It would be more of a joke if there was a connection between "west" and "terfs".

> Here in the UK, there is a significant section of the population whose base state is mildly dissatisfied and the external manifestation of that is low level grumbling about minor things

Does that have a name? What causes it? Is it a proud cultural tradition, or more a sort of disease?

I'd say it's cultural. Stiff upper lip and all that. It would be impolite or even confrontational to complain about something, so you have a little moan instead.

A common response to the question "how are you?" is "could be worse". I've always felt this is a good example of British culture, though maybe it's not so simple to understand if you've not lived here.

A casual moan about the weather or the fact that the potholes only ever get haphazardly filled in a week before people need to re-justify their budgets for the following year is a great way to blow off a little steam while building social bonds with the people around you.

These mild inconveniences are perfect when filling dead air with a friend or passing the time with a stranger at the bus stop (it's always 5 bloody minutes late, why do they even bother with the digital signage if it's always wrong? Ah well, it is what it is).

As for causes, you'll get many varying answers, from Thatcher to that just being how it goes.