Editorial: Problems given some perspective

Being served the 'worst flat white in history' is certainly a first world problem.

Last year was as memorable as it was forgettable.

Ebola, acts of depravity from Boko Haram and its ilk, the football World Cup, Robin Williams' untimely demise, commercial aviation tragedies and (on a personal front) me being served the worst flat white in history.

The expression is "First World Problems" - undoubtedly the saying of 2014.

Being old, I first heard the expression early last year. I soon noticed it bandied about on social media and shortened to the acronym FWP before picking up serious steam.

The online Urban Dictionary defines it as: Problems from living in a wealthy, industrialised nation that third worlders would probably roll their eyes at.

Alternatively: When you already have a substantial amount of what you need , yet you complain about the quality and the type you want.

Initially, at least when directed at me, I found the expression condescending.

When you air something with a view to vent, there's nothing more confronting than being told the gripe is trivial.

But I see it as encouraging. Particularly when it comes from the younger generation (otherwise known as Generation Me), who in 2014 seemed prone to use this phrase to remind us older crew that perspective is a great thing.

Considering the new year's international news has been dominated with man's inhumanity to man, the sentiment is timely.

Last year a reader chided me and cited FWP after I wrote about the above bad coffee. Likewise, my kids say "FWP" when I complain about birds eating our plums, or when I curse my overdone potatoes.

Following last week's attacks, I'm guessing first-world Parisians would say, touché.