General Chat

I'm not embarrassed to say I am English, in fact I am very proud of the fact. I went to the USA last year and was asked, "are you British?", I replied, "I am English first, British second and hoping not to be a European as soon as possible."

My Mum hates those boxes that are White British

She is Scottish first and then British. Has been know for her to cross out the word British

Hayley - our very own John :-D :-D :-D Like that a lot :-)

I always think Welsh first, British second, European third. Proud of all three as we all should be, I think. Europe is a great place to live and, according to my map, Britain and Ireland are part of that landmass.

It always amazes me how many English people are embarrassed almost to be English. But then, I suppose to insist they are British first and last and wave the Union Jack and sing the British national anthem is the only way they can link with the superior cultural qualities of Wales and Scotland.

Just as an aside. If you are an Indian living in Britain, you can buy property in India or Britain. But if you are British, you cannot buy property in India. I was amazed to find that out - they really are a very racist country compared to Britain :-0 Much more racist than Britain was in 1960's :-(

Those of us from the Home Counties have been brain washed to believe that we should consider ourselves British – we don’t have a positive strong national or local identify.

Although this will apply to other regions, Greater London is a magnet for new immigrants who over a couple of generations spread out in the hinterland. It gets to a point were you are cautious to say that you are English in case you are labelled as a xenophile! Edit - Xenophobe!

As an English person, when I go to Scotland or Wales, they're quick to point out the bleedin' obvious!

I think people need to have more to worry about! . I think it's very sad and a bit small minded that people feel the need to cross out British and write whatever else on forms...I should have so little on my mind.

I'm proud to be British and proud to be English and proud of all my heritage from all over the place. Nothing wrong with people being British and from Great Britain and I always sense that people who have to emphasise that they're English or Scottish or whatever think they're slightly superior to the rest of the UK. Luckily, I have such a mixed heritage that I see the bigger picture

:-D

I cannot deny in Wales there are huge regional differences. If you live in any of the 20 odd counties, you will probably be different to those who live in other counties or county boroughs. Probably same in Scotland between Lowlanders, Highlanders and the Midlands bit where most Scots live.

But you belong to that country and that nation and are proud of it, however proud you also are to be British and European. You sing patriotic songs, you wave patriotic flags. English have got nothing like that - Greensleeves and Swing Low don't quite cut it :-)

I have found the most patriotic flag wavers have often been immigrants to Britain. They seem happy to wave Union Jacks, St George, Welsh and Scottish flags, it seems.

Hmm...The Scots & Welsh must feel be a teeny weeny bit BRITISH as to join the BRITISH ARMY !! :-0

I'm sure they are proud to say so........

Good point, GR Marilyn. And Olympic Games as well.

Lots of Scottish and Welsh armed forces. And yes, they fight for Britain. And they also have very proud regimental traditions as well. And Jade Jones (gold medal) is definitely Welsh first, then British and Andy Murray is definitely Scottish first, British second.

I am me...............nothing special, no better or worse than anyone else, just me who happened to be born in Sussex, a county in England that is part of the British Isles.

:-D :-D

A very nice county it is Kitty. My wife and I have had many wonderful holidays there.
Love Hastings and Rye.

A young lady once told me she thought Harrogate was in Sussex. That same young lady is now Head of Geography at a school :-D :-D

I think it was because she knew someone from Harrogate and they don't talk very northern. ;-)

I was only covering those born in "Britain", NOT those born in other countries, of British parents.

:-\

I get so fed up with people who ask if I am English born. I tell them no, I was born in Scotland....... and they say "Oh, same thing, Scotland is part of England". Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Sussex is just perfect for me :-)

I could add that Britain is part of Europe which is part of the world that is known as planet Earth........therefore I am most certainly an Earthling :-D

xx

Tick the box Dizzi and then cross out "British" and write over the top English, you have as much right to be English and proud of it as the scots and welsh are proud of their nationalities.

And don't tick "White" either, Dizzi. Ask for a Dulux chart from Snow White to Black and pick shade that is closest. I am a gentle light brown in winter and a flaming and angry redskin most of summer months.

About time us off whites and off blacks had a chance to state proudly what our skin colour really is :-) ;-)

When I was requested to join hundreds of other young men into national service, in the intake we were required to fill in/out a form, and guidelines on a BLACK board stated
British-English Brit/Eng
British-Welsh Brit/Welsh
British- Scottish Brit/Scot
and I have always tried since to follow that line....

British/English
even though my paternal great grandad was Belgian, My maternal granddad was Welsh

but I was a stepanese born child(Stepney)
Bob

I know what I am - a mad swivel-eyed loon.

But who shall I back in the Eurovision?

Same as Bob :-)

When I joined the Army Reserve many years ago I was classified as British/English

I was born in Prestbury, Cheshire (and proud of it) even though I now live in Oz and took out Oz citizenship after arrival here :-D

Did you notice how all countries voted for their neighbours and countries they really liked?

Our two nearest neighbours, France and Ireland, gave Bonny a total of 7 points out of her total of just over 20. And most of those came from Ireland. Think Royaume Unis need to work on their European profile somewhat - or join with Ireland like the rugby Lions.