Poll: Proud to be British

[Xpwn3ntial]

I said no, because I'm not British. I'm American, but not really proud of that...

Be proud of your country always and proud of your government when it deserves it.

OT: I am not British, but I am proud of my country.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I'm not saying colonialism is wrong, but look how the French did it. Sure I dont know if it would have continued, but at least they had healthy respect for the Natives of the land.

There's a lot of North Africans and SE Asians that would disagree with you there.

well, they were nicer to my tribe. you oculd probably say I have almost instinctual hate, cause my mom talks higher about French people then British, but someone being British never bothered me when i'm in the states. It wasnt till I went to Britian that they started to bother me, but again i said why.

I was never asked directely. here's more or less how people found out:
British Person: Hey, nice tan (this was around september). That natural?
me: yeah.
B: So you from around here (also dont have the British speech, since it wouldnt be an accent to you)?
M: no.
B: where you from?
M: I'm American. Native American.
B: oh. So... How's it feel to know my great grandfather made your people civiliz.. blah blah blah.

So yes, British people did ask me, cause i tan better then most people (Combination of Spanish and Cherokee blood. I can get dark).

If you was tanned they probably expected something like California or Florida or Texas etc. Instead you said you was a Native American, implying you'd want to talk about being a native american, and the only thing most Brits would know about native Americans is that they got wiped the hell out quite early on.

I can't tell if that last bit is because the conversation was really strenuous and that's all they had to go on with (likely assuming your one word answers were accurate), or if they was trying to be funny and you just didn't get it. Can see why you could think there was any malice behind that though, a bit.

Well, I'm not sure how I should take it when someone says something like what you just said, where you only know my people ebcause tehy were almost wiped off the face of the earth, or when they say things like how without country's interventions i would still be a mindless savage running around the woods with sticks. Or how my people where demons and monsters because we tried to protect our lands. So excuse me when the humour falls on thin patience. I'm pretty sure any jew would react the same if i walked up and siad, "my, its a shame hitler didnt wipe you off the face of the earth. But hey, least now you got something to write about and make money"*

besides, I find it rather rude of someone to just ask me blantently where i'm from without me talking to them first just cause i look/talk different. I dont do that to others, I'd rather like if people did not do it to me. I'm much more open and friendly when someone wants to be civilized and say, "hey, how are you," or, "whats up?"

*NOT, I repeat NOT!!! how i actually feel about that instance in history or the jewish people in general. I find them to be rather good people.

Did Native Americans even run around woods with sticks? I thought they lived on plains (Or them old films lied!). Never heard of the demons/monsters thing (That has an element of religion to it, sounds American more than British).

And if I asked someone "So, where are you from?" and they said "I'm a Jew" I don't even know what I'd do, probably just think they're not listening to what I asked and try end the conversation quickly. (So I guess mocking them over the holocaust would probably resolve the conversation pretty sharpish...)

GOOD JOB INVOKING GODWINS LAW THERE BY THE WAY

Frankly I don't even know what to take from this now. You make some good points but it sounds like you're pulling a lot of this out of your arse, it's hard to survive as an intolerant brit like the ones you make out in todays society.

Well, again, maybe they were joking like you said, but its a bit of a sensitive issue for me. and you dont know much about Native Americans. Native people lived EVERYWHERE in teh continent. Look up a tribe called the Hopi, they live int eh Southwestern United States region. you're probably thinking of the Sioux (Of custad's last stand infamy). So yes, we ran around many woods using bows and arrows to kill our food (deer mostly).

ANd the jew example isnt meant to be taken literally, but thats what its essentially like. I tried to end the coversation with one word answers and it didnt work.

 

[electric discordian]

our impact on the world and living standards/human rights.

Yeah.... As an american, I cant say yes, so my answer would have to be no, but i wouldnt go flaunting that around. Britain isnt exactly know for its peaceful and respectfulness in its treatment of the native people.

To be fair, Britain was the birthplace of modern economics, and the Liberalism that now retrospectively derides those actions. It could be said that we at least learned from our mistakes.

And anyway, why the hell are there any US peeps on dis' ere fread? So far the two that have posted have just popped in to remind us how awesome the USA is and how bad the UK is. Thanks a bunch, guys. You made my dog cry. :[

Don't listen to those Scottish peeps. They just hate all us Southerners for no good reason. =P

I didnt say America is better. I just siad I'm American, so I cant say yes. And true, but still, you shouldnt make that statement without atleast acknowledging the things you've done (India, Native Americans, the Irish). I'll glad tell you all of the atrocities America has committed against people as well, but just recognize the faults. The effects are still clearly visible. And dont talk like that, not all Americans are slacked jawwed.

Besides, to an extent the OP here could be saying that Britain is the best country since he made this pretty much for British people to say how patriotic they feel.

We first wrote the Declaration of Independence, didn't use it.
We invented Cricket.(I will duck the great steaming piles of evidence the Scots hurl my way to disprove this!)
One of the most industrialised countries in the Western World
Inventor of the windup radio
One of the first places in Europe to Ban Child Labour
And Slavery

To say we did anything to the Irish is a wee bit simplistic, before Cromwell stuck his boot in there were Religious wars and tribal hatred. Britain in fact stupidly attempted a police action to prevent further blood shed. After all why the hell would we want a country whose sole exports are spuds, alcohol and Novelists!

My only concern at the moment is the fact that Democracy seems to have been abandoned. It will be Bastille storming time soon guys! If that wasn't in France, Strangeway's storming time! (The biggest Prison near me!)

 

[Canid117]

I am Scottish. Not British.

And no, I am not.

HAHAHAHAHA!

I love Scottish people.

 

[Harrowdown]

I am not proud to be British because I have nothing to be proud of.

Yeah we have a history with some good and some bad, but none of that was anything to do with me, I've only been on this planet for 23 years, so I'm neither proud nor ashamed of being British. It is just a label signalling where my home is.

/thread.

 

[YouCallMeNighthawk]

I'm very proud to be British, more so English :3

Sure we could do with some more hot weather, but be patient and global warming will kick in XD (I say whilst watching 11th hour .... IRONYYYYY!)

 

[Danzaivar]

Well, again, maybe they were joking like you said, but its a bit of a sensitive issue for me. and you dont know much about Native Americans. Native people lived EVERYWHERE in teh continent. Look up a tribe called the Hopi, they live int eh Southwestern United States region. you're probably thinking of the Sioux (Of custad's last stand infamy). So yes, we ran around many woods using bows and arrows to kill our food (deer mostly).

If it's a sensitive issue then why the hell bring it up in conversation? Why would we even learn about native americans anyway? That's American History, and there's more than enough of our own history to teach in school.

I mean to be fair, the evil british who killed Native Americans and conquered America didn't all sail back to the UK when they was done. They settled down and became Americans (Which would be why they wanted the land in the first place). We could have common Ancestors centuries ago but most of their offspring will be Americans such as yourself. It's a shame and all but they aren't our people, they're your people.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

I'm not saying colonialism is wrong, but look how the French did it. Sure I dont know if it would have continued, but at least they had healthy respect for the Natives of the land.

There's a lot of North Africans and SE Asians that would disagree with you there.

well, they were nicer to my tribe. you oculd probably say I have almost instinctual hate, cause my mom talks higher about French people then British, but someone being British never bothered me when i'm in the states. It wasnt till I went to Britian that they started to bother me, but again i said why.

Well, it seems to me you have had the UK equivalent of an English person walking into a sterotypical redneck bar, although seeing as they didn't beat you into a pulp I'd be inclined to agree with Danzaivar and say they may well have been joking around with you. English culture, particularly English working class/pub culture can be quite jarring if you're new to it, especially if you're expecting the sort of polite middle class English you see in movies and on TV, hell a lot of English people find it rather intimidating. People will jab at you verbally because that sort of "go on, insult me, I don't give a fuck" attitude is the norm.

 

[Parallel Streaks]

Nope, mainly because the majority of my family during the early 20th century fought and died for Irish independence, my grandparents fleeing the country and to England. So no, I'm not particularly proud to be British, while we are responsible for a lot of great innovations, we're responsible for even more awful acts.

For instance, the war for independence, with American AND Ireland. We tend to be in the wrong except when confronted with Nazis.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Snip

We werent mindless savages before you came either. We had culture, had gods, a system of speech, we could use tools. There was a city in the Southeastern US during precolonial times that was actually bigger then most cities in Britain, this is proven (though i forget at the moment want it was called).

Also, I would have been born, i just would not have this life, it would be different. Every sperm carries the essence of the same person, just with a bit of different genetics. Therefore, my father, his father, his father's father, etc are all the same person, just a little different.

Snip

On the contrary, I approached the trip with high hopes and good feelings. I knew British people in the US and they were really cool people. So I thought people of the country would be the same. besides, if you ocant think of anyhitng to talk to me about besides why i look/sound different you shouldnt talk to someone. and yeah, at least most of the jewish people i've met were decent people.

Snip

When you wrote the Declaration of Independence, you pretty much said you werent British, so you cant say you're British and did that.

and i'd rather have a democracy then the parliament system.

and forgive me, let me go find what america invented it may take a bit of time.

Snip

because, I didnt expect people to be complete douches about it. I know British people from the states and British Canadians who dont treat me like the garbage the native british people did. I guess i should just take away from my visit that all Brits are incapable of an intelligent conversation without insulting someone first. Again, you can talk to a Native American about so many other things besides about how they were almost wiped off the face of the earth, a custom started by YOUR original Brits. It was imbedded into the culture that it was right.

 

[AcrylicHero]

English culture, particularly English working class/pub culture can be quite jarring if you're new to it, especially if you're expecting the sort of polite middle class English you see in movies and on TV, hell a lot of English people find it rather intimidating. People will jab at you verbally because that sort of "go on, insult me, I don't give a fuck" attitude is the norm.

It's funny that ripping on your mates and vice versa is pretty much how you become better mates.
I actually love how this is how we converse now.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Snip

well, a little more civility is nice for anywhere. I wasnt expecting what i saw in the movies, but a, "hey, whats up?" instead of "Why are you so dark?" or "Is that tan natural" would have been just as efficient and much more pleasant. and its hard to make a case against it when it prtty much happened everyhwere i went, which encompassed Five major cities, moved up 3/4s of the country, and pretty much anywhere i walked even in the small villages too.

 

[hawkeye52]

Nope.

Our government's an absolute shambles. And the worst thing is. Our public were dumb enough to vote them in. Fucking morons.

Granted the alternative wouldn't have been fantastic. But my god. They'd have been a damsite better than the set of twats we're stuck with now.

Aside from that, there isn't all that much to be proud of any-way.

lib dem or labour then? i would vote lib dem myself and vote the monster raving looney party over the bloody tories bastards.

 

[mega48man]

i'm an american, but i'm british by blood, (and scottish and irish) so based on the context of the question, i'm elligible to vote yes, right? cuz i already did 0_0

 

[guntotingtomcat]

We have an awesome health service. Well, maybe not awesome, but the most fair. It's shit for everyone!
Also, best armed forces (not biggest).
Also, it's pretty cool that we can make fun of the government/the church/pretty much any established authority and not 'disappear'. Hell, our entire media is based on ripping the government!

 

[Danzaivar]

Snip

We werent mindless savages before you came either. We had culture, had gods, a system of speech, we could use tools. There was a city in the Southeastern US during precolonial times that was actually bigger then most cities in Britain, this is proven (though i forget at the moment want it was called).

Also, I would have been born, i just would not have this life, it would be different. Every sperm carries the essence of the same person, just with a bit of different genetics. Therefore, my father, his father, his father's father, etc are all the same person, just a little different.

Snip

On the contrary, I approached the trip with high hopes and good feelings. I knew British people in the US and they were really cool people. So I thought people of the country would be the same. besides, if you ocant think of anyhitng to talk to me about besides why i look/sound different you shouldnt talk to someone. and yeah, at least most of the jewish people i've met were decent people.

Snip

When you wrote the Declaration of Independence, you pretty much said you werent British, so you cant say you're British and did that.

and i'd rather have a democracy then the parliament system.

and forgive me, let me go find what america invented it may take a bit of time.

Snip

because, I didnt expect people to be complete douches about it. I know British people from the states and British Canadians who dont treat me like the garbage the native british people did. I guess i should just take away from my visit that all Brits are incapable of an intelligent conversation without insulting someone first. Again, you can talk to a Native American about so many other things besides about how they were almost wiped off the face of the earth, a custom started by YOUR original Brits. It was imbedded into the culture that it was right.

Okay, I am done. If "I guess i should just take away from my visit that all Brits are incapable of an intelligent conversation without insulting someone first." is all you've got after 2 hours of chatting then I'm just leaving it here. You started off borderline racist and have just progressed to being outright insulting. The depressing part is you aren't even just trolling.

Amazing how derailed these topics get, heh.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

I said no, because I'm not British. I'm American, but not really proud of that...

Be proud of your country always and proud of your government when it deserves it.

OT: I am not British, but I am proud of my country.

Due to my ignorance of the world outside of the US, I'm not sure if it is just this country or the entire world, but people here are just morons half the time. My mom keeps going on about how "this is the greatest country in the world" and also how hypocritial everything is. Abortion for example. They say it should be illegal because the bible says it is bad. The bible says nothing about abortion, the colonist came to this country to escape from the government telling them what to believe (and, in my eyes at least, making laws based on religion is the same thing), and this isn't even a "christian" country, freedom of religion is in the constitution (then again, the patriot act sort of got rid of the constitution). Not to mention this country seems to slowly be moving closer and closer to fascism...

 

[Matt-the-twat]

I am neither proud nor ashamed to be British. That said, I do feel privileged to be living in England, I think I'm incredibly fortunate to live in such a free and generally wealthy country.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Snip

No, thats not what i've gathered. I've gathered that you (as britains) find it... normal, to be more coarse in a friendly manner with each other. as i said, I met decent people in England, and I'm not trying to be racist (really cause being British is a race, its an ethnicity, but thats being technical I just dont think you should whitewash a country as old as britain to be near flawless). I honestly tried, I didnt hold the actions of the former Brit to the next one I'd meet. But when anyone (this goes for everyone, of any nation) knows someone inst from there, you should at least think that they'd take those joking jabs as offensive, cause tehy arent used to it.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

Snip

well, a little more civility is nice for anywhere. I wasnt expecting what i saw in the movies, but a, "hey, whats up?" instead of "Why are you so dark?" or "Is that tan natural" would have been just as efficient and much more pleasant. and its hard to make a case against it when it prtty much happened everyhwere i went, which encompassed Five major cities, moved up 3/4s of the country, and pretty much anywhere i walked even in the small villages too.

What you call civility isn't necessarily what everyone else does. If you look and sound different people are going to be interested in that, especially in small villages. You've either managed to walk into all the wrong pubs or you are taking offense where none was meant due to cultural differences, probably both.