Has anyone become Irish? (Or other EU Nationality)

[Superficial]

It may well be that for a lot of people 2016 and the Brexit campaign/vote was a wake up call about the poisonous nature of nationalist populism. My own sense of national pride is driven far more by the current values and actions of my country than any historical conquests. And I can tell you that these days I feel less proud to be English than ever before.

Well according to that survey both Germany and Belgium "hate" their country more than the English and yet are Extremely pro European and about as European as any country could be. So how the HELL does your argument work genius?

I really think a few people need to start articulating and identifying what these supposed 'benefits' to being an EU national are because as far as I can see this thread is full of people happy to live in the UK and call it a home base (when they have had DECADES to move to the EU Shangri-la btw) but want a quick and dirty passport to maybe, possibly (but let's be honest probably not) move to an EU Nation one day? It must be that because no other "benefit" is worth discussing.

 

[Mr Badger]

Well according to that survey both Germany and Belgium "hate" their country more than the English and yet are Extremely pro European and about as European as any country could be. So how the HELL does your argument work genius?

I really think a few people need to start articulating and identifying what these supposed 'benefits' to being an EU national are because as far as I can see this thread is full of people happy to live in the UK and call it a home base (when they have had DECADES to move to the EU Shangri-la btw) but want a quick and dirty passport to maybe, possibly (but let's be honest probably not) move to an EU Nation one day? It must be that because no other "benefit" is worth discussing.

Belgium is easy as it's less of a single country and more of a federation with strong regional identities and no less than three official languages. As I recall they couldn't even agree to elect a government for the best part of two years.

Germany is indeed a tricky one. Aside from the possibility that being at the heart of the EU project they might identify as being more European, what possible historic reasons could there be for some Germans to think that nationalism is not a particularly good thing?

 

[Lopéz]

Why should anyone be "proud" of their nationality? That is absurd.
I am proud of things that myself and my family I have achieved, but being proud of being born somewhere is bizzare.

It's not absurd at all. Pride is often associated with collectiveness, or a sense of belonging.

Pride does not have to be strictly associated with something you or those you've had a direct influence on have achieved.