Poll: Proud to be British

[Wicky_42]

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.

Granted, I dont have much room to talk with what my country's foreign policies usually are, but yeah.

We did OK pulling back out once our Empire had run its course - and we left India with a nice railway legacy that's still going today - not all bad, despite the modern views on the crassness of imperialistic motives. Though let's be honest, at that time everyone who could was empire-building; you weren't a proper Monarchy if you didn't have a smattering of colonies to back up your ego, and the accumulated wealth built the world we have today.

OT, I really wish I could be unashamedly proud of our little nation, but there's far too much wrong - politically, socially, economically - wrong, wrong wrong. On the flip side, I do quite like some of the old-style stereotypes - those I can be proud of. Giles from Buffy in particular makes me laugh, but it's always amusing seeing 'generic brit' posing as the bad-guy in a film, powered by the sheer awesomeness of his accent and shooting laser beams from him monocle. Or something.

So yeah, I enjoy (some) stereotypes more than the reality. That should probably say something about the state of the country, lol.

 

[El Poncho]

I'm proud to British and Scottish, I'm not sure why some Scot's don't like being British but meh.

 

[Druss the Slayer]

Mikespoff, if you put in a slight amount of effort, you'd see there are 2 'no' options and that i apologised for putting the inequality sign the wrong way around.

 

[WrongSprite]

No, I don't believe in nationality.

 

[PureChaos]

not as much as i used to be, the country has been going downhill recently, but i'm still proud to be British

 

[emeraldrafael]

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.

 

[CarpathianMuffin]

I'm Welsh, and I have many relatives over in the British Isles, not to mention the person closest to me.
I may not be native British, but I do take some pride in what little I am.

 

[Valksy]

Erm. I'm 36 so I have no poll option (yes yes, old and obsolete, I'm getting that a lot these days).

I certainly think that there are worse things to be and I understand that our history has not always been pretty and I understand that there is (incorrectly in my mind) a social stigma to saying that you have national pride.

I appreciate that I am here by virtue of serendipity and know that - by virtue of the efforts and causes of the people in our past - I am in a reasonably fortunate place.

So yes, I suppose pride is a fair enough word.

 

[Druss the Slayer]

@CarpathianMuffin
Erm, I'm confused Wales is part of the British Isles.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

The British nation is unique in this respect. They are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, DL, FRS

However

In the last 15 or 20 years, I've watched the British press simply go to hell. There seems to be no limit, no depths to which the tabloids won't sink. I don't know who these people are but they're little pigs.

David John Moore Cornwell (John Le Carre)

We are many things to many people, but we will always be British. /salute

 

[Bihac]

Interesting topic.

The simple answer is: Yes.
Age: 22 (just cause you asked)

The longer one is:
While the UK as a whole certainly has a rich and vibrant history, which is something I will always be grateful for having learnt, and when the education system works, it's one of the best in the world.

With that said what has it achieved recently?
Slowly increasing levels of teen pregnancy (to each their own, but most arn't planned)
Staggering Knife crime rates, which in 2008 - 2009 were listed as "stable", but is stable actually acceptable?
The head's of state have been out of touch for quite a few years (current and previous government)

On the other hand, I no longer live in the UK, but I cite it as the cause of many of my mannerisms, and if anyone asks where the accent is from I have no issue in telling them, despite the fact I know I'll get a joking form of racism slung back at me (before anyone asks, I know it's joking and am thusly not offended, but other people might still be.)

 

[Squidden]

British people are cool dudes.

But I'm not proud to be British seeing as I am American.

 

[maninahat]

I'm proud to be Irish almost full blood. Yet I am American and I have the same views as those 16-18 year olds. I hate it here. I am letting politics decide if I stay in America or not. Yet I will always defend this country considering it raised me.

Without knowing the specifics of your geneology, I would advise you not to go telling the real Irish that you're "proud to be Irish". Nothing pisses them off more. As far as they are concerned, if you aren't born or raised in Ireland, you can't claim to have any Irish in you, no matter how many O'Reillys you might have in your family tree.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Did I put the bloody > sign the wrong way round? Apologies for my dimness, I'm pretty tired.

And to be fair emerald, I think British rule was helpful to a lot of the empire. Look at the state parts of Africa are in, after we (and the French)left.
And *cough* Native Indians *cough*.

Wanna talk about the native Americans? I'm 6% Cherokee. Lets talk about what you "did" for MY people. Lets talk about hte small pox, the rapid annihilations, the complete raping of our people so you could have your gold and tobacco.

Or the Native Indians, with the caste system you've left in the country that still does exist today and creates a hopeless class situation some can never hope to escape, damning them at birth.

And the most recent thing i saw that "influenced" by Brits in the African countries was Apartheid. Besides, you could say the same as the state they were in before you went there. I'm pretty sure Slavery wasnt the huge thing that Britian and other world powers made it. And before you tell me about the American slavery movement, let me remind you that were it not for the battle of Anteitam, you (britian) would have rushed gun ho to America to protect the pro-slavery south and save your cotton investments.


Listen, I'm not saying that any country is greater, but you shouldnt whitewash things like that. Especially on an international forum site.

 

[revolutionaification]

I'm not British. I'm Scottish.

Seriously though, I'm hoping we become independant. Not 'cause there's anything wrong with you other countries of course, hell I think you guys are awesome most of the time! You all have such lovely accents... But I still think I want independance. Mostly as I don't agree with our government and don't like the fact that though we didn't want them as a country, we were outnumbered and are now saddled with the same guys who buggered us back in the days of Thatcher.
So no, I'm not proud to be British because I don't see myself as that, but if I did then yeah, I probably would be.

 

[maninahat]

I'm Welsh, and I have many relatives over in the British Isles, not to mention the person closest to me.
I may not be native British, but I do take some pride in what little I am.

Isn't Wales part of Great Britain? Shouldn't you be using "English" in this instance?

 

[fullbleed]

I am Scottish. Not British.

And no, I am not.

Britain includes Scotland, its England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is just part of the UK.

Yes I would say I am proud of being British because of our rich history and great culture and how multi cultural cities like London really are. I may not like our government but I still like the country even if I can't help but be typically cynical most of the time in that British way.

 

[Mrselfdestruct]

Proud to be British maybe, but not Welsh....it's not like we've done much....

 

[Sam17]

No, I hate living here, I think it's an absolute shithole that's only getting worse, I'd like to move abroad as soon as I can, I'm 19