I asked people on Instagram for their unpopular opinions about the UK, and they gave me plenty to argue with. Some were things I’d complained about myself. Others attacked things I loved. Living here as a Canadian doesn’t mean I love every part of British life, but I wasn’t about to agree that we needed fewer coffee shops.

The weather complaint I recognised

One response said British people complained about everything, especially the weather. Too hot, too cold, too wet. I recognised that because I did it too. Weather was such an easy thing to talk about that I’d complain without really thinking. I could understand someone finding it draining. Constantly pointing out that it was raining didn’t help anything, and I decided I should try to complain slightly less.

That didn’t mean I agreed with every defence of British weather. Someone argued that it was the best in the world because it didn’t have extremes, and I politely disagreed. Another person loved gloomy, rainy days. I could get behind that in winter, when I was at home with a cup of tea, a fuzzy blanket and something to watch. It felt cosy. I wouldn’t want it all the time, though. That would drive me mad.

The air-conditioning opinion was one I agreed with. I kept hearing that the UK only had a couple of hot days a year, but my experience of summer here was uncomfortable. I missed having air conditioning at home in Canada. The previous spring I’d bought a cheap, discounted unit that could cool one room, and I put it in the bedroom. I could sleep in a cool room, even if I was still sweating during the day. I wanted somewhere to escape the heat in my own home.

Please keep the coffee shops

Someone said there were stupid coffee shops everywhere and we didn’t need any more. Absolutely not. I loved coffee shops. One of my goals that year was to visit more local ones around Kent, including places that roasted their own coffee. I’d happily go out for a coffee and a pastry or sausage roll, take a book, or meet a friend.

My complaint was about finding a seat. I’d arrive and all the tables would be taken. The places I was visiting could be small, especially compared with what I was used to in North America, and I’d be left thinking that I only wanted somewhere to sit and read. I wanted more opportunities to enjoy a coffee shop, not fewer of them. I preferred coffee to tea, although tea could still be lovely on a gloomy day.

A chippy tea can disappoint me

The food opinions were more complicated. Someone said the anticipation of fish and chips was always better than actually eating it. I knew that feeling. After a horrible day, perhaps with deadlines and work to deal with, I might decide to treat myself to something from the chippy. Then I’d get it home and find it soggy. Had the fish been sitting there too long? I didn’t know. It wasn’t every time, but it happened enough for me to understand the complaint.

I still loved a Sunday roast, despite the responses calling it overrated or saying a barbecue was better. A roast could be disappointing too, particularly if I went to a pub and it wasn’t good. That didn’t stop me liking the meal. I hadn’t had a barbecue in a long time because we didn’t have a back garden, and I also wondered how often the rain would spoil that alternative.

There was one breakfast opinion I could support completely: beans belonged beside the toast. I wanted to scoop them onto a bit of toast as I ate, rather than have them soaking into the whole slice. Soggy toast was the problem. Keeping the beans to the side let me keep the toast crisp, and that was how I wanted it.

Loving London without wanting to live there

Two responses defended London against its critics. One called it the best city in the world; another suggested everyone elsewhere was jealous. I thought London was incredible. There was so much to see, do, drink and taste, and whenever I mentioned it there seemed to be people ready to tell me they hated it.

I could love visiting London and still never want to live there. I preferred a smaller town or village, the countryside or somewhere coastal. That was my preference, not a reason to dismiss everything the city offered. The same went for the other opinions. I could complain about a soggy chippy tea, defend coffee shops and enjoy a rainy afternoon, while still wanting a cool bedroom when summer arrived.

Watch my response to unpopular opinions about the UK.