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What is British?

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)

Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

 (closed, thread got too big)

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By *allySlinkyWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

Queueing

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By *awk90Man
over a year ago

Amsterdam

To me, as a foreigner...

Politeness

Tea

Ale

Pub culture

Idyllic murders

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Fish chips !

Sense of doing the right thing !

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By *ecadent_DevonMan
over a year ago

Okehampton

Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Queueing "

This past year has been like Disneyland for us

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sense of humour right up there

HP brown sauce and salad cream

Everything can be a sandwich

Queueing

Sunburn

Talking about the weather

Pubs

Tea with milk

 (closed, thread got too big)

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"To me, as a foreigner...

Politeness

Tea

Ale

Pub culture

Idyllic murders"

It’s true, our murders are very pretty

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world. "

Ok, I’m curious as to who takes the top spot

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By *stbury DavenportMan
over a year ago

Nottingham

Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Sense of humour right up there

HP brown sauce and salad cream

Everything can be a sandwich

Queueing

Sunburn

Talking about the weather

Pubs

Tea with milk"

There’s an international law of economics that states “when two British men meet, they talk of the weather”

What is a British sense of humour?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

Generalising much there

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Saying "sorry" a lot!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It’s means when you introduce your mate to someone, you have to do it while taking the piss out of them, for example ‘Here’s Craig, bit of a twat!’ ‘Here’s Barry, bit of a knob!’

No other Nation does this and thus, this is the one thing that defines being British.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

How dare you say that to me?!

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By *iddlesticksMan
over a year ago

My nan’s spare room.

To me quintessential Britishness is to moan about everything that is wrong about our great country to ourselves and to then tell everybody else how great it is.

To want to live elsewhere but to maintain there’s no place you’d rather be if we only got the weather.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world.

Ok, I’m curious as to who takes the top spot"

America? (But then they're basically British too like Austrailians!)

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Saying "sorry" a lot!"

True story. I apologised to the curb the other day

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Sense of humour right up there

HP brown sauce and salad cream

Everything can be a sandwich

Queueing

Sunburn

Talking about the weather

Pubs

Tea with milk

There’s an international law of economics that states “when two British men meet, they talk of the weather”

What is a British sense of humour? "

Sarcasm, bluntness and dry humour

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 23/04/21 10:05:10]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tolerance

Sense of fair play

Prudery

Blitz spirit

Stoicism

Keep Calm ...

Civilised

Masters of the World

But mainly resistance to having a British national identity.

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By *isAdventure69Woman
over a year ago

Hampshire

I don't know but it's no me

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British? "

Not a lot these days - anyone with a British passport is British, now if your talking English, Welsh, Sottish or Irish then you can give a more definitive answer

 (closed, thread got too big)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British? "

Social security and the NHS

 (closed, thread got too big)

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By *P994Man
over a year ago

Travelling

Stiff upper lip, dry sense of humour, polite and speaks well. Definitely not true amongst all Brits I’d say a lot of the British stereotypes are more English stereotypes as well.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"It’s means when you introduce your mate to someone, you have to do it while taking the piss out of them, for example ‘Here’s Craig, bit of a twat!’ ‘Here’s Barry, bit of a knob!’

No other Nation does this and thus, this is the one thing that defines being British. "

But only to people that we like. We never tell the people that we like, that we actually like them. Not until after they die

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Union Jack

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell

[Removed by poster at 23/04/21 10:06:00]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Quirky humour - Monty Python, Morcambe and Wise, The Fast Show.

Pomp and Ceremony - Trooping the Colour.

Passive aggressiveness - Apologising when someone bumps into you. Holding a door for everyone whilst muttering "don't mind me" under your breath.

Inventing sports that are played worldwide - Golf, Football, Rugby.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"I don't know but it's no me "

No but perhaps you’re well placed to comment

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell

British to me is.

Anyone who is born on British land, this is mostly England though as many Scots Welsh and Irish will not class themselves as British. (read some History) someone who has pride in the Union Jack (or butchers apron) this is inclusive of any class, race and religion as long as you are NOT Roman Catholic after all Catholics cannot be the prime minister nor the King/Queen, although i am not a practicing catholic i was christened

This is why I am unable to class myself as British. They try pretend May was a Catholic but she really is not. This is also the reason Blair waited until he left No10 before being christened.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world. "

I agree. I think that award goes to the USA.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

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By *ecadent_DevonMan
over a year ago

Okehampton


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world.

Ok, I’m curious as to who takes the top spot"

In my experience. Russians, Americans and Chinese people are often disliked by local people in some of the former colonies as they are practicing “neo colonialism”. The British “left” these places a long time ago, the majority of problems in many of these countries boils down to corruption and the three countries mentioned above have a laissez faire attitude to that.

In sub Saharan Africa now, the Chinese are stripping mineral wealth and natural resources from many countries and the companies doing it are bringing in Chinese staff to do so (impacting local unemployment and create resentment). I have worked in many former colonial countries and have seldom felt negativity from acts from over half a century ago. What tends to matter is now.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!"

This

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

Coming from what was the Empire my country has nothing but fondness for the UK. Yes there was a lot of shady shit to say the least but mine and my neighbouring countries still like the UK.

An awful lot us wished to come here growing up.

Love it here and the people

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This "

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

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By *aomilatteCouple
over a year ago

Midlands

It's too hot

It's too cold

Chip shop chips

Go to Spain and find a British bar that does Sunday lunch for 5 euro

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I wouldn’t know as I very much identify as being Scottish

Mr

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

"

Where exactly in my comment did I say it’s one nation ?

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By *isAdventure69Woman
over a year ago

Hampshire


"I don't know but it's no me

No but perhaps you’re well placed to comment "

I'll give it some thought ... I did catch the word " tolerant " in a comment above .

Not sure , like with most nations , that it's the first word that comes to my mind .

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By *yron69Man
over a year ago

Fareham

We’re not the most disliked. That’s the Americans lol

Many admire us. Some even want us back. Individuals of course not governments. Yes they did horrid things but then there were no standards on that sort of thing then.

British is championing the underdog and stoicism. Only the British can play Roman nobles well.

English is a cultural thing. Tea and Ealing studios.

British is Captain Smith sinking beneath waves shouting ‘be british!’. Brave and dignified.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

That's the famous British spirit (and I hope humour) in action!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world. "

This ^^^ but not as many countries! (By a long way)

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By *rNaturistMan
over a year ago

Northants

Cheese and onion crisp sandwiches with salad cream.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

Luckily only some of them, and not too many!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Chicken tikka masala with chips and a can of iron brew.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean


"To me, as a foreigner...

Politeness

Tea

Ale

Pub culture

Idyllic murders"

What do you mean by idyllic ?

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world.

Ok, I’m curious as to who takes the top spot

In my experience. Russians, Americans and Chinese people are often disliked by local people in some of the former colonies as they are practicing “neo colonialism”. The British “left” these places a long time ago, the majority of problems in many of these countries boils down to corruption and the three countries mentioned above have a laissez faire attitude to that.

In sub Saharan Africa now, the Chinese are stripping mineral wealth and natural resources from many countries and the companies doing it are bringing in Chinese staff to do so (impacting local unemployment and create resentment). I have worked in many former colonial countries and have seldom felt negativity from acts from over half a century ago. What tends to matter is now. "

When i lived in Holland and people heard my accent, they would usually say, Are you English? ina slightly dissaporiving wayz when i told them No i am Scottish, they would suddenly warm to me and want to chat more.

i think it has to do with yobs on holiday, over aggressive football fans and the idea that English people feel superior to johnny foreigner.

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

Where exactly in my comment did I say it’s one nation ? "

"Not bad for a tiny nation"

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By *iddlesticksMan
over a year ago

My nan’s spare room.

Hugh Grant.

I win

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"Hugh Grant.

I win "

Jesus if he is all that it is to be British I am glad i am not.

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By *yron69Man
over a year ago

Fareham


"Hugh Grant.

I win "

David Niven by a long way.

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By *ecadent_DevonMan
over a year ago

Okehampton


"Hugh Grant.

I win

David Niven by a long way."

Love him in “a matter of life and death”

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

Where exactly in my comment did I say it’s one nation ?

"Not bad for a tiny nation""

I’m glad you agree, 4 nation’s under a Groove.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Pork pies and pasties

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

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By *yron69Man
over a year ago

Fareham


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype."

Duke of Wellington.

Anglo Irish

Churchill

American English

Bond

Often played by Celts

That’s Britishness

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype."

I see that as well. Glad an English person said it though.

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By *uffolksubWoman
over a year ago

Brandon

[Removed by poster at 23/04/21 10:30:03]

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype."

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity. "

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it.

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By *luebellRacerCouple
over a year ago

Shropshire

Fry ups

Fish and chips

Queueing

Sorry

Complaining

Talking about how surprising the weather is, year in year out.

Bank holiday weekends

Pubs

NHS

Windbreakers at the beach

Ice cream vans and Mr Whippys

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By *luebellRacerCouple
over a year ago

Shropshire


"Pork pies and pasties"

Oh I like this!

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By *an4funMan
over a year ago

london


"Fry ups

Fish and chips

Queueing

Sorry

Complaining

Talking about how surprising the weather is, year in year out.

Bank holiday weekends

Pubs

NHS

Windbreakers at the beach

Ice cream vans and Mr Whippys"

You forgot deckchairs and knotted handkerchiefs on heads

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By *luebellRacerCouple
over a year ago

Shropshire


"Fry ups

Fish and chips

Queueing

Sorry

Complaining

Talking about how surprising the weather is, year in year out.

Bank holiday weekends

Pubs

NHS

Windbreakers at the beach

Ice cream vans and Mr Whippys

You forgot deckchairs and knotted handkerchiefs on heads"

And gravy. Gravy with everything

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By *arkus1812Man
over a year ago

Lifes departure lounge NN9 Northamptonshire East not West MidlandsMidlands


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

"

I do not see the names of Scotland or Wales or England in the list of the United Nations, What I do find is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Rolled cigarettes and Stella Artois

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

I do not see the names of Scotland or Wales or England in the list of the United Nations, What I do find is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island."

So you think Britain is one country?

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it."

Then I think stubbornness is a British thing. Being a Welsh speaker it's amazing it still exists. We've had laws passed by the English to say we weren't allowed to use our language in legal setting and those who couldn't speak English weren't allowed public jobs. Even the Welsh not used in schools to prevent use of the language. But none of it worked, my mother tongue is Welsh.

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By * AND R 777Couple
over a year ago

Teesside


"Having travelled to over 52 countries and worked in about 16 I would dispute that we are the most disliked nation in the world.

Ok, I’m curious as to who takes the top spot"

The French obviously

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Hugh Grant.

I win "

But what about that Bannanaband Cumberswatch fella?

I win

But seriously I have seen a lot of different countries and I feel blessed to have been born here.

I wouldn't live anywhere else.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it."

Yes but then all of those nations started calling Britain ‘home’ and living here. We’re a very culturally diverse nation and I love that part of this country

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

I do not see the names of Scotland or Wales or England in the list of the United Nations, What I do find is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island.

So you think Britain is one country?"

Depends how you define 'nation'? For the purposes of international relations the UK is a single nation. Culturally the UK is a mix of nations.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Gin

Stiff upper lips

The knowledge that they don't like it up em

And. 455 revolvers

By jove

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it.

Then I think stubbornness is a British thing. Being a Welsh speaker it's amazing it still exists. We've had laws passed by the English to say we weren't allowed to use our language in legal setting and those who couldn't speak English weren't allowed public jobs. Even the Welsh not used in schools to prevent use of the language. But none of it worked, my mother tongue is Welsh.

"

Sending love from another "colony"

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By *manaWoman
over a year ago

Basingstoke

Urrrgggghhhh

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Biscuit Dunking

Wimbledon

Cucumber sandwiches

Stiff upper lip

Roast Dinners

Knotted hankies on heads at the beach

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean

To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past..........

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"

I see that as well. Glad an English person said it though."

Quarter Scots. The English part is a mix of Northern and Southern.

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By *ecadent_DevonMan
over a year ago

Okehampton


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

I do not see the names of Scotland or Wales or England in the list of the United Nations, What I do find is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island.

So you think Britain is one country?"

I think he said “nation” which is, I believe what you objected too. You are both right and both wrong if that helps. England is not a nation (it fails to meet the majority of criteria for this) Scotland is, as is the UK (constitutional monarchy and the ability to set certain domestic and overseas policies). Same with countries the United Kingdom is a country with 4 countries inside of it. But it’s all semantics. As I say. You are both right and both wrong.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

I do not see the names of Scotland or Wales or England in the list of the United Nations, What I do find is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island.

So you think Britain is one country?"

No it’s four, I thought we established this.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it.

Then I think stubbornness is a British thing. Being a Welsh speaker it's amazing it still exists. We've had laws passed by the English to say we weren't allowed to use our language in legal setting and those who couldn't speak English weren't allowed public jobs. Even the Welsh not used in schools to prevent use of the language. But none of it worked, my mother tongue is Welsh.

"

Just curious, when were those laws passed?

Also, I can kind of see the point. If you’re working in a council office and you can’t speak the language of the bosses, head office and of the people, would you have a job?

I personally disagree with trying to kill off ethnicity, language and cultural roots but I also know quite a few Welsh people who think the Welsh language is ridiculous and don’t want to learn it

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past.......... "

Is your caps lock broken Granny?

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

I do not see the names of Scotland or Wales or England in the list of the United Nations, What I do find is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island.

So you think Britain is one country?

No it’s four, I thought we established this."

Tarkus1812, says otherwise.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean


"To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past..........

Is your caps lock broken Granny? "

Yeah .... Keyboard is fucking BRITISH

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By *ecadent_DevonMan
over a year ago

Okehampton


"To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past.......... "

I don’t have Turkish shoes Granny

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By *ockosaurusMan
over a year ago

Warwick


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

I guess also denigrating, scornful and self depricating then.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
over a year ago

Reading

Americans love us!

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By *manaWoman
over a year ago

Basingstoke


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

I guess also denigrating, scornful and self depricating then. "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past.......... "

HOUSE!

(Forum bingo)

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean

Nope. I capped deliberately.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past.......... "

You forgot the monarchy which is part German, part french, part Greek...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Nope. I kneecap deliberately."

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By *manaWoman
over a year ago

Basingstoke


"Nope. I kneecap deliberately.

"

If you need back up just let me know...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Amazing to think of all the music to come out of one nation, probably 80% or more

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By *uitednbooted2Man
over a year ago

Berkshire

Proved over 10 centuries of history we are one of the greatest nations on earth. We have for such a small country always punched massively above our weight in the world. It’s in our ethos our genes our culture. I am so proud to be English

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean


"Nope. I kneecap deliberately.

"

It's something I heard a lot about as a child ..... damn those lived experiences.

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

I think the people who would give the best answer would be English (or British) people who've moved to another country where they're confronted by how different they are. It's very easy to take your values for granted, not even see them, if you're surrounded by them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Amazing to think of all the music to come out of one nation, probably 80% or more "

ABBA ?

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean


"To be British is to wake up in a SWEDISH bed in your CHINESE pyjamas. Eat your AMERICAN granola and drink your INDIAN tea. Put on your ITALIAN suit/dress and your FRENCH aftershave/perfume. Walk to your GERMAN car in your TURKISH shoes. Drive to work in your JAPANESE held office using JAPANESE technology. Grab SUSHI for lunch with some INDIAN green tea or ITALIAN coffee. Grab a TURKISH KEBAB for the evening. Flop down on your E.U. furniture. Sink a FRENCH beer........ stroke your AFGHAN hound. Make an appointment with your SRI-LANKAN doctor. Watch an AMERICAN programme on your SOUTH KOREAN t.v. with your half CHINESE half IRANIAN neighbour eating POLISH snacks........

Don't live in the now and imagine you are in the past..........

You forgot the monarchy which is part German, part french, part Greek..."

I didn't forget them. I avoid them.

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By *manaWoman
over a year ago

Basingstoke


"Proved over 10 centuries of history we are one of the greatest nations on earth. We have for such a small country always punched massively above our weight in the world. It’s in our ethos our genes our culture. I am so proud to be English "

Thread was about British

But I concur. I'm happy to be English too

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it.

Then I think stubbornness is a British thing. Being a Welsh speaker it's amazing it still exists. We've had laws passed by the English to say we weren't allowed to use our language in legal setting and those who couldn't speak English weren't allowed public jobs. Even the Welsh not used in schools to prevent use of the language. But none of it worked, my mother tongue is Welsh.

Just curious, when were those laws passed?

Also, I can kind of see the point. If you’re working in a council office and you can’t speak the language of the bosses, head office and of the people, would you have a job?

I personally disagree with trying to kill off ethnicity, language and cultural roots but I also know quite a few Welsh people who think the Welsh language is ridiculous and don’t want to learn it"

They're very old and is to do with making Wales part of England. But it was used continuously through the centuries. The not being able to use Welsh in a court of law for example was obviously a massive obstacle to rural people to have fair trials etc. The Welsh not where if you had the sign at the end of the day was given to my great grandfather (who passed away when I was in my late teens so in living memory).

I actually choose to do maths and science through the medium of English as they are the language of the subjects. So I don't always agree with all the Welsh nationalists.

I believe language and culture should be a choice. It's my mother tongue to me it's like a hug when I speak it over English which isn't the same. But I've been told that I should "loose my accent if I want to succeed and be taken seriously" which was something I refused to do.

But that's what I love about Britain, it has Celtic, Anglo Saxon, normon and our empire roots with lots of others too. It's something in such a small small space is incredible really.

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"Amazing to think of all the music to come out of one nation, probably 80% or more "

80% of the best musoc came from Britain, really?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Amazing to think of all the music to come out of one nation, probably 80% or more

80% of the best musoc came from Britain, really?"

You’re right, probably closer to 90%

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean


"Amazing to think of all the music to come out of one nation, probably 80% or more

80% of the best musoc came from Britain, really?"

I think 100% of the sarcasm can be overlooked at times.

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By *9alMan
over a year ago

Bridgend

I think of myself as English, I live in Wales not too Shure about British now we don't have an empire.

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By *ockosaurusMan
over a year ago

Warwick

TBH, I'm not sure there is any one thing.

We are such a historic mishmash of people and cultures that we vary massively across what is really a tiny space on the planet.

But, maybe that 'is' partly what makes us British?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Today is also Shakespeare's birthday and reputedly the day he died as well. For me the English language and the extraordinary art which has been produced in it is Britain's greatest gift to the world, and one which can be celebrated independent of any national allegiances.

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"Today is also Shakespeare's birthday and reputedly the day he died as well. For me the English language and the extraordinary art which has been produced in it is Britain's greatest gift to the world, and one which can be celebrated independent of any national allegiances."

I heard that all of Shakespears works combined, have a total of less than 20,000 digferent words.

not bad at all

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By *ockosaurusMan
over a year ago

Warwick


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

I guess also denigrating, scornful and self depricating then.

"

That was just a sarcastic response to him

Not what I really think

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By *iddlesticksMan
over a year ago

My nan’s spare room.


"Hugh Grant.

I win

David Niven by a long way."

Bugger you win.

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By *ubal1Man
over a year ago

Newry Down

Britishness is a construct that changes gradually and inexorably over time.

Whilst at one point in time it may appear to be permanent, it is ephemeral.

Those who adjust are content withe the status quo, whilst others, like Enoch Powell in 1968, now look like dinosaurs!

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean

The English don't speak English .....

They speak a mix of old norse which has evolved through Germanic, French and Latin additions.... as the English were over ruled many times in history.

Old Cornish dialect is what comes closest today ( I think )

When I hear Brits proclaiming how powerful they are. I know they don't know how many times they've been conquered ruled and diluted.

(thank heavens )

Holding on to a Gaelic language is 'nice' but won't serve anyone on a global scale.

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By *ost SockMan
over a year ago

West Wales and Cardiff


"'Britishness' doesn't exist.

Whenever a 'British' stereotype comes up it is usually an English one and then that is narrowed down to a London stereotype.

I agree, rarely will the Celtic nations of Scotland, Manx, Wales and Cornwall come into the idea of Britishness with their different cultures and languages. Or even our rich ethnic diversity due to our empire.

But I guess that's what Britishness is diversity.

Historucally, it was the pounding down and killing off diversity, then claiming the good parts of any other culture or country for the crown, generally by sticking a flag in it.

Then I think stubbornness is a British thing. Being a Welsh speaker it's amazing it still exists. We've had laws passed by the English to say we weren't allowed to use our language in legal setting and those who couldn't speak English weren't allowed public jobs. Even the Welsh not used in schools to prevent use of the language. But none of it worked, my mother tongue is Welsh.

Just curious, when were those laws passed?

Also, I can kind of see the point. If you’re working in a council office and you can’t speak the language of the bosses, head office and of the people, would you have a job?

I personally disagree with trying to kill off ethnicity, language and cultural roots but I also know quite a few Welsh people who think the Welsh language is ridiculous and don’t want to learn it"

Hundreds of years of gaslighting will do that to people.

The amount of abuse the oldest language gets is unbelievable, including within Wales, and especially through social media.

It’s mere survival is a miracle, and its not surprising a significant amount of Welsh fall for the b******t stories about the language.

Sorry, I’ve got on my high horse there, but it needed saying.

I find Britishness increasingly impossible to define in recent years, beyond the stereotypes. I honestly feel that each constiuent part knows little of the real story (good and bad) of the other parts.

I do think the UK is finished.

On a brighter note - a very, very Happy St George’s Day to all the English folks here and that I know in the real world

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land


"The English don't speak English .....

They speak a mix of old norse which has evolved through Germanic, French and Latin additions.... as the English were over ruled many times in history.

Old Cornish dialect is what comes closest today ( I think )

When I hear Brits proclaiming how powerful they are. I know they don't know how many times they've been conquered ruled and diluted.

(thank heavens )

Holding on to a Gaelic language is 'nice' but won't serve anyone on a global scale. "

Cornish is a Celtic language, which I can mostly figure out as it's the same branch as Welsh. Unlike the Gaelic Irish and Scottish Celtic languages.

Holding on to my language doesn't serve anyone I suppose on a global scale. But I know when I talk to big American institutions they always remember me and my accent, they go potty for it. One guy even leant some Welsh out of respect. So on a global scale maybe not on a personal one yes.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"The English don't speak English .....

They speak a mix of old norse which has evolved through Germanic, French and Latin additions.... as the English were over ruled many times in history.

Old Cornish dialect is what comes closest today ( I think )

When I hear Brits proclaiming how powerful they are. I know they don't know how many times they've been conquered ruled and diluted.

(thank heavens )

Holding on to a Gaelic language is 'nice' but won't serve anyone on a global scale. "

Old cornish is actually now mostly made up as a language I'm afraid

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

PG Tips Monkey

No other country has him.....

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By *stbury DavenportMan
over a year ago

Nottingham

Britishness. Half a dozen things off the top of my head:

Invading or attacking 173 of the world's 195 countries.

Starving approximately 58 million people to death during the 182 years spent utterly ransacking India. Another 2 million deaths and tens of millions more displaced during partition.

Using those same tactics in Ireland, and causing the potato famine and another million death, and reducing the population by as much as 20% through people emigrating to escape it.

Committing atrocities – mass executions, torture, r*pe – against the Mau Mau and the Kikuyu and then destroying the documentation to cover it up. The true numbers killed will never be known.

Herding the Boers into concentration camps, where approximately ten percent of the entire population died.

Enthusiastically participating in the sl*ve trade from 1562 to 1807, compensating the sl*vers rather than their victims, and then pretending to be the good guys in the story.

Going to war with China to force them to allow the sale of opium, wrecking their economy, and creating the destablisation that led to the Taiping Rebellion, and another 20 to 30 million people dead.

The legacy of Empire is one of untold destruction and rapacity. Absolute stain on history. And yet people laud it! They're nostalgic for it. Ugh.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Having lived in Australia for 10yrs with immigrants from other countries I learned what it was like to miss our country, see its differences from others and listen to opinions from people who've never been here.

Its unfashionable to say but if I'd got to put it in one word its our history.

Its easy today to hang our heads in shame when we think of what was our Empire, we trash statues and reputations of people with shame judging them by today's standards.

I'll be first to condemn any atrocity of human rights but people or their actions should be judged in the time they occurred and what was perceived in those times as right or wrong. We shouldn't live in shame we had the largest Empire the worlds ever known no more than Italian's should regarding the Romans.

We over time have bought more civilisation, invention, discovery and exploration than any other nation. More heroic stories of triumph and tragedy in the face of adversities, victory against the odds and loss of men on a scale that defies comprehension than any other nation, yet we are made to feel guilty by nations that only wish they had half of our one time glory.

If anyone feels the need to be reminded of what it means to be British then look no further than the names and stories of our past and only judge them in the times they took place...

Cpt Scott of the Antarctic, Lord Nelson, Wellington, the men of the South Welsh Boarders and Royal Engineer regiments at Rorke's Drift Natal and any man that put on our uniform to battle tyranny and died not because his family were in danger but to save others who didn't even speak the most widely spoken language in the world... the English language.

Its not shameful or racist to wave our flags with pride.

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By *manaWoman
over a year ago

Basingstoke


"

Its not shameful or racist to wave our flags with pride.

"

This

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Britishness. Half a dozen things off the top of my head:

Invading or attacking 173 of the world's 195 countries.

Starving approximately 58 million people to death during the 182 years spent utterly ransacking India. Another 2 million deaths and tens of millions more displaced during partition.

Using those same tactics in Ireland, and causing the potato famine and another million death, and reducing the population by as much as 20% through people emigrating to escape it.

Committing atrocities – mass executions, torture, r*pe – against the Mau Mau and the Kikuyu and then destroying the documentation to cover it up. The true numbers killed will never be known.

Herding the Boers into concentration camps, where approximately ten percent of the entire population died.

Enthusiastically participating in the sl*ve trade from 1562 to 1807, compensating the sl*vers rather than their victims, and then pretending to be the good guys in the story.

Going to war with China to force them to allow the sale of opium, wrecking their economy, and creating the destablisation that led to the Taiping Rebellion, and another 20 to 30 million people dead.

The legacy of Empire is one of untold destruction and rapacity. Absolute stain on history. And yet people laud it! They're nostalgic for it. Ugh.

"

totally opposed to the idea of friendly Britishness as described by most posters

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Adding milk to tea

Driving on the wrong side of the road

Fish and chips

Rich history

Imperial units

Bank holidays

Broken education system

The way you do washing up

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British? "

Well saying we as an English nation whilst talking about being British, doesn't do you any favours with the other countries in Britain lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Britishness. Half a dozen things off the top of my head:

Invading or attacking 173 of the world's 195 countries.

Starving approximately 58 million people to death during the 182 years spent utterly ransacking India. Another 2 million deaths and tens of millions more displaced during partition.

Using those same tactics in Ireland, and causing the potato famine and another million death, and reducing the population by as much as 20% through people emigrating to escape it.

Committing atrocities – mass executions, torture, r*pe – against the Mau Mau and the Kikuyu and then destroying the documentation to cover it up. The true numbers killed will never be known.

Herding the Boers into concentration camps, where approximately ten percent of the entire population died.

Enthusiastically participating in the sl*ve trade from 1562 to 1807, compensating the sl*vers rather than their victims, and then pretending to be the good guys in the story.

Going to war with China to force them to allow the sale of opium, wrecking their economy, and creating the destablisation that led to the Taiping Rebellion, and another 20 to 30 million people dead.

The legacy of Empire is one of untold destruction and rapacity. Absolute stain on history. And yet people laud it! They're nostalgic for it. Ugh.

totally opposed to the idea of friendly Britishness as described by most posters

"

And fortunately all happened a long time ago and history can't be changed nor the following generations blamed for it! Only learned from and not repeated!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Britishness. Half a dozen things off the top of my head:

Invading or attacking 173 of the world's 195 countries.

Starving approximately 58 million people to death during the 182 years spent utterly ransacking India. Another 2 million deaths and tens of millions more displaced during partition.

Using those same tactics in Ireland, and causing the potato famine and another million death, and reducing the population by as much as 20% through people emigrating to escape it.

Committing atrocities – mass executions, torture, r*pe – against the Mau Mau and the Kikuyu and then destroying the documentation to cover it up. The true numbers killed will never be known.

Herding the Boers into concentration camps, where approximately ten percent of the entire population died.

Enthusiastically participating in the sl*ve trade from 1562 to 1807, compensating the sl*vers rather than their victims, and then pretending to be the good guys in the story.

Going to war with China to force them to allow the sale of opium, wrecking their economy, and creating the destablisation that led to the Taiping Rebellion, and another 20 to 30 million people dead.

The legacy of Empire is one of untold destruction and rapacity. Absolute stain on history. And yet people laud it! They're nostalgic for it. Ugh.

totally opposed to the idea of friendly Britishness as described by most posters

And fortunately all happened a long time ago and history can't be changed nor the following generations blamed for it! Only learned from and not repeated! "

No one can be held accountable of the past, however, it is essential to acknowledge that that past has impact amongst how ppl see themselves nowadays.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"The English don't speak English .....

They speak a mix of old norse which has evolved through Germanic, French and Latin additions.... as the English were over ruled many times in history.

Old Cornish dialect is what comes closest today ( I think )

When I hear Brits proclaiming how powerful they are. I know they don't know how many times they've been conquered ruled and diluted.

(thank heavens )

Holding on to a Gaelic language is 'nice' but won't serve anyone on a global scale. "

The English do speak English. Cornish is in the Celtic family of languages and English is in the Germanic family - different roots.

As you said about 'Britishness' English is not stagnant but constantly changing and morphing which is why there is Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

That's America.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

That's America. "

Well I mean yes but....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

"

This illness is global unfortunately

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A picture above the fireplace of dogs playing snooker...mic drop

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"A picture above the fireplace of dogs playing snooker...mic drop "

Do you mean 'pool' painted by an American?

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By *edeWoman
over a year ago

the abyss

As someone born in Scotland to parents from England I have always thought of myself as British - much to the distaste of classmates growing up. You see a very different side to people when you are the 'English' family in the village.

Obviously British history is not always glorious and nice - just like any other nations history I would hazard to guess. But given the fact that something like 300 languages are now spoken in schools across the UK I would say that we can't be all that bad now

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By *aramel.desiresMan
over a year ago

London

I agree I don’t think the English are disliked at all. Far from it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

This illness is global unfortunately

"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

An outdated concept for Westminster’s English elite to rule over an unequal ‘Union’ - ie an attempt to keep their grasp on some kind of ‘Empire’

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Some of the greatest bands have come out of Britain, e.g Black Lace and plenty of others.

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By *inglenfreeMan
over a year ago

london


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance. "

Well enough about you. How about sticking to the subject.

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British? "

You obviously haven’t travelled as much as me. The majority of places I have visited love the English

Americans on the other hand....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day.

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular


"Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day. "

You said you wouldn’t get political then you got political.

If it’s any consequence, I travel on an Irish passport

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day.

You said you wouldn’t get political then you got political.

If it’s any consequence, I travel on an Irish passport "

I did but I really didn't.

I have family in England. Some of my favourite people are English. My uncle Tony. A scouser. He's a legend. I loved visiting Liverpool. It was amazing.

But the British institutions are a different matter.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think most first-world nations have a history of conquest and conflict, but that's how they become first-world nations. With the excess of wealth, Britain was able to put money into education, health and social care etc. This led to some world changing innovations and discoveries. Without British medical research, for example, the world wouldn't have anti-biotics and many vaccines that have literally saved billions of lives across the planet. Internet, jet-engines, telecommunications etc have made the world smaller, and easier to travel. Don't forget that the British people are borne of conquest - the Romans, the Vikings, the Norse, the Saxons and the Normans have all taken Britain in conquest and the majority of the current population share these genes. Personally, I find the British to be good people. Educated, caring, willingness to share and the UK is probably the least racist, and most cosmopolitan country I have ever visited or lived in, and I have lived in and visited many. I have never counted how many, but since the early 1990's I have had to renew my passport 27 times because they got full of visa stamps.

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular


"Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day.

You said you wouldn’t get political then you got political.

If it’s any consequence, I travel on an Irish passport

I did but I really didn't.

I have family in England. Some of my favourite people are English. My uncle Tony. A scouser. He's a legend. I loved visiting Liverpool. It was amazing.

But the British institutions are a different matter. "

Using a Parisian McD’s as an example wasn’t a good one either, nobody in Europe likes the French and the feeling is mutual. In fact Parisians don’t even like the rest of France and vice versa.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day.

You said you wouldn’t get political then you got political.

If it’s any consequence, I travel on an Irish passport

I did but I really didn't.

I have family in England. Some of my favourite people are English. My uncle Tony. A scouser. He's a legend. I loved visiting Liverpool. It was amazing.

But the British institutions are a different matter.

Using a Parisian McD’s as an example wasn’t a good one either, nobody in Europe likes the French and the feeling is mutual. In fact Parisians don’t even like the rest of France and vice versa. "
My mistake. You're beloved.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day. "

So India creates a dish and we rob it? Seriously. The curry isn’t ours, some curries have been invented by the British but it’s not ours. Is pizza ours? Pasta? A banana?

Wake up

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By *ljamMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British? "

Identify as Scottish first then British. As a Scot I can feel my heckles twitching at this typical conflation of British with English. They are not interchangeable, but it is something the English do quite often - the old "Andy Murray is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses" cliche springs to mind. That arrogance, which is largely media-based to be fair, probably goes some way to the dislike people feel towards England.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

Identify as Scottish first then British. As a Scot I can feel my heckles twitching at this typical conflation of British with English. They are not interchangeable, but it is something the English do quite often - the old "Andy Murray is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses" cliche springs to mind. That arrogance, which is largely media-based to be fair, probably goes some way to the dislike people feel towards England."

Wow? So your education system, as an example...where’s the funding come from.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snobbery, bigotry and a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

Generalising much there "

isn’t the whole point of the entire thread to generalise - for example i don’t like hp or salad cream but i know it doesn’t stop me being british

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By *ljamMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

Identify as Scottish first then British. As a Scot I can feel my heckles twitching at this typical conflation of British with English. They are not interchangeable, but it is something the English do quite often - the old "Andy Murray is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses" cliche springs to mind. That arrogance, which is largely media-based to be fair, probably goes some way to the dislike people feel towards England.

Wow? So your education system, as an example...where’s the funding come from. "

Got absolutely nothing to do with my point.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

Identify as Scottish first then British. As a Scot I can feel my heckles twitching at this typical conflation of British with English. They are not interchangeable, but it is something the English do quite often - the old "Andy Murray is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses" cliche springs to mind. That arrogance, which is largely media-based to be fair, probably goes some way to the dislike people feel towards England.

Wow? So your education system, as an example...where’s the funding come from.

Got absolutely nothing to do with my point. "

About the dislike towards the English. History my friend. Where would you be standing alone from history? I’m English then also class myself as British secondly also.

So you say the English are liked because of our arrogance, yet you comfortably disrespect a would nation.....top lad

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By *acheldumfriesTV/TS
over a year ago

Dumfries


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British? "

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

"

this comes across like some angry little child, that wants to hate everyone else in the school yard, getting angry because they wanted to include you

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By *ljamMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

Identify as Scottish first then British. As a Scot I can feel my heckles twitching at this typical conflation of British with English. They are not interchangeable, but it is something the English do quite often - the old "Andy Murray is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses" cliche springs to mind. That arrogance, which is largely media-based to be fair, probably goes some way to the dislike people feel towards England.

Wow? So your education system, as an example...where’s the funding come from.

Got absolutely nothing to do with my point.

About the dislike towards the English. History my friend. Where would you be standing alone from history? I’m English then also class myself as British secondly also.

So you say the English are liked because of our arrogance, yet you comfortably disrespect a would nation.....top lad "

I gave you a prime example of the arrogance right now. Current. I even said it was more of a media thing... but sure thing big man, leap to the defence of St George.

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By *entlemanrogueMan
over a year ago

Motherwell


"Curry is British.

I know India is the birth place of all the various curries but its British now.

It's as British as fish and chips.

I'm going to avoid the political side of things here mostly because I'm Irish of a certain age and I have biases.

I know a guy above on here have said that the English are not as hated as Americans but maybe that's what they said to your face?

"The English" are not liked internationally. But Individual English people are often loved. When on holiday we could drink at the bar with families from England or Wales or Scotland and have the best time. But we wouldn't travel to an English resort because there would only be trouble there.

I went to a McDonald's in Paris and got a burger. When I told the person at the counter I was irish not English (she called me an English shit head) they took my burger back and gave me a different one. And said sorry.

Our view of Britain is very different from your version. I have baggage. I have had an armoured car point it's machine gun at me as we stood beside our car while it was being searched. That affects a 10 Yr old.

And the past is in the past. This is true but the effects of past behaviours are felt to this day. "

Curry is British.

No one or two maybe three types of curried dishes where created here, thats a massive difference from curry being british also here are many types of curry from many different countries not just india.

is this an example of British ignorance?!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"When you think about all the amazing music to come out of Britain, its staggering, we’ve produced probably 80% of the greatest bands/ artists on the planet, not bad for a tiny nation. How can you not get emotional and be proud of that ?!

This

Britain isnt a nation for god dake, its 4 nations.

this comes across like some angry little child, that wants to hate everyone else in the school yard, getting angry because they wanted to include you "

I know, heaven forbid we should say something positive about this great nation, the music we have produced is incredible, for a small island, who would deny that.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There will always be those who try to disgrace our nation, no matter how dumb ass they are it is also a reason to be proud for we are, a democracy.

Our society allows free speech, even those who would preach hatred like Anjum Chaudhry. If you hate this country you can say so and still live here in perfect safety protected by our laws.

Those on here who are knocking this countries past can do so because our society allows it but don't see what we've become because of it, like most harbingers of doom they prefer to keep regurgitating incidents that would no longer happen citing them as reasons why we should feel shame.

Do we constantly knock German's for Hitler's tyranny or do most of us seem to drive their cars praising there advanced technology?

I don't see Italian mobs pulling down statues of a Caesar or Egyptians bulldozing the pyramids, most who put this country down have never lived outside of it and therefore have a two dimensional view.

If we are so bad then why do so many migrants risk their lives trying to get here walking through other European countries on their way... if your so damn negative then why do you live here anyway?

Love it or leave it...

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By *gent CoulsonMan
over a year ago

Secret hideaway in the pennines

Nothing more british than a yorksire pud

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

ill take argumentative for 10 points please

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"A picture above the fireplace of dogs playing snooker...mic drop "

I've got those, but in the hallway not above the fireplace lol

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Nothing more british than a yorksire pud"

I'd say that was more English than British.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Bad teeth, and snobbery

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question."

Here here

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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

I travel this little planet a lot and these seem pretty unique here.

Tea , especially with milk

Beer / Pubs

Football

Queuing

Manners

Not complaining properly about bad products/services

Beating around the bush

Sick days / entitlement

Moaning about the weather and politics

Sunday roasts

Chicken tikka masala

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"There will always be those who try to disgrace our nation, no matter how dumb ass they are it is also a reason to be proud for we are, a democracy.

Our society allows free speech, even those who would preach hatred like Anjum Chaudhry. If you hate this country you can say so and still live here in perfect safety protected by our laws.

Those on here who are knocking this countries past can do so because our society allows it but don't see what we've become because of it, like most harbingers of doom they prefer to keep regurgitating incidents that would no longer happen citing them as reasons why we should feel shame.

Do we constantly knock German's for Hitler's tyranny or do most of us seem to drive their cars praising there advanced technology?

I don't see Italian mobs pulling down statues of a Caesar or Egyptians bulldozing the pyramids, most who put this country down have never lived outside of it and therefore have a two dimensional view.

If we are so bad then why do so many migrants risk their lives trying to get here walking through other European countries on their way... if your so damn negative then why do you live here anyway?

Love it or leave it..."

talking about free speech but asking ppl to leave your country if they deem question it

Well done

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

Identify as Scottish first then British. As a Scot I can feel my heckles twitching at this typical conflation of British with English. They are not interchangeable, but it is something the English do quite often - the old "Andy Murray is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses" cliche springs to mind. That arrogance, which is largely media-based to be fair, probably goes some way to the dislike people feel towards England."

Another good point, England winning the world cup in 1966, everytime something to do with the world cup comes on TV somebody has to bring it up. In 1967 a British team won the European Cup, first British team to do it and I'll be surprised to see how many know which team it was.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

roast dinner on a sunday

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By *parkle1974Woman
over a year ago

Leeds

I wouldn't know..... I'm Scottish

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question."

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

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By *ljamMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

"

You used the terms interchangeably and chose St George's day as a hook to hang a conversation about being British on. They're the unchangeable facts.

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

"

Don't get me wrong mate, I know what you meant to say, it just could have been worded better. Me personally, I'm a Shetlander first, Scottish second and British third.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

Don't get me wrong mate, I know what you meant to say, it just could have been worded better. Me personally, I'm a Shetlander first, Scottish second and British third."

What TM is not as good with words as we think ?

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

Don't get me wrong mate, I know what you meant to say, it just could have been worded better. Me personally, I'm a Shetlander first, Scottish second and British third."

Also starting off the post with happy St George’s day fabbers, then asking what it means to be British wasn't the way I'd gone. If I'd come on and said happy St Andrews day and asked the same question, I think I'd have got the same reaction for others outside Scotland.

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By *ea monkey OP   Man
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

You used the terms interchangeably and chose St George's day as a hook to hang a conversation about being British on. They're the unchangeable facts."

Ok.

So I’m not allowed to start thinking about being British on St George’s day?

If you’re insulted by being included with England, then I apologise

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

At least they thread made me laugh

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By *ljamMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

You used the terms interchangeably and chose St George's day as a hook to hang a conversation about being British on. They're the unchangeable facts.

Ok.

So I’m not allowed to start thinking about being British on St George’s day?

If you’re insulted by being included with England, then I apologise "

Not insulted at all, and you're absolutely allowed... but as I said earlier, conflating English with British is wrong and does smack of arrogance. The fact that you didn't realise there was a difference, and don't seem to realise that it is a mistake to use these two interchangeably, pretty much illustrates the arrogance.

I get it, it's understandable, England has been the regional cultural dominant force for centuries, but it's wrong.

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By *ereagainlolMan
over a year ago

Lerwick


"Happy St George’s day to fellow fabbers!

On this most vague and typically understated of national days, I’ve been wondering; what is it to be British?

It’s no secret that we as the English nation are amongst the most disliked internationally (thanks colonialism) but beyond that, I often hear about the British sense of humour, our collective ‘spirit’, our obsession with tea...

So what do you think defines being British?

So you've gone and used Engliah and British as if its interchangeable, therefore alienting Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish as if they were merely colonies. If you'd kept your question referencing St George's Day as "what defines English" it's a slightly different question.

English is British, as is Scottish, Welsh and N Irish.

I made an aside about being English but my question is about being British.

Much as people may dislike it, we are one nation called Great Britain. Being resentful doesn’t change the fact!

You used the terms interchangeably and chose St George's day as a hook to hang a conversation about being British on. They're the unchangeable facts.

Ok.

So I’m not allowed to start thinking about being British on St George’s day?

If you’re insulted by being included with England, then I apologise "

Honestly, I'm not insulted mate. I couldn't care who's day it was, I'm not that patriotic unless we're playing England lol. Like I say I'm a Shetlander first and foremost. If it wasn't that we were given away as a wedding present, I'd be Scandinavian lol

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