Today
Recently, I read that over 30,000 Brits become American citizens each year. I’ll try and find the source. I think it was on one of the “British Expats in America” sites.
As british person I think we do have a sense of pride but we tend to disaggregate it a bit so people are proud of being english , welsh etc but don’t always identify with being British. I also think that we most of us are brought up in quite a conservative way, which restricts the way we express ourselves.
For instance, I have lots of conversations with Australians, kiwis etc usually about sport where they all get worked up about beating the english but I think that , in quite an arogant way, most english/british people will be thinking as the aussie/kiwi tries to take the p*ss, " so what, what else have you done", knowing that Britain has done alot (and still does)
I think you only appreciate your country when you go abroad (especially when u spend time living abroad), then you realise britain has a lot going for it - culture, people, sense of humour, sports, pubs, cheap flights to Europe…
I’m proud that I’m not British.
Is that an aussie accent I hear?
Looking in history books I was surprised to find being “Anglo-Saxon” means to be Danish-German.
Or … “Germanic”. Mr. He makes it “Vikings”, as they belonged to the Germanic people family.
Wasn’t it like this: Roman out, Scots and Picts slaugthered everyone in reach. Then someone (probably an early Blackadder) hat the idea to call the Germanics for help.
Dear oh Dear …
He… stop… I am not serious! I love England! Got family there! Really … shit where is the Union Jack here before the Sun Readers start a Germany rant … aaaarg…
[quote=“Hobbes”]- Are people from the UK so proud of their country, and so genuinely confident that they feel no need to
I think that living abroad gives us (Brits) the chance to sample other ways of life, obviously. I’ve lived in Oz and Taiwan, and had the opportunity to visit 26 countries. Both experiences have been vastly different of course, but one thing that always is mentioned by non British people is how great Britain is. In the past I’ve knocked the crappy food, weather, transport, education, price of housing etc.etc. But at the end of the day if I run into someone who wants to chat about England then I’m more than happy to say that it is okay. In Britain we are given the chance to live a good life, the supporting factor of this is education, and even though we knock it; we are all educated to a comparitively high standard.
Right now, I see Britain as “home” even though I don’t live there. The chances of going back permanently are 4/10 but the desire to go back is more like 1/10. Like everywhere it has its good and bad points. This may sound pathetic, but the weather has a lot to do with my moods. I would love to live in a country where I see the sun more than twice a year, if I have to sacrifice some part of my life for this pleasure; then be it so.
As for “British Pride” you have two extreems - the top hat, pipe smoking, “An English man’s home is his castle” type, and bulldog t-shirt wearing “England’s foooking great”. Stereotypical, I know. Even if they don’t wear said costumes the attitude is still there. As for the majority? Well, ask anyone from the UK, mostly they’ll find something to be proud of. Here are a couple of things I think Britain excels in - Performing Arts and Architecture.
So, ask me if I’m proud to be British I’d have to say “Mostly”. But, but, but I’ve not lived there for close on three years and wonder if I could just be getting a little sentimental. I don’t think there is a definative answer to this interesting question. I think that to really get to the point you’d have to ask people that live there.However, how can you know what’s good or bad if you haven’t seen an alternative?
I’m not even going to start on this thread…
Great Britain. The NO. 1 SUPERPOWER. Enough said!
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. A few quick replies:
- the Renton Rant: quick, on-target, and eloquently put as usual man-o
[quote]- D
I for one will certainly be holding my breath. 
I’ve been avoiding you. Go away.
(I hope you turn blue and keel over, by the way).
Sadly, I’ve never been. But I mean to correct that sometime in the future, as I am a confirmed anglophile in many respects. The United Kingdom and Ireland (hope this construction doesn’t cause offense) have no peers internationally in the fields of literature, modern post-war music, and humour.
But then, you knew that.
PP:
Hope you are not disappointed when you meet the Travellers and Dangermouses (mice) of the UK! haha
