NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm a British citizen, and I although very much in favour of the EU (with HUGE reform), I'm sick being described by my American (as in USA) friends at uni as a 'european.' As stated before, I'm not anti treaty, but does anyone not recognise nation states any more! I am after all very much aware that many Canadians don't like being grouped with 'Americans' (understandibly).

Nations of the EU can have very disparate social and economic policies and yet they are often talked of as if they are the same. Europeans are often rounded into one group of people.....I know we share so many good and bad things, but we are different.


Any other people from our continent share my grief, or is it just me?

, I'm sick being described by my American (as in USA) friends at uni as a 'european.'
You are from the continent of Europe therefore you are a European.

Just like someone from Asia is Asian etc...

You are from the continent of Europe therefore you are a European.

Just like someone from Asia is Asian etc...
And someone from Cuba or Brazil is American

Besides (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_not_pro_of_the_nat)

Americans tend to generalize on Europeans because Europe as a whole tends to be more leftist than the US. This can even be found in the UK's policies. Americans just find it easier to generalize about this because of the similarities that these people have. Plus european countries are also closer to one another than most other countries in the world are(The EU, europeans tend to travel to other european countries very often compared to most other nations)

I don't mind being called european but I dislike it when people say things like:
"European culture" or "European economic model" or anything that is different in every country.

And someone from Cuba or Brazil is American

Latin American, but your point half stands

I take the point of travel (although I would describe the UK as the least left wing country of the EU) and agree with Seosavists predominantly. Sill, lumping Mexican, USA and Canadians together would seem odd (as North Americans)... why is it ok for Europeans?

As an American, I can sympathize with you. Just like people assume all Europeans are of the same, people assume all Americans are clones of each other. We don't all think Bush is wonderful (or stupid, for that matter). We don't all think separation of church and state isn't normal. I recognize that there are certain traits that bind the people of Europe together, but there is a huge difference between, say, France and Britain.

I don't understand what kind of point Leonstein is tryign to make at all.

I think it's the Europeans are less proud of their nationality then most other people.

But I could be wrong.

Thank you NoRights4You, I. I feel bad for singling out USA citizens in my wrath. It's true that the USA is judged ill by many people over here, which is a shame, as it has many great people as its citizens....and sadly, one president (good or bad) can skew judgements of a nation.

Wizard Glass .... I believe you are enforcing my point....there are many nations within the EU that are very proud of their nations....not least the British, French and Danish (forgive me any other EU people I haven't noted). The United Kingdom and the Republic of France especially evoke images of strong patriotism..... we do not, however all group as one.

The point was that European nations are overly represented in statistics for not being patriotic.
I would extrapolate that the EU has already replaced much of the old hanging-on to the concept of the "nationstate".

But then again, there are other stats (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_ver_pro_of_the_nat) as well.

You are from the continent of Europe therefore you are a European.

precisely. besides i am more than happy to call myself European, and would rather do this than be "Brisitsh"

The point was that European nations are overly represented in statistics for not being patriotic.
I would extrapolate that the EU has already replaced much of the old hanging-on to the concept of the "nationstate".

But then again, there are other stats (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_ver_pro_of_the_nat) as well.
But Ireland is mostly pro-eu so I don't think these stats have anything to do with eu replacing the concept of nationstates (that would be a good name for a game... Oh damn it's taken already.).

wow this one is suprising: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_wil_fig_for_cou&int=-1

Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are high then the us in fighting for their country

Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are high then the us in fighting for their country
Why wouldn't they? They've got an awesome society.

Interesting though that 47% of Germans are still up for it.

Why wouldn't they? They've got an awesome society.

Interesting though that 47% of Germans are still up for it.
It's just the US has more in-your-face patriotism.

If I heard someone call my nationality european. I would flip! I do not want the EU to be turned into some kinda nation with a constitution!! I am Irish and will always be IRISH!!! IRISH AND PROUD!!

If I heard someone call my nationality european. I would flip! I do not want the EU to be turned into some kinda nation with a constitution!! I am Irish and will always be IRISH!!! IRISH AND PROUD!!
How boring. You're so average.

Anyways, you already have European Citizenship.

If I heard someone call my nationality european. I would flip! I do not want the EU to be turned into some kinda nation with a constitution!! I am Irish and will always be IRISH!!! IRISH AND PROUD!!
:rolleyes: From Cork figures...






:D (joking; kind of) :p

Ah man, I'm having a hard enough time concieving of the East Coast having all those states instead of two and a big one, now you want me to form a concept of whole seperate nations all the way over there? Man, your lucky if I can tell the difference between Truckey and Turlok....






I'm kidding, really-though in the jest is part of the answer.

How boring. You're so average.

Anyways, you already have European Citizenship.

Like I care! The one I care about is my passport with the harp on it!
Oh and you from Dub. Are Dubs not patriotic? Yes im from cork. so?
Are you a patriot of eire?

Like I care! The one I care about is my passport with the harp on it!
Oh and you from Dub. Are Dubs not patriotic? Yes im from cork. so?
Are you a patriot of eire?
:D
This reminds me of this children's TV Show...
Jakers! The adventures of Piggly Winks. Or something like that.
They all speak like Irish people.

Jakers? I have heard of that somewhere. Is it a irish show?

:D
This reminds me of this children's TV Show...
Jakers! The adventures of Piggly Winks. Or something like that.
They all speak like Irish people.
Ahh I hate that show :mp5:
They all where aran jumpers and speak like leprecons (noone in Ireland speaks like that) and it's all in the countryside, it's not like the Irish countryside either (the road are too wide)
It's a childrens show that I think was made in america by someone who's only knowledge of Ireland is what he found out from watching movies with leprecons in them and did a bit of research on the web.

yeah I'd say I'm patriotic.

Ahh I hate that show :mp5:
LOL

If I heard someone call my nationality european. I would flip! I do not want the EU to be turned into some kinda nation with a constitution!! I am Irish and will always be IRISH!!! IRISH AND PROUD!!
and whats the difference between you and, say, a French person, or a Spanish person?
apart from the obvious language differences (though we all speak english anyway)

wow this one is suprising:

Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are high then the us in fighting for their country

Gotta be that Viking heritage. :p

and whats the difference between you and, say, a French person, or a Spanish person?
apart from the obvious language differences (though we all speak english anyway)

Culture

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_not_pro_of_the_nat

I think 90% is to low, I would have tought that it would have been higher.
And I see that a lot of nations are cowards.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_not_pro_of_the_nat

How can any one not be proud of there nation.

I'm a British citizen, and I although very much in favour of the EU (with HUGE reform), I'm sick being described by my American (as in USA) friends at uni as a 'european.' As stated before, I'm not anti treaty, but does anyone not recognise nation states any more! I am after all very much aware that many Canadians don't like being grouped with 'Americans' (understandibly).

Nations of the EU can have very disparate social and economic policies and yet they are often talked of as if they are the same. Europeans are often rounded into one group of people.....I know we share so many good and bad things, but we are different.


Any other people from our continent share my grief, or is it just me?

i am sick to the back teeth of it personally

Americans tend to generalize on Europeans because Europe as a whole tends to be more leftist than the US. This can even be found in the UK's policies.

Obviously never heard of the house of lords! bloody more rightwing than America...the house of commons however tend to be quite leftist

Nations always hate the Nations closest to them.

Especially if they're similar size's, which is why Britain, France and Germany have always had a healthy (sic) rivalry.

Which means that they like to emphasise the differences between in order to stand out, even if there's not really that much difference. Most ordinary people living their lives are pretty much the same wherever you go.

But saying that language is a pretty big divider.

And remember within large countries there can be pretty big differences. Compare New Yorker to a Texan, (liberal & conservative) or even Kerala and Rajistan (communist and fascist)

Thinking about it that applys to small countries as well.

Anyway don't feel bad, when most people say European they're thinking about the Franco-Germanic-Scandanavian way of living, that doesn't include Britain.

Or any of the ten new states either.

wow this one is suprising: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_wil_fig_for_cou&int=-1

Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are high then the us in fighting for their country

Of course. Their neutral countries. It's easier to say you'll fight for your country when its never involved in a fight

I get peeved eough being clumped together as the UK or having to cal myself British, It's Edlang and I'm English ...... Being called European is even more peeving .....

I don't have a problem with that, it's the easiest way for me to describe my nationality.

After all, I was born in Austria, grew up in Germany and now live in Ireland. So, what am I? European.

I get peeved eough being clumped together as the UK or having to cal myself British, It's Edlang and I'm English ...... Being called European is even more peeving .....

i am British..i dont really call my self English..its just too football related these days...the st georges flag was hijacked etc....such a shame

I'm not a Euro fan...in fact, I'm more of a Euro skeptic and will be voting 'no' on the Euro when we finally get around to having a Referendum...

I also dislike being referred to as a 'European'...on forms when it asks for your Nationality, you do not put 'European'...you put British, French, German, etc

I'm British through and through...but if you really want to split hairs - I'm English

Cup of tea anyone?

Is it just me, or is the majority of people who have a problem with being called Europeans British/English??? :confused:

Is it just me, or is the majority of people who have a problem with being called Europeans British/English??? :confused:

the later

I get peeved eough being clumped together as the UK or having to cal myself British, It's Edlang and I'm English ...... Being called European is even more peeving .....

Agreed. Yipeee someone who thinks like me at last. :cool:

And what annoys me even more is forms where they ask your nationality, it has things like:

British Irish
British Scottish
British Welsh
British Indian
British Asian
British White
etc

But no bloody English or British English, I mean what the hell is this? :P

Usually I tick 'Other' and put 'English White' or just 'English' hehe, they really don't like that. :D

Oh dear my typing spelling was dreadfull in my post!!! :eek:

There does seem to be an assumption that Europe = EU, which must be galling for the likes of Norway and Switzerland, to name but two non-EU countries in Europe. That said, some* generalisations are fair. The nations at the heart of the EU do tend to have a lot of common ground in terms of policy; Fennoscandian (Scandinavia + Finland) nations likewise. The UK, however, has always been vehement in maintaining its uniqueness - it sometimes seems like the countries that comprise it have little enough common ground as it is.


*and not nearly enough to justify most of the instances that have prompted this topic

You're probably right...many of us don't want to be drawn further into the shambles that is European Union and the Euro Zone...

We like our Pounds in Sterling thank you very much Jacques

Agreed. Yipeee someone who thinks like me at last. :cool:

And what annoys me even more is forms where they ask your nationality, it has things like:

British Irish
British Scottish
British Welsh
British Indian
British Asian
etc

But no bloody English or British English, I mean what the hell is this? :P

Usually I tick 'Other' and put 'English White' or just 'English' hehe, they really don't like that. :D

I do that as well!!! :)

It's just the US has more in-your-face patriotism.

I'm not so sure about that. The US has 300 million people. It's bound to be a bit louder. That, and US nationalism has been around since at least 1810-1814, whereas European nationalism is a relatively new phenomenon, say from ~1995.

If I heard someone call my nationality european. I would flip! I do not want the EU to be turned into some kinda nation with a constitution!! I am Irish and will always be IRISH!!! IRISH AND PROUD!!

I assure you, New Yorkers are no less proud to be New Yorkers today than in 1770. And the Virginians only barely joined the US... 12th out of the 13 to ratify... in a close vote.

Culture
and? this makes us actually different how?
i think you'll find quite striking cultural similarities between the people of europe, dispite any differences i'm sure you're going to trot out in responce to this :rolleyes:

and? this makes us actually different how?
i think you'll find quite striking cultural similarities between the people of europe, dispite any differences i'm sure you're going to trot out in responce to this :rolleyes:

Can you explain which similarities you're speaking of?

Can you explain which similarities you're speaking of?

clogs

Can you explain which similarities you're speaking of?
we use money and shop in shops
we all use similar business models
we eat similar food
we have similar customs like saying "hello", "thank you" and "goodbye" in our appropriate language
we all work on a similar system of law and morality
we all value education
we all value freedom
we all value and allow freedom of speech
we all operate and value democracies
we all raise our children in similar ways
we all use the same technology
we all desire peace
we all have the same wants and fears
....etc


edit: hmm this just goes to affirm my belief that all the people of the world are fundamentally the same...

we all have the same wants and fears
....etc

the Italians are scared of dogs and Montgommerey...the british are scared of insurgence from the lower echelons and losing the ashes....but that is the only thing wrong with that....the rest i agree

Well, as an American I am tired of Americans being referred to like we are one person.

Well, as an American I am tired of Americans being referred to like we are one person.

I understand..a lot of countries do the same with us(the british) i mean..i am not a leftsist village counsellor with appaling dental care in the same whay you are not a backwards nevou-imperialist christian zeolot..

How can any one not be proud of there nation.

Easily: Watch me not being proud of my country and not care - :p

I understand..a lot of countries do the same with us(the british) i mean..i am not a leftsist village counsellor with appaling dental care in the same whay you are not a backwards nevou-imperialist christian zeolot..
ah but we do drink an awful lot of tea, as per the stereotype :P
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_tea_con

Easily: Watch me not being proud of my country and not care - :p

Mind if I join you? :D

ah but we do drink an awful lot of tea, as per the stereotype :P
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_tea_con

do the same with cofee and i guarantee america is the top consumer..as per the stereotype

do the same with cofee and i guarantee america is the top consumer..as per the stereotype
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_cof_con&int=-1 :eek: the US is #12..... obviously there's room for yet more Starbucks in the US :p

ah but we do drink an awful lot of tea, as per the stereotype :P
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_tea_con


Its true!!! Its all true!!!

Its true!!! Its all true!!!
mm i do love tea :)


anyone think its time for another tea-related thread?

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_cof_con&int=-1 :eek: the US is #12..... obviously there's room for yet more Starbucks in the US :p

hmm..ok...fast food?.....

ah but we do drink an awful lot of tea, as per the stereotype :P
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_tea_con

damn. i thought we'd beaten you at the whole drinking tea thing. grrrrr, well, i best start drinking more to catch up.

I think, therefore I am

Mind if I join you? :D
Not at all: :p :fluffle: :p
(Cabra West and me not being proud of our country and not caring)

hmm..ok...fast food?.....
lol no contest there i think :P
can't find international figures, but i did find this: my favourite fast food chain :D http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Carl%27s-Jr..

I consider myself English, but then that's because I lived in Scotland for 3 years and it was made perfectly clear that I was NOT of the same nationality :headbang:

Technically, the nation I live in is England / Britain, so my nationality cannot be European. Maybe that's my continentality. :confused:

Well, as an American I am tired of Americans being referred to like we are one person.

but, but, don't you all look and sound like Bush???? :confused:

I understand..a lot of countries do the same with us(the british) i mean..i am not a leftsist village counsellor with appaling dental care in the same whay you are not a backwards nevou-imperialist christian zeolot..

Fair enough. Just like not all Americans are evangelistic red meat eating monolingual redneck gun toters... ;)

damn. i thought we'd beaten you at the whole drinking tea thing. grrrrr, well, i best start drinking more to catch up.

Both of you are going to lag behind India... :D

Fair enough. Just like not all Americans are evangelistic red meat eating monolingual redneck gun toters... ;)

Exactly

i am British..i dont really call my self English..its just too football related these days...the st georges flag was hijacked etc....such a shame
Very much so.

It happens within countries as well. I've lost count of the number of times someone's been offended by my use of the word "northerner". Some people don't mind it, some people can't stand it - most people will adopt the standard level of classification. To be honest, I'm more upset with the opposite - Americans (largely) calling me English, and referring to our country as England, when I am proud to be a citizen of Britain, not just the particular land I happen to live in.

Very much so.

glad you agree...your in the pro-british coalition of yesteryear :D to the thread..i think we are starting our first debate soon

I´m just going to enjoy myself writing responses to old posts.

It's just the US has more in-your-face patriotism.
Yeah, in Sweden you´re pretty much considered a rasist if you sing the national anthem, wave the flag or have the flag on your clothes. Pretty funny actually.

Nations always hate the Nations closest to them.
Yeah, that´s why we tried (and partially succeeded) in conquering Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic states and northern Germany. We ruled the Baltic for a while, yay!

Of course. Their neutral countries. It's easier to say you'll fight for your country when its never involved in a fight
Just because we´re not warmongerers or stupid enough to try and fight Germany in WWII.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_cof_con&int=-1 the US is #12..... obviously there's room for yet more Starbucks in the US
What do you expect? IT´S DARK HERE, WE´VE GOT TO STAY AWAKE. :P

Anyway, it´s kind of funny that Sweden is ninth in Not Proud and in Very Proud.

we eat similar food
I sure cannot contradict you about the other points. But having spent 3 months in England last year, I can tell you there are huge differences between a French and an English supermarket. There were a lot of products I had never seen before, and the cheese row was something like 5 times smaller than its French equivalent.
I had spent these three months in Leeds. That's a big enough city to find about everything you want, isn't it? But even if I never really looked for one, I do not remember having seen a bakery there. There sure were lots of sandwich shops, it was impossible to miss them. But in France I live in a 2000-inhabitants town, and there are two bakeries, with "Boulangerie" written in big bold letters on the buildings they are in.

Personally I don't mind being called a European. But I take the meaning of that word as "person who lives in Europe", not "citizen of the EU". Really the referendum we had for the constitution project really made me see how the way EU is currently led (and every single French politic, considering their campaigns) sucks.

Oh yes and the fact that people living on the other side of the Channel drive on the other way of the road can be considered culture difference. ;)

care to join our thread on the EU?

The same thing happens in America. Boston and New York City are glaringly different from eachother. Walk on the T (the boson subway) and scream "Yankees Suck", and you'll get cheers. Yell it on the NYC subway, and you'll be killed and thrown in the East River. They are each unique. However, they are still American. I am a Connecticutanian, and proud of that. I am also proud to be a New Englander. I'm also proud to be Northeastern, and Northern, and American, as well as American as in the continent. Why is it so bad to be called European? You ARE European. You can be more than one thing at once and appreciate them all equally.

Latin American, but your point half standsAmerican.

Latin is a Race...There is many Latin-American in USA, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico..

But there is also Afro-American in and Asian-Americans in the USA

,,,and of course there is some arabs and Indeans in most metropolitan areas...In USA, Brazil, Mexico, etc.

The same thing happens in America. Boston and New York City are glaringly different from eachother. Walk on the T (the boson subway) and scream "Yankees Suck", and you'll get cheers. Yell it on the NYC subway, and you'll be killed and thrown in the East River. They are each unique. However, they are still American. I am a Connecticutanian, and proud of that. I am also proud to be a New Englander. I'm also proud to be Northeastern, and Northern, and American, as well as American as in the continent. Why is it so bad to be called European? You ARE European. You can be more than one thing at once and appreciate them all equally.


ah yes..but if you take the same thing and replace the American city names with thoise of leeds, manchester and liverpool and it is the same here...the point we are makeing is that america is one country...in over words if in future insteead of just saying america i said...the new world (which includes north and south america, canada etc) you would then be cear to point out my error

Yeah, in Sweden you´re pretty much considered a rasist if you sing the national anthem, wave the flag or have the flag on your clothes. Pretty funny actually.

That’s the most stupid thing I have ever heard, not that it was news or anything. But still its sad how Sweden has become.


Yeah, that´s why we tried (and partially succeeded) in conquering Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic states and northern Germany. We ruled the Baltic for a while, yay!

Read about the times Norway and Sweden was at war, you did not take us.
And you feared us during the Viking age. We where know for your genocide wars.

Just because we´re not warmongerers or stupid enough to try and fight Germany in WWII.


yeah pretty much. Makes it easier to say you'd fight for your country. Not saying swedes are liair or pansies or anything like that. Just when your less likely to have had friends or family die in a war, your more likely to say you'd fight. me thinks anyway. meh who knows and who cares really...

American.

Latin is a Race...There is many Latin-American in USA, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico..

But there is also Afro-American in and Asian-Americans in the USA

,,,and of course there is some arabs and Indeans in most metropolitan areas...In USA, Brazil, Mexico, etc.

Latin a race????
so all of western europe, north and south america are the same race? cool

Yeah, I'm sick of it. First they call us European, then someone goes on a holiday to Germany/France/Italy saying that he's going to Europe and when he comes back, he says we Finns need to start acting like Europeans.

EU is bullshit. Prices at shops have gone up, farmers are getting more trouble, my mom (who owns a bar) has got more trouble and even this house is getting more trouble, just because of EU! I hate it.

Now when I think about it, I'm going to Helsinki next week. Maybe I'll buy an EU flag and burn it... yes, with world championships and everything, maybe I'd get on TV *mwuahhaaa*.

EDIT: I'm proud to be a Finn, I'm proud to come from a Nordic Country, I'm proud of belonging in the Finno-Ugric tribe, but goddammit I'm not proud to be EU-ropean!

I'm a British citizen, and I although very much in favour of the EU (with HUGE reform), I'm sick being described by my American (as in USA) friends at uni as a 'european.' As stated before, I'm not anti treaty, but does anyone not recognise nation states any more! I am after all very much aware that many Canadians don't like being grouped with 'Americans' (understandibly).

Nations of the EU can have very disparate social and economic policies and yet they are often talked of as if they are the same. Europeans are often rounded into one group of people.....I know we share so many good and bad things, but we are different.


Any other people from our continent share my grief, or is it just me?your european

ah yes..but if you take the same thing and replace the American city names with thoise of leeds, manchester and liverpool and it is the same here...the point we are makeing is that america is one country...in over words if in future insteead of just saying america i said...the new world (which includes north and south america, canada etc) you would then be cear to point out my error
I don't think it would really bother me all that much, but it also doesn't happen very often. Generally, I call people European if I am refering to a group of people from several nations, and that is just out of laziness. If I am talking about a German, an Italian, and a Pole, then its "Europeans". I guess if people stop recognizing that the countries are different and independent, then it would be annoying...and maybe that is the case, but in my area people tend to understand the differences between each nation.

I'm a British citizen, and I although very much in favour of the EU (with HUGE reform), I'm sick being described by my American (as in USA) friends at uni as a 'european.' As stated before, I'm not anti treaty, but does anyone not recognise nation states any more! I am after all very much aware that many Canadians don't like being grouped with 'Americans' (understandibly).

Nations of the EU can have very disparate social and economic policies and yet they are often talked of as if they are the same. Europeans are often rounded into one group of people.....I know we share so many good and bad things, but we are different.


Any other people from our continent share my grief, or is it just me?
Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for. You might get it!

You know what, I've decided I don't like being called Britsh either. Or English.

I'm a Londoner damnit not no stinkin' northener..

Thank you NoRights4You, I. I feel bad for singling out USA citizens in my wrath. It's true that the USA is judged ill by many people over here, which is a shame, as it has many great people as its citizens....and sadly, one president (good or bad) can skew judgements of a nation.
The outside of the US opinion seems to be driven by three non-representative, non-homogenous "Groups", our Hollywood "royalty", Criminals and Politicians. (with a certain amount of crossover between the 3...)

Non USians look at US crime/political statistics and say "SEE!" - where at best only a few, individual US States are anywhere comparable in size and population to most European countries, so it's really comparing apples and cauliflour. Conventional European thinking simply can't work in a country as large, diverse and dispersed as the US

The non-homogenous naure of USians is no more readily apparant than in the classic "red & blue" maps promulgated during and after the last election.

Europe, OTOH, to USians seems much more homogenous and "lockstep socialist" than it probably is - though overall it is far more so than the US.

It would be nice if both sides of the pond remembered that.

Yeah, I'm sick of it. First they call us European, then someone goes on a holiday to Germany/France/Italy saying that he's going to Europe and when he comes back, he says we Finns need to start acting like Europeans.

EU is bullshit. Prices at shops have gone up, farmers are getting more trouble, my mom (who owns a bar) has got more trouble and even this house is getting more trouble, just because of EU! I hate it.

Now when I think about it, I'm going to Helsinki next week. Maybe I'll buy an EU flag and burn it... yes, with world championships and everything, maybe I'd get on TV *mwuahhaaa*.

EDIT: I'm proud to be a Finn, I'm proud to come from a Nordic Country, I'm proud of belonging in the Finno-Ugric tribe, but goddammit I'm not proud to be EU-ropean!

Seriously you could afford to learn a few things from "Europe"
like here'a not-so-nice proverb I've learned while in Helsinki translated it goes something like
"if you step on a person's foot in Finland don't say "excuse me" cause then you're disturbing them twice"

THe Finns have this highly irritating "reserve" where they nearly die if you make small talk with them. Basically half the population won't talk to you unless you've known them twelve years and are married to their sister. It's ridiculous, and coming from a highly sociable European country it's infuriating. Seriously, you guys need to loosen up - you do it a bit in summer but the winters here are twice as intolerable cause of your cold attitudes.

Oh and

If I heard someone call my nationality european. I would flip! I do not want the EU to be turned into some kinda nation with a constitution!! I am Irish and will always be IRISH!!! IRISH AND PROUD!!


Chatualota, I'm Irish and I'm far far prouder of being European than Irish. Just look at our disgraceful environmental record for proof and couple this with our penchant for electing demagogues as our political leaders. Basically if we had no EU to tell us our legal limits environmentally the whole island would be a suburb of Dublin.... including the people's republic of Cork like!

I'm EUROPEAN AND PROUD!!!

I would refuse European citizenship if I could. It is horrible to be associated to the nightmare that it is the EU.

I would refuse European citizenship if I could. It is horrible to be associated to the nightmare that it is the EU.

any particular reason?

Not at all: :p :fluffle: :p
(Cabra West and me not being proud of our country and not caring)
Guess what?
May I join you too?

Im a white South African. I have nothing wrong with being called African!

Proud to be British
Proud to be Spanish
Proud to be European

Seriously you could afford to learn a few things from "Europe"
like here'a not-so-nice proverb I've learned while in Helsinki translated it goes something like
"if you step on a person's foot in Finland don't say "excuse me" cause then you're disturbing them twice"

THe Finns have this highly irritating "reserve" where they nearly die if you make small talk with them. Basically half the population won't talk to you unless you've known them twelve years and are married to their sister. It's ridiculous, and coming from a highly sociable European country it's infuriating. Seriously, you guys need to loosen up - you do it a bit in summer but the winters here are twice as intolerable cause of your cold attitudes.


Well, that's Helsinki. You can't determine what the nation's like by only looking at the capital. Oh, and the whole "small talk" is idiotic. I don't die if someone makes a small talk with me, but I still don't want to be disturbed by meaningless babbling. Really, if you don't have anything interesting to say, why say anything?

I'm not a Euro fan...in fact, I'm more of a Euro skeptic and will be voting 'no' on the Euro when we finally get around to having a Referendum...

I also dislike being referred to as a 'European'...on forms when it asks for your Nationality, you do not put 'European'...you put British, French, German, etc

I'm British through and through...but if you really want to split hairs - I'm English

Cup of tea anyone?

How can you have a referendum if you don't even have a proper contitution?

Anyway how about people being called Irish European or French European or English European although thats probably too much of a mouthfull.

How can you have a referendum if you don't even have a proper constitution?


I think they were talking about Britain having a referendum about the Euro, and secondly while the EU hasn't passed the extant form of the constitution there are previous treaties governing how we work together (Maastricht and Nice) and with some tweaking (like hopefully a decrease in some of the constitution's more liberal policies) the constitution will be passed in 5 years time. Five years may be a while for certain accesssion states to wait but it's a drop in the ocean compared to history as is the present idea of nation-states of most modern European countries, so in fairness I've no problem to be called European, I wish they taught us more European history instead of national history in shcools - learning about the fall of Rome and those big migrations by the Vandals and Goths and Visigoths- now that would have been far more interesting than the depressing list of deaths and crushed revolutions that constitutes Irish history.

Heh, and people from outside the US think there is no difference in culture between the New England States, the Southern States, the Midwest, the West, the Southwest... lump us all together like we're all happily in agreement when the nation is fairly well divided, approximately in half, over its government. (yes, 51%-49% is approximately in half)

Heck, if you look at the culture of NYC and compare it to Albany, NY you have two completely different cultures within the same state.

Also, it's understandable if people start to consider Europe as a block of countries -- that IS what the point of the EU is, correct? A confederation of states joining together and uniting under one banner economically in order to more effectively compete with other nations' economies?

;) We're not all in love with Dubya.

No we are all one nation! One country....one currency. We are one.. :D

As for the Bush NWOists -- seems like other countries are the ones working toward one world government.... ;)

American.

Latin is a Race...There is many Latin-American in USA, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico..

But there is also Afro-American in and Asian-Americans in the USA

,,,and of course there is some arabs and Indeans in most metropolitan areas...In USA, Brazil, Mexico, etc.

Um, no.
There is the continent of North America, which includes Canada, the USA, and Mexico.

Then there is Central America and South America.

The term Latin American refers specifically to this:

One entry found for Latin America.
Main Entry: Latin America
Usage: geographical name
1 Spanish America & Brazil
2 all of the Americas S of the U.S.
- Latin-American adjective
- Latin American noun

http://m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=latin+america&x=0&y=0

I'm a British citizen, and I although very much in favour of the EU (with HUGE reform), I'm sick being described by my American (as in USA) friends at uni as a 'european.' As stated before, I'm not anti treaty, but does anyone not recognise nation states any more! I am after all very much aware that many Canadians don't like being grouped with 'Americans' (understandibly).

Nations of the EU can have very disparate social and economic policies and yet they are often talked of as if they are the same. Europeans are often rounded into one group of people.....I know we share so many good and bad things, but we are different.


Any other people from our continent share my grief, or is it just me?
Maybe it's because we "Europeans" in the EU are doing our level best at becomeing our own "one nation under god". And we are further ahead on that road than the USA were 50 years after the States came into existence.

Maybe it's because we "Europeans" in the EU are doing our level best at becomeing our own "one nation under god". And we are further ahead on that road than the USA were 50 years after the States came into existence.
Pardon me, but the US was building up from (nearly) scratch, I dont think a European nation would have done any better in the same circumstances.

Pardon me, but the US was building up from (nearly) scratch, I dont think a European nation would have done any better in the same circumstances.

I don't think any offense was meant (though that's my opinion). I read Krakatoa's statement as meaning "The EU is moving toward the one-world goverment faster than the US incorporated." Though, again, that could be just my interpretation.

Maybe it's because we "Europeans" in the EU are doing our level best at becomeing our own "one nation under god". And we are further ahead on that road than the USA were 50 years after the States came into existence.

I disagree. I don't think that the EU will create one super federal superstate. It may be the dream of some of the civil servants in Brussels, Luxemburg and Strasburg but I think the vast majority of opinion in the national capitals is against this. This has been further concreted by enlargement; the eastern European new members will certainly not wish to cede further powers to Brussels - many remember all to well being effectively part of a super state in their recent past (USSR), and now that they are enjoying success as independent states any mass transfer of powers to Brussels would be unthinkable in public opinion and therefore by their governments. The Northern European countries (GB, DK, S and FIN) would be very much against any move towards creating a single state as well. We can also see increased sceptism in the founder members, as demonstrated in the no votes in the French and Dutch referenda.

The EU is definately a positive body (although it still needs reforming). I don't personally think it should aim to be a super state. A common foreign policy would be nice, but I feel it would be pretty impossible to achieve. I think we should concentrate on solidifying our collective trade clought.