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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?

The problem with Italy is that its full of Italians.

Yea if i had to choose a country to live in in Europe i'd probably go for Italy as well.

Machie wrote:
> If you could have a holiday home in Europe where would it be?

Italy

> But if you had the money you would have gone?

Absolutely. I was all set to go, got my passport renewed and had checked out the legal side of things. It was just a matter of money and security.

Nin wrote:
> Because theyre cheap and you can buy a huge house for the price
> you'd pay for a flat here.

If you could have a holiday home in Europe where would it be?

> No, i've a few places i'd be interested in. I had the chance to
> leave 3 months ago and i turned it down because i couldnt afford
> it.

But if you had the money you would have gone?

i prefer the chinese "gao laowai"

They'll just call you a Gaijin in Japan.

God i hope not

I can still be an American in Japan, you don't suddenly lose your nationality by crossing over borders

Kawada wrote:
> Yup because that's what i am, i'll just have Japanese
> citizenship, woooo the dream is complete

Why not just go to Hawaii? The Japanese love Hawaii and you can still be an American =)

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.

> @ngel seems to love it up north in Grimsby and Nick umm cant
> think of a country he'd like to move to. Umm Gibraltar perhaps?

No, i've a few places i'd be interested in. I had the chance to leave 3 months ago and i turned it down because i couldnt afford it.

Kawada wrote:
> I have made up my mind, i'm spending 10 years in China, 30 in
> Japan then retiring to Toronto where i'll switch between there
> and New York

With cheaper flights to asia I'm hoping that the new super power China and Japan will become top Brit holiday destinations.