Poll: Proud to be British

[Teddy Roosevelt]

No, all we do now is get bossed around by the US government whenever they want to go and murder a bunch of people or arrest someone who says anything bad about them.

That's not how it works. Britain hasn't been bossed around to do anything, nor has it been sent to murder groups of people, and neither has it arrested people who simply say something bad about America. That isn't what happens at all.

Economic and NATO connection does not means control over, not by a long shot.

 

[James Thory]

19 years old and never planning on leaving blighty
hell if there was a mountain range like the alps in the UK i dont think I would ever need a passport (apart from maybe hazy trips to amsterdam ;P)

but like nimcha said there is plenty of anger against so called 'foreigners' even when they're legally british >.> though burning those poppys didnt exactly do much to help that

 

[CrashBang]

No. no no no no no. I can't stand being British. I respect Britain, it's rich history and impact on the world, it's wealth and power and military might etc etc, but I can't stand it socially. I hate the rain, the dark, dank weather, the grumpy, stupid, miserable people, the attitudes of the middle-aged and the anti-social chavs. I hate being British and I want to move to either the USA (east coast) or Canada as soon as possible

 

[maninahat]

From what I've seen, most English people are very proud to be English. Scots and Welshmen less so.

Also, this English pride often leads to xenophobia. Which can be rather annoying.

The Scots are proud of not being English.

You're kind of right about the xenophobia though. In the UK, there is a sense that being overtly patriotic comes over as nationalistic. You're not a true British patriot unless you do nothing but complain about Britain at every opportunity. That said, as soon as we see a yank or a frog we don't like, we instantly become monsterous jingos.

 

[Jelly ^.^]

Bloody whinging poms

If Ricky Ponting had realised how crap he is and stopped playing before the Ashes, we might have had a shot

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

You guys invented the Longbow!

 

[maninahat]

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.

I am well aware of that. It doesn't change my answer.

A true Scotsman.

 

[sluggyfreelancer]

Don't you have to do something to feel pride? If so, being born into a country doesn't seem like something you would be proud of...

 

[Druss the Slayer]

'Tis really interesting reading all these replies guys thank you. Keep 'em up.

And for God's sake, THE INEQUALITY SIGN IS THE WRONG WAY, stop mentioning it please? xD

 

[ReservoirAngel]

I'm distinctly UNproud of my British-ness...yet I have no plans to, at any point, leave this place.

 

[Wadders]

I for one am very proud to be British and English, what with our rich history, our impact on the world and living standards/human rights. I know a lot of people at my college (age 16-18) who are definately not proud to be British and plan to move country as soon as they can.

All of which you've had nothing to do with.

OT: I was born here by coincidence, but I am not proud of it - although that doesn't put me at the other end. I'm simply indifferent.

Patriotism is for fools.

Then I'm a fool and proud.

I'm proud to be a Brit, although I'm probably more proud to be English, and the poll results make me warm inside. Aged 19 btw.

I like this country, most of it's people (even the Welsh!) and the way we do things, our history, our countryside, our armed forces, our sense of humour even our shitty food.

Sure there's things I dislike about it for example people who hate on immigrants, the weather, and Piers Morgan. There's certain aspects of Britain that definately need improvement. But no-where in the world is perfect! Rule Brittania and all that!

 

[Druss the Slayer]

Novskij, that's brilliant mate. It makes me so proud when people immigrate here, and then say things like that. Kinda upsets me that you can say that, when at the same time people who were born and bred here want to leave.

 

[Nimcha]

From what I've seen, most English people are very proud to be English. Scots and Welshmen less so.

Also, this English pride often leads to xenophobia. Which can be rather annoying.

The Scots are proud of not being English.

You're kind of right about the xenophobia though. In the UK, there is a sense that being overtly patriotic comes over as nationalistic. You're not a true British patriot unless you do nothing but complain about Britain at every opportunity. That said, as soon as we see a yank or a frog we don't like, we instantly become monsterous jingos.

Hah, that sounds pretty accurate with my experiences with British people.

Though I think you'll find complaining about the country isn't as British as you think, we Dutch have made it into a national sport. We've had like 4 completely different governments over the last 8 years and each and every one could never do anything right in the eyes of the public. People are so dissatisfied they are willing to massively vote for racist lunatics like Geert Wilders.

 

[beniki]

As proud as I am to be British, I find the traits I associate with Britishness to be an absolute rarity. Politeness is even hard to come by these days. And I've only met a handful of fellow Brits who show the stiff upper lip under pressure. The gentleman is virtually non-existent these days.

Problem is, that despite being proud to be British, I'm actually finding myself more comfortable around foreigners and living abroad. I guess that's a British thing too, but I'm stopping short of nicking their countries.

 

[Danzaivar]

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.

If you ever move to Ireland, don't say your Irish, just say you're American. I hear it's one of the MOST annoying things when you're actually Irish and Americans go up to you and say they're Irish too cos of their grandparents or whatever.

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12000741

My friend, I sincerely hope you guys get independence soon. Scotland is a beautiful country and the people are amazing, but politically we're just beating each other to death. I reckon it would clear some of the animosity between the nations.

- - - - -

Regarding the OP: Am I proud to be British? Not particularly. Am I proud to be English? Not at all. Is there anywhere I'd rather be from? Nope.

I do have the union jack on various bits of furniture and stationary, but that's almost entirely because it's such a good design.

And this:

Is an awesome poster.

 

[The Bucket]

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.

This is true, although its less pissed off and more eye rolling. Just seems silly to call yourself "Irish American" if you've never lived in Ireland, just because your 5th cousin twice removed was Paddy McShaughnassey or whatever. We are a rabbit like race, as soon as large numbers move to an area the boinking starts (at least in the past)

O.T I dont think anyone should be wholly proud or disgusted with their country. I, for example am proud of the people who gave their lives for independence in Ireland and am ashamed of the psycotic low lives that movements always attract. These days, i'm proud of the good people I know and am ashamed of the bankers and politicians who sent us into a horrible recession and are now playing the blame game without actually punishing anyone. You take the rough with the smooth, and acknowledge while your country isn't perfect, your grateful for what its done for you.

 

[Kortney]

Calling someone British here in Manchester is a good way to get your head kicked in. People are either English, Scottish, Welsh or Terrorist.

Anyway, I'm proud to live in England. I'm not English/British though so I can't really vote.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

No, why would I be proud to be born on a certain piece of land? It didn't exactly require much effort on my part. 32.

All those people who had somehow contributed to Britains achievements can feel proud of their particular role but I had nothing to do with it.

 

[Mrselfdestruct]

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

You guys invented the Longbow!

And Christian Bale, maybe we're not so bad...

 

[Spygon]

I am British, half irish and half english.

My answer is i am proud of the british people and being part of them.But i am not proud of our government.

 

[Private Custard]

I'm proud of a few things. But, for the most part, no. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's fucking embarrassing being British at the moment.

I'm also pissed off. I was outside at lunch today, watching four squadrons of Harriers showing off for the last time before being retired. Fuck whoever decided it was a good idea to do this, and many other terrible things, to our military.