes a physical, or mental health problem to people effected. Something they, we are told, need help dealing with. Perhaps the reason we (the English) don't suffer, or I have not heard of it. Is because we DO complain. Instead of letting things build up, and become problematic, we have a good moan. Letting off steam, if you will. I know it helps me, although it's a habit, I am trying to break.
That's a good theory isn't, it solves the problem of why we complain so much..so others say. Also explaining why we don't get too depressed about our abominable weather. Which, has to be a good thing, doesn't it?
As for the complaining, or the moaning, it is mainly a habit, it's not because we are an unhappy race, or angry. It's like a barking dog, it makes lots of noise, but does little harm.
Except, maybe, for being annoying...oops, sorry about that everyone.
At least we are not on antidepressants for the weather, and lack of sun! Or, the present figures, at least are not further inflated.
VIVA LA SUN!
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