What makes you proud to be English?

Arcade Fire said:
You and cleanbluesky are bemoaning our lack of national pride and saying that it's awful etc, but my counter-argument is that if national pride isn't a virtue then there's nothing to be sad about if we don't have any as a nation.
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Unfortunately it seems that many posters here do not understand how much their environment (on which their nationality has great influence) has effected them. Therefore, if they have 'pride' and self-esteem - and they understand the effects that their environment and oportunity within their environment has effected them - then they should be proud of their nationality. This doesn't mean that you have to place your nationality beyond all other, of adopt a "England uber alles" attitude - but people should be aware of their component influences and people should have slef esteem
 
Balddog said:
Well ive lived in England for 25 years and ive witnessed lots of people who didnt know each other meeting, both in a personal and work environment...Ive seen it maybe once or twice, usually amongst older people.

Ive certainly never used the weather as a source of conversation...Unless of course it was something crazy like the killer heatwave or snow in august.
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My thoughts exactly, it is nothing but a cheap stereotype to suggest we talk to strangers about the weather - nor do we wear bowler hats and carry black umbrellas
 
I read the OP some time ago and I had to think if I am actually proud to be English, and I don't think I am. I'm happy that I am English and that I live in England, but I'd be happy any where in the UK. Living in England and being English gives me a lot of rights and a way of living that people don't have in other countries. For that, I cannot be anything but happy.

The only times I feel any sort of national pride is probably when we have done well in sports. When England or GB wins medals at the Olympics or the commonwealth games, I feel proud that our country has produced a winner. When we won the Rugby World Cup I was proud and the same with lots of other sports. This might seem sad, but I honestly can’t think of anything else I am proud about.
 
Gilly said:
I talk to strangers about the weather :shrug:
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talking about the weather is one thing, automatically reverting to it in times of need is another...Do you really go back to the weather if theres a lull in the conversation?
 
i am not proud of my nationality, and it isn't because i am english.
i see no reason to be proud just because i was born in a certain geographical location which was by whole, not in my control
 
Simian said:
75% Tax on Fuel :mad: ( :D )

Every other contry on the plannet Hating us!

Stop the world I wanna get off!!!...
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You ever even left your county mate? Hardly anyone hates us...Lots of people like us.
 
Balddog said:
talking about the weather is one thing, automatically reverting to it in times of need is another...Do you really go back to the weather if theres a lull in the conversation?
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I'm not peddling this as something that I think all British people conform to - I'm telling you that it actually does happen. I've heard it, and not just as irregular one-offs either. It happens a lot.
 
Arcade Fire said:
I'm not peddling this as something that I think all British people conform to - I'm telling you that it actually does happen. I've heard it, and not just as irregular one-offs either. It happens a lot.
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and im telling you it doesnt :dunno: either one of us is lying or our areas must be hugely different..

PS, this kind of does say youre applying it to everyone..
I invite you to listen to any conversation between two people who don't know each other in England
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Hates probly a bit harsh but they don't like us all that much!!..

Only the Americans realy like us
Most of the Middle east (I'm not generalising), France (and most of europe - ever seen the eurovision??) - all manly due to the fact we're so Pally with America!... 51st state and all!!

and the Aussies just think we're a joke!..
 
Simian said:
Hates probly a bit harsh but they don't like us all that much!!..

Only the Americans realy like us
Most of the Middle east (I'm not generalising), France (and most of europe - ever seen the eurovision??) - all manly due to the fact we're so Pally with America!... 51st state and all!!

and the Aussies just think we're a joke!..
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Eurovision? Tell me youre joking..Have you actually been to these countries?

All of those nations added together dont even equal half the world :dunno:
India likes us, China likes us...In fact pretty much all of the far east likes us...Russia likes us, the old soviet states like us...

When I say like, I dont mean really like...but they will always be decent to you if you say youre english and they will always treat you well...

The aussies think we are a joke? Is that why half of them come here to work? Ive been to aus and everyone was really nice to me..There were the inevitable jokes but thats expected, we do the same..
 
Balddog said:
and im telling you it doesnt :dunno: either one of us is lying or our areas must be hugely different..

PS, this kind of does say youre applying it to everyone..
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Yeah, and the next line "a great number of them..." says that I'm not applying it to everyone :p.
 
A few things for me

* The principal of the NHS
* Our armed Forces and those who gave up their lives gladly to offer security to our nation to this day
* Universities
* The positive things our colonial past gave to other nations

Other than that I think I take more pride in Being Mancunian first and foremost
 
Simian said:
Hates probly a bit harsh but they don't like us all that much!!..

Only the Americans realy like us
Most of the Middle east (I'm not generalising), France (and most of europe - ever seen the eurovision??) - all manly due to the fact we're so Pally with America!... 51st state and all!!

and the Aussies just think we're a joke!..
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We like you :)
We just like to make fun of you aswell :p
And if you come to Australia with a good english accent you should have the oppisite sex all over you :(
 
cleanbluesky said:
Can the ME be said to like ANYONE outside of the ME?
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Yes very much so. I've spent a lot of time in that part of the world have never ever had so much as a peep. People in the Middle East are polite and honourable and gracious people, I have always treated them with respect and likewise so have they. They are very educated people and in my eyes very interesting and cultured people.

Believe it or not there is still a lot of people in the middle east that have respect for the UK, just have issues with the politics they choose to adhere too and the overly friendly relationship we seem to have with the US on this side of things.

As for other nations hating the UK?

The French certainly don't have a problem with it. The Aussies don't have a problem. The yanks don't, the Cubans don't, the whole of Europe doesn't, the middle east doesn't really, neither do a lot of African nations, or the Russians - don't know much about Asia, but Balddog has confirmed that they don't either.

You can't confuse individual's impressions with nationwide impressions towards politics and foreign policy etc...

As far as the OP, I'm proud to be part of such an interesting history. Through science, religion, monarchy, everything really. We have such an interesting past and heritage it's fascinating. The stereotypical stiff upper lip thing. As well as the general prude-type attitude and behaviour to a lot of things (though we're getting more laid back). The gentlemanly behaviour we are capable of. The colonial past, the honour and pride that a lot of people still have despite the problems we seem to have.
 
cleanbluesky said:
If all we will have here are people who are going to criticise what they are then OcUK seems to be full of people who are too selfish to realise what their nation does for them, or the advantages they have... how about we have a little positivity in this thread.
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C'mon now, our nation invades other countries without justification, how dare you not be proud of that?
 
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