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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?

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

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

And you'll still claim you're American? ;)

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

There must be a reason why so many Brits are choosing to retire/move abroad. Countries like Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Singapore, etc.

I wouldnt mind having a home in Singapore, pb wants to move to Spain away from the holidaying Brits and Ben wants to move to China or Japan or Canada, he hasnt made up his mind up yet. =/

@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?

Black Glove wrote:
> It's just an overall feeling of disenchantment.

That pretty much sums up my feelings. Up until i was about 17 i never had any plans on leaving this country, i never saw the point as i was quite happy here. Now the idea of living here for the rest of my life fills me with dread. I know the saying is "Home is where the heart is" my hearts not here, i'm quite sure of that.

oh i dunno, a whole day of crazy drinking, can't see why that'd appeal to the English at all :-D

Nin wrote:
> Arent the Bush's (as well as a large portion of America) Irish
> descendents?

That actually explains a lot.

St Georges Day passed with little celebration. It seems we're more up for St Patricks Day. Why's that do you think? =)

I think i'm very patriotic and am very proud of were i'm from and how advanced we are at everything. I also kniow a lot about my countries history, follow all the sports teams and eat most of the food we make!

I'd like to feel proud of my country, England, Britain, but I can't say that I am. Not sure why.
I think the cause of my non-patriot feeling is caused by a mixture of many things, both trivial and serious. Ask me to put my finger on the reasons and, strangely, I struggle. It's just an overall feeling of disenchantment. All I can say is that something feels intrinsically superficial about the society in general. Status is deemed too important. The politics is a spider's web of spinning. It feels like its overcrowded. I don't know..

Machie wrote:
> aww I'm just kidding, you're American as apple pie Ben. Actually
> that's not true, apple pies pre-date America =/ umm you're
> American as George Bush. Ah perfect!

Arent the Bush's (as well as a large portion of America) Irish descendents?