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"Proud of your country?"

Do you feel a certain patriotism to your country? It does seem quite common for us in the UK to avoid such signs of what some might perceive as blind faith in any country and is probably one of the factors that leads to a more fractured society.

And yet, despite this many British people tend to avoid the labels of being part of any other culture (Europe, Western etc) and revel in the grabbing of the best of other cultures while maintaining a unique British feel. This is more evident in England, especially as other parts of the UK seek to distance themselves from the country.

Perhaps it’s all part of island mentality. We’re a smallish lump of rock in a large ocean, after all, set apart from our nearest continent of Europe.

Personally I think it’s refreshing that England has managed to maintain a certain Englishness while not being afraid to take bits and pieces of other cultures, but it doesn’t want to make me stand up and sing the national anthem either. I feel proud that, as a country, we can often take the mickey out of ourselves and laugh at our misgivings, while at the same time feeling happy to be living in this country and not have to resort to flag waving to prove it.

How do you feel about your country? Does it instill a sense of pride, shame or indifference in you? Does Patriotism take things too far?

Nin wrote:
> I'm looking at Japan as well. Next Freeola meetup can be there ;)

Oh yeah Ben would love that. =D you'd come right Ben? All us gaijin together. ^^ We'll even hit some nightclubs and find Japanese girls who have always wondered what it would be like with a gaijin.

You'll be pleased to know that they're more up for sex on a first date than most American girls =)

Having been with both, you'd be surprised :-D

Machie wrote:
> Oh yeah Ben would love that. =D you'd come right Ben? All us
> gaijin together. ^^ We'll even hit some nightclubs and find
> Japanese girls who have always wondered what it would be like
> with a gaijin.

Nope, I'd lose my novelty value if i was with you two.

Don't worry my gorgeousness would be balanced out by Machie's troll like looks, you'll be fine

We'll go find some vending machines, ones that sell beer and ones that sell panties. =D Sorry Ben I dont think they sell used ones anymore. =(

Kawada wrote:
> Don't worry my gorgeousness would be balanced out by Machie's
> troll like looks, you'll be fine

You can take the girls over 5'8, i'll take the rest and Mark can have whats left over.

Kawada wrote:
> Don't worry my gorgeousness would be balanced out by Machie's
> troll like looks, you'll be fine

I'm the most normal looking out of the three of us =P

I dont want them thinking we're yanks, you'll have to do something with that accent of yours.

Machie wrote:
> I'm the most normal looking out of the three of us =P

Excuse me?

:-O That's the moneymaker right there, it's staying

I think he confused normal with smallest, easy mistake Machie