UK & England?

[Straznicy]

What about a Northern Irishman, not only do some not want to be or labelled as british but they're not even from mainland Britain, if that's what you meant. If you meant that a scotsman woudn't get offended because he was from the United Kingdom of Great Britain then that's different isn't it because there may be some who don't like being labelled as British. But if you meant they're British because they're from mainland Britain then that's true.

 

You get me?

The situation in Northern Ireland isn't about Northern Ireland becoming independent (that's a very lowly supported idea) but whether it should remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland.

[Tommy-Vercetti19]

 

 

I mean what possesses you to tuck trackies into socks, wear your trousers by your knees

Playing football? I do it all the time when I'm playing but not wearing shorts. I don't know what motivates people to do it with normal (non-football) socks outside of playing the game though.

This is beacause of habit, my dad played and managed football teams for over 40 years now. It's just habbit for him to tuck his socks in when he's wearing tracksuit bottoms.

[Sanjeem]

 

What about a Northern Irishman, not only do some not want to be or labelled as british but they're not even from mainland Britain, if that's what you meant. If you meant that a scotsman woudn't get offended because he was from the United Kingdom of Great Britain then that's different isn't it because there may be some who don't like being labelled as British. But if you meant they're British because they're from mainland Britain then that's true.

 

You get me?

The situation in Northern Ireland isn't about Northern Ireland becoming independent (that's a very lowly supported idea) but whether it should remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland.

Thanks for clearing that up, I heard that somwhere but I wasn't sure. I personally don't like being called British because I feel that I'm all Scotish, Welsh, N Irish and English which just isn't true. it doesn't make me all of those but it's one of those things where people are fussy about how their viewed. Ethnically i'm 1/8 English and born in England. My Parents like to call themselves and me British but if anything I prefer English, because that's where we live, that's where I was born, and really our family haven't got any relations or connections of any sort with the rest of the United Kingdom.

[chiginesh]

Alright lads. Thanks for clearing that up!

[Darkconnor55]

 

I don't consider myself British at all. I'm an Englishman. I as born here, raised here and care about my country a great deal. I consider being called 'British' mildly insulting. I would never call a Scotsman or a Welshman 'British'. They have their own history, their own culture. And no one has the right to try to rob them of their heritage. Which is what I see the 'United Kingdom' as doing.

It's a fundementally stupid idea.

i sort of agree.Howver i think all countries should be independent but together? as in when we goto war we go together but make new laws and stuff ourselves.

 

Im really proud of my heritage.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Darkconnor55

[Mark]

 

And as for the UK robbing them of they're culture....jesus christ , these countries still exist , but they need funding from london to stay stable , the UK is just a name . They can still call themselves welsh or scottish , just because it says british on they're passport it doesn't change anything

It does change things, though. It means we've constantly got this bloated mutant 'union' shoved in our face when all we want is to be seperate. Seperate but equal. There's too much bitterness, too much jealousy.

I would rather enjoy Scotland as a friendly neighbour than a resentful brother. Just because they give us a hodgepodge flag, call us 'British' and wish for the best, it doesn't necessarily mean we're going to become British. It's an affront to our national dignity. Just like our membership in the European Union.

There's nothing stopping you calling yourself English. All 'we' want? Speak for yourself, I wish to be British thank you. Apart from banter, I don't see any separation between us all. Certainly not any bitterness. Local government policy is local government policy. If they wish to allocate their funds a different way to England, that's up to them.

[Zyo]

I am Scottish (and prefer to be referred to as such), but also I don't mind being called British as I am from one of the countries that make up Great Britain. I don't greatly appreciate it when someone assumes I am from england, for example when I am on holiday and they hear I speak english......

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure but one question, why on passports or (I've heard it or seen it somewhere) it sais "The United kingdom and Northern Ireland".

 

I think it says "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"

United Kingdom = Scotland, Wales, England and N.I.

Great Britian = Scotland, Wales and England

 

 

 

 

 

these countries still exist , but they need funding from london to stay stable

 

The facts are Scotland need england , separation would give a lot of problems , pretty sure they would have to borrow money

This is arguable. It is like saying any one country couldnt exist without getting support from outside. Scotland for example may (I am not saying it certaily would) be able to support itself quite alright. There are very strong finance and tech industries in place and also an important factor is The North Sea Oil and Gas fields that provide ALL of the U.K with enormous amounts of revenue. It has also been the case for several years that Scotland provides more tax revenue than it received public expenditure. So it is unlikely we would be much worse off. Norway for example has managed to fiancially establish itself as one of the richest countries in the world useing its Oil and Gas revenues.

 

However things could go arse over tit, a separate Scottish £ could devalue, living costs could skyrocket ect ect.

 

Scotland is already quite "separate" from the rest of the UK in some ways and has been for some time. Totally distinct system of Laws, different education system, and different funding for further education, our own banknotes issued by major banks, The Bank of Scotland, The Royal bank, and the Clydesdale bank, among other things.

 

 

 

 

Apart from banter, I don't see any separation between us all

This is mostly the case I agree, despite a very small minority who do actually "hate" the english, it is really mostly a bit of friendly banter.

Edited July 7, 2011 by zyonig

[dills]

And as for the UK robbing them of they're culture....jesus christ , these countries still exist , but they need funding from london to stay stable , the UK is just a name . They can still call themselves welsh or scottish , just because it says british on they're passport it doesn't change anything

It does change things, though. It means we've constantly got this bloated mutant 'union' shoved in our face when all we want is to be seperate. Seperate but equal. There's too much bitterness, too much jealousy.

I would rather enjoy Scotland as a friendly neighbour than a resentful brother. Just because they give us a hodgepodge flag, call us 'British' and wish for the best, it doesn't necessarily mean we're going to become British. It's an affront to our national dignity. Just like our membership in the European Union.

There's nothing stopping you calling yourself English. All 'we' want? Speak for yourself, I wish to be British thank you. Apart from banter, I don't see any separation between us all. Certainly not any bitterness. Local government policy is local government policy. If they wish to allocate their funds a different way to England, that's up to them.

As I play a lot of PC games online with Americans I'm used to being called British, whilst technically that is correct, I still prefer it if they refer to me as English. I assumed most people also preferred to be referred to as Welsh, Scottish etc. rather than British but I guess that may not be the case, to each their own.

[Kwandilibro]

And all this time, I thought the British countries were united like the states of America. I was also convinced that Britain and England were synonymous.

[Straznicy]

Apart from banter, I don't see any separation between us all

This is mostly the case I agree, despite a very small minority who do actually "hate" the english, it is really mostly a bit of friendly banter.

I think there's very few people left in Scotland that hate the English.

 

Not sure I'd agree with there being no distinctions between us though. For me all you have to do is look at the make-up of the Scottish Parliament and House of Commons to determine that; the Tories are the most-supported party in England whilst here they're little more than a laughing stock. That's indicative of differences in social attitudes if you ask me.

 

[sivispacem]

Not sure I'd agree with there being no distinctions between us though. For me all you have to do is look at the make-up of the Scottish Parliament and House of Commons to determine that; the Tories are the most-supported party in England whilst here they're little more than a laughing stock. That's indicative of differences in social attitudes if you ask me.

But that's not really a difference between the two countries. It's primarily derived of a combination of two factors- the fact that in recent history Scotland has seen itself as predominantly "working class" and continues to do so in many cases and quarters, and a long-term reaction to the policies of Thatcher, who severely limited the primary and secondary bands of the Scottish economy with the closure of shipyards and other heavy industry. That's not a distinction per se. Go to an old Welsh mining town and the sentiments are exactly the same...

[Mark]

Not sure I'd agree with there being no distinctions between us though. For me all you have to do is look at the make-up of the Scottish Parliament and House of Commons to determine that; the Tories are the most-supported party in England whilst here they're little more than a laughing stock. That's indicative of differences in social attitudes if you ask me.

But that's not really a difference between the two countries. It's primarily derived of a combination of two factors- the fact that in recent history Scotland has seen itself as predominantly "working class" and continues to do so in many cases and quarters, and a long-term reaction to the policies of Thatcher, who severely limited the primary and secondary bands of the Scottish economy with the closure of shipyards and other heavy industry. That's not a distinction per se. Go to an old Welsh mining town and the sentiments are exactly the same...

Or some parts of northern England for that matter.

[TheNathanNS]

i am very proud to be English

i am part Irish due to my Dad's genes

i am part Welsh due to my Nan's Brother

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

 

[sivispacem]

 

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

You are a juvenile version of this man-

-And I claim my five pounds.

 

[TheNathanNS]

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

You are a juvenile version of this man-

-And I claim my five pounds.

you are very lucky im calm today

 

why do some people think the irish are always drunk and fighting? Ireland aint full of drunks who constantly fight

 

i had people who sterotype Ireland as that

[Luna Fortuna]

 

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

You are a juvenile version of this man-

-And I claim my five pounds.

you are very lucky im calm today

 

why do some people think the irish are always drunk and fighting? Ireland aint full of drunks who constantly fight

 

i had people who sterotype Ireland as that

If that irish comment was directed a sivispacem . The quote you posted has nothing to do with the Irish.

[sivispacem]

 

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

You are a juvenile version of this man-

-And I claim my five pounds.

you are very lucky im calm today

 

why do some people think the irish are always drunk and fighting? Ireland aint full of drunks who constantly fight

 

i had people who sterotype Ireland as that

As usual, you've utterly missed the point. The image is of Nick Griffin, head of the BNP and deluded anti-European neo-Fascist extraordinaire. I never implied anything to do with Irish nationality- I'm part Irish myself- just that referring to how you are "proud to be British" in a French lesson smacks of mildly self-deluding racism. Tell me, why are you proud of being English? Can you even justify it or are you just playing to the idiotic, overtly nationalist themes that many low-life knuckle-draggers in the UK use to disguise their personal failures and shortcomings under a thinly veiled racist hysteria?

[TheNathanNS]

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

You are a juvenile version of this man-

-And I claim my five pounds.

you are very lucky im calm today

 

why do some people think the irish are always drunk and fighting? Ireland aint full of drunks who constantly fight

 

i had people who sterotype Ireland as that

As usual, you've utterly missed the point. The image is of Nick Griffin, head of the BNP and deluded anti-European neo-Fascist extraordinaire. I never implied anything to do with Irish nationality- I'm part Irish myself- just that referring to how you are "proud to be British" in a French lesson smacks of mildly self-deluding racism. Tell me, why are you proud of being English? Can you even justify it or are you just playing to the idiotic, overtly nationalist themes that many low-life knuckle-draggers in the UK use to disguise their personal failures and shortcomings under a thinly veiled racist hysteria?

i dont like Politics

i am NOT racist

why would my comment about Ireland be directed towards you? i saw pages on facebook about the irish thats why i posted my previous comment

i am proud to be british because i was born and raised in England

also not everyone in England has a idiotic, overtly nationalist theme like you said

only the drug addicts, people who think they are hard and chavs have that theme

 

[OchyGTA]

but i am mainly English and proud of it like i constantly reference in my french lessons

You are a juvenile version of this man-

-And I claim my five pounds.

you are very lucky im calm today

 

why do some people think the irish are always drunk and fighting? Ireland aint full of drunks who constantly fight

 

i had people who sterotype Ireland as that

As usual, you've utterly missed the point. The image is of Nick Griffin, head of the BNP and deluded anti-European neo-Fascist extraordinaire. I never implied anything to do with Irish nationality- I'm part Irish myself- just that referring to how you are "proud to be British" in a French lesson smacks of mildly self-deluding racism. Tell me, why are you proud of being English? Can you even justify it or are you just playing to the idiotic, overtly nationalist themes that many low-life knuckle-draggers in the UK use to disguise their personal failures and shortcomings under a thinly veiled racist hysteria?

Woah, tad extreme to liken him to Nick Griffin just cos he's proud of being English. jeez calm the f*ck down

[sivispacem]

 

why would my comment about Ireland be directed towards you? i saw pages on facebook about the irish thats why i posted my previous comment

i am proud to be british because i was born and raised in England

also not everyone in England has a  idiotic, overtly nationalist theme like you said

only the drug addicts, people who think they are hard and  chavs have that theme

I never sodding mentioned anything about Ireland. It was you who implied that I stereotyped the Irish.

But why does that make you proud to be English? Just because you were born somewhere doesn't give you a justification to be proud of it. Content you were born there? Happy about it? Yeah, but not proud. Having pride in something required having an understanding in it.

And I think you misunderstand not only the point I was making, but also just how many people in the UK hold radically nationalist or even racist views.

 

@OchyGTA- I didn't liken him to Nick Griffin because he said he was proud to be British, but because he implied that the time he chose to express these views was in a foreign language lesson.

[OchyGTA]

why would my comment about Ireland be directed towards you? i saw pages on facebook about the irish thats why i posted my previous comment

i am proud to be british because i was born and raised in England

also not everyone in England has a  idiotic, overtly nationalist theme like you said

only the drug addicts, people who think they are hard and  chavs have that theme

I never sodding mentioned anything about Ireland. It was you who implied that I stereotyped the Irish.

But why does that make you proud to be English? Just because you were born somewhere doesn't give you a justification to be proud of it. Content you were born there? Happy about it? Yeah, but not proud. Having pride in something required having an understanding in it.

And I think you misunderstand not only the point I was making, but also just how many people in the UK hold radically nationalist or even racist views.

 

@OchyGTA- I didn't liken him to Nick Griffin because he said he was proud to be British, but because he implied that the time he chose to express these views was in a foreign language lesson.

Ahhhh my mistake i misread, yeah i can understand how that can be percieved as over nationalistic.

[Kirst]

I've learned some things on here tonight too despite living in Scotland the majority of my life.

[TheNathanNS]

he chose to express these views in a foreign language lesson.

i only do that cos my french teacher says random crap about france like "France never needed help during WW1, England helped out of sorrow"

and she was once very VERY racist saying "England is weak thats why the USA helped them"

she got suspended for that comment

im suprised she still has her job

[OchyGTA]

he chose to express these views in a foreign language lesson.

i only do that cos my french teacher says random crap about france like "France never needed help during WW1, England helped out of sorrow"

and she was once very VERY racist saying "England is weak thats why the USA helped them"

she got suspended for that comment

im suprised she still has her job

Maybe you should be the bigger man and ignore her

[Sean_R_LFC]

To be honest England should have annexed Scotland and Wales along time ago and it should just be England

[Straznicy]

To be honest England should have annexed Scotland and Wales along time ago and it should just be England

Tried and failed. Several times in Scotland's case.

[Vercetti27]

If you aren't allowed to express pride in nationality during foreign language lessons when are you allowed to without being seen as overly nationalistic ? I think its sad that displaying the english flag during st.georges day is seen as controversial these days. Ireland and Scotland are fiercely patriotic countries (perhaps because they've been oppressed by the english and are poorer, more provincial countries )

I wish we made that effort about being english without fear of being mistaken as some EDL gobsh*te.

 

Ironically I'm not displaying my national flag but the old yugoslav one

[Straznicy]

I sympathise with English people who feel that way. National pride has been inextricably associated with extremism down south for years now, and I think it's very unfair. The way I see it, there's nothing wrong with feeling a part of something - a common legacy, culture or whatever it may be. A few whackos should not be allowed to hijack that, and from what I've seen that situation is steadily retracting in England.

 

I'd much rather see English people waving St. George's Flag and calling themselves English, than flying the Bloody Rag and pretending they're part of some unanimous British identity that simply isn't there.

[JOSEPH X]

It is there. There's plenty of Unionists in Northern Ireland who claim to be more British than the English.

[sivispacem]

If you aren't allowed to express pride in nationality during foreign language lessons when are you allowed to without being seen as overly nationalistic ? I think its sad that displaying the english flag during st.georges day is seen as controversial these days. Ireland and Scotland are fiercely patriotic countries (perhaps because they've been oppressed by the english and are poorer, more provincial countries )

I wish we made that effort about being english without fear of being mistaken as some EDL gobsh*te.

 

Ironically I'm not displaying my national flag but the old yugoslav one

The implication as I read it was "I don't need to learn XYZ because I'm English and proud and will never need it". Which, whilst it may be true in many cases, is still an absurd attitude to take. Besides, there are many opportunities to express pride in one's country without doing so in a completely inappropriate way. Whilst I agree that it is quite saddening that any attempt by English citizens to show some kind of patriotism is dismissed as racist, there is a pretty good reason for this. The sheer quantity of institutionalised racism in this country- predominantly against European migrant workers these days (who are often falsely accused of "taking all the jobs"; that's only because they work far harder than the average Englishman can ever be bothered to) is absolutely astounding. It doesn't stop me being proud of my heritage (all of it, not just the English bit) but sometimes I am ashamed to be associated with England. Hell, I've even pretended to be Irish when abroad to avoid any negative connotations.