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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?

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

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.

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

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 =)

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

*sighs, shakes head and walks away*

Kawada wrote:
> Long as you stay away from China or Japan that's fine :-D

Don't you worry, by the time you move to China or Japan, I'll have already set up a holiday home =) that'll be great, we can be neighbours. I'll show you around and we can cheer on England in the World Cup and the Yankees in whatever Cup they have.

Long as you stay away from China or Japan that's fine :-D

I feel bad for you pb =/ your girls should really be growing up in Spain. I hope you'll be able to move there some day soon.

I'm not keen on bringing up kids in the UK so I think they'll be better off in Singapore. But I'll always have a home in the UK =) I dont think I could ever officially leave.

Nin wrote:
> Machie wrote:
> There must be a reason why so many Brits are choosing to
> retire/move abroad. Countries like Spain, France, Portugal,
> Italy, Singapore, etc.
>
> Because theyre cheap and you can buy a huge house for the price
> you'd pay for a flat here.
>

If only that were true of southern Spain. Some places are really cheap, but most of the decent houses in built up areas are the same as they are here, otherwise we'd be over there now. We've been looking at houses for a while.