Patriotic Brits

If somebody living Green Bay gets a Chicago Bears tattoo, does that make them unpatriotic?  I mean, they've obviously got a death wish, but does it really reach the level of 'not enthusiastically supporting one's country and its way of life?'

This just made me laugh out loud at work.  I hope my pretend cough afterwards was convincing.

I was poking fun at the typical Geordie sense of humor. One that I found almost universally was proud of being a Geordie and a 'northener' but very apt to take the piss out of the south and the 'English' in general - in effect, taking the piss out of themselves. Surely you've noted that by now?

Where exactly are you in Newcastle?

Im in Jesmond,and although ive noticed that blunt sense of humor that you mention,that kinda north vs south stuff,ive yet to experience that whole 'geordie not english' thing. Ive heard that scousers are more inclined to do this,but apparently,they dont get along that well...

This must be some form of Stockholm Syndrome...

If somebody living Green Bay gets a Chicago Bears tattoo, does that make them unpatriotic?  I mean, they've obviously got a death wish, but does it really reach the level of 'not enthusiastically supporting one's country and its way of life?'

And anyhow, how are you defining 'British' patriotism, particularly when you're referring to Welsh, N. Irish or Scots people?

In all aspects really,from celebrating St.David's day or any of the other saints,from displating national flags,etc etc...

Yes, but which nation!? 

You should talk to a Manx person about being Manx and NOT English or British...VERY vocal about that..and patriotic..we have the oldest continuous government...dating back to the Vikings!


If you were to moan about the state of things on the IOM..you would be told there is a boat in the morning and you can be on it!!!

In my experience, my housemates in England were all quite proud to be British. However, I never saw anyone fly the Union Jack. No one ever really pushed that they were proud to be English and they never flew the Cross of St. George.

My Scots friends are all proud to be Scottish, but wouldn't be 'proud Brits'. They are more likely to have a Flag of Scotland somewhere in their possession.

The Irish are all over the place and it could depend on which side of the road you're on in Belfast if they're more British or more Irish. But really that's a big part of their history, isn't it??
  

In my experience, my housemates in England were all quite proud to be British. However, I never saw anyone fly the Union Jack. No one ever really pushed that they were proud to be English and they never flew the Cross of St. George.

My Scots friends are all proud to be Scottish, but wouldn't be 'proud Brits'. They are more likely to have a Flag of Scotland somewhere in their possession.

The Irish are all over the place and it could depend on which side of the road you're on in Belfast if they're more British or more Irish. But really that's a big part of their history, isn't it??

Agreed,my english friends are all proud but not overly proud,whoch makes them balanced,if you let patriotism control you it makes you blind of the world outside your country,us americans should know that. Scots are the same.

The Irish are different. However the Northern Irish i think are proud but at the current state of the Republic of Ireland,my Irish friends are far from being proud!
  

The Irish are different. However the Northern Irish i think are proud but at the current state of the Republic of Ireland,my Irish friends are far from being proud!

The Irish are still proud to be Irish. Just because the government is crap, doesn't make them any less proud of their nationality. Likewise, when George Bush was the president (and the world was hating America) I wasn't any less proud to be an American. My American-ness isn't tied up with what the government is up to.

Likewise, when George Bush was the president (and the world was hating America) I wasn't any less proud to be an American.

I was, I'm afraid. 

British national identity is a very complex animal that you can't really pin down.  It's not all cut and dry, which is probably just one of the many contributing factors as to why one might perceive UK citizens as less patriotic than a place like the US (though, the US and patriotism is a whole other topic entirely and to compare the two is not really a fair or easy thing). 

I think for a lot of people their patriotism, or lack there of, will show depending on the circumstances or situation. It also might shift, depending on the circumstances, between patriotism for being British or patriotism for being Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish, etc.

You seem to be rather fond of generalisations, Brownale, and it's usually best to avoid those! 

The Irish are still proud to be Irish. Just because the government is crap, doesn't make them any less proud of their nationality. Likewise, when George Bush was the president (and the world was hating America) I wasn't any less proud to be an American. My American-ness isn't tied up with what the government is up to.

I wasn't pleased he was president, but, aside from sparking some interesting conversations of the "don't assume I liked him because I'm American" variety, I didn't see it affecting my connection to the US, even if I  felt that the direction my country was going was worrisome, nor do I let my pride in my birth country "control me". I'm the daughter of an American history teacher (who spent a few years writing speeches for congress); I'm the grand-daughter of immigrants who came to American for a better life (and found one), and I am diligent about voting in US elections still because it's both a right and a responsibility.  In fact, my banging on about how important voting is has gotten three of my UK friends to vote for the first time ever! (It was all LibDem, and now we all feel a bit foolish, but still!).
None of this has any bearing on me being over the top or uncaring about others, and none of it has prevented me from falling in love with living in the UK.
I think patriotism is more about caring deeply about making your country a better place than feeling as if your country is better than some other place.

And anyhow, how are you defining 'British' patriotism, particularly when you're referring to Welsh, N. Irish or Scots people?

I'm Welsh and British. It's like being a Texan and an American, so you can be patriotic about both. However, I don't really think it's in me to be overtly patriotic about any place.

I was, I'm afraid. 

I'm sorry you felt that way and I know you weren't the only one. I guess I felt disappointed about my fellow Americans who felt compelled to vote for him and disappointed in choices the government was making, but I was still proud of who I was and where I came from.

British national identity is a very complex animal that you can't really pin down.  It's not all cut and dry, which is probably just one of the many contributing factors as to why one might perceive UK citizens as less patriotic than a place like the US (though, the US and patriotism is a whole other topic entirely and to compare the two is not really a fair or easy thing). 

I think for a lot of people their patriotism, or lack there of, will show depending on the circumstances or situation. It also might shift, depending on the circumstances, between patriotism for being British or patriotism for being Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish, etc.

You seem to be rather fond of generalisations, Brownale, and it's usually best to avoid those! 

Do i? cripes that wasnt what i wanted!! but i do agree,i think British people (as a whole) are more quiet and reserved about their love of their country than say us. Most americans are fine,but i get really pissed off when i see those overpatriotic ones make the american stereotype look even more true,it would be a fair generalisation to say the tea party has got a fair few of these....

Why would people in England celebrate St. David's Day?  Hardly anyone here even celebrates St. George's Day.