NationStates Jolt Archive

Gordon Brown has called (http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=391929)for a National Pride day.

"If there is a set day in the calendar where people realize it has got a particular function in asserting our national identity together, collectively, all of us, wherever we come from, whatever our backgrounds, we together celebrate what binds us together, that is important.
He mentioned values "fairness and liberty" as important parts of the British character that should help bind you Brits together.

Here's the thing though. Fairness and liberty may be British trait, but it isn't uniquely British. You won't see too many countries that won't claim fairness and liberty as one of thier own.

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?

This sort of thing pisses me off! We live in one of the most wealtiest nations.. we should be celebrating daily! To hell with these people who need an excuse!

Is being British a uniquely British trait? I think that's all we've got..

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?
While not being Anglo-Saxon, just Saxon sorry, as well as Scottish and Irish, I feel I can at least comment on this.

I would celebrate not being part of the continent!

:fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle:

Gordon Brown has called for a National Pride day.



He mentioned values "fairness and liberty" as important parts of the British character that should help bind you Brits together.

Here's the thing though. Fairness and Liberty may be British trait, but it isn't uniquely British.

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?

I don't think there should be a national pride day. It's a cheap gimmick by a desperate government.

Plus it sounds foreign. We don't need a 'Day' to have pride in, we _know_ we're the best. So, rudeness and unthinking arrogance could be our British traits :p

If you're looking for a serious answer, no country has unique traits. Traits that a country traditionally places a lot of emphasis on (ideally, not always in practise), though, that's a fairer and more accurate question. In that case, I'd pick liberty and fairness too.

Is being British a uniquely British trait? I think that's all we've got..

Well, some say the Irish, Americans, Indians, Australians, Canadians and various other countries are really British too, so I don't think that counts.

Well, some say the Irish, Americans, Indians, Australians, Canadians and various other countries are really British too, so I don't think that counts.


the original americans are not really british, just the ones who took america over.

Gordon Brown has called (http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=391929)for a National Pride day.


He mentioned values "fairness and liberty" as important parts of the British character that should help bind you Brits together.

Here's the thing though. Fairness and liberty may be British trait, but it isn't uniquely British. You won't see too many countries that won't claim fairness and liberty as one of thier own.

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?
Doesn't have to be unique, America celebrates Independance day, as do a lot of other countries, they're all celebrating independace.

Doesn't have to be unique, America celebrates Independance day, as do a lot of other countries, they're all celebrating independace.

Who are the British going to be celebrating independence from? You guys pwn all in that regard.

Independence days are usually a unique thing. It the people celebrating the day that their country threw off the shackles of tyrants/foreign countries and started governing themselves.

Who are the British going to be celebrating indepence from? You guys pwn all in that regard.

I think he's just saying that the word 'unique' as in 'unique traits' isn't very helpful in this context - rather like I did :)

We could celebrate fish and chips and battered chocolate bars!

We could celebrate fish and chips and battered chocolate bars!



as an american, please explain to me battered chocolate bars.

im intrigued and at the same time grossed out.

as an american, please explain to me battered chocolate bars.

im intrigued and at the same time grossed out.

Ahh..

You see, you freeze a mars bar (milky way to americans), coat it in batter, and deep fry it. A traditional scottish delicacy.

We could celebrate our marvellous nation of Chav culture, ASBO's, a labour government and a failing health service.....

Or, a personal favourite of mine suggested by a friend "Empire Day".:p

Ahh..

You see, you freeze a mars bar (milky way to americans), coat it in batter, and deep fry it. A traditional scottish delicacy.


they used to call them mars bars here (at least ive heard that term on several occasions)


but that sounds seriously disgusting, just like the time i tried haggis (i probably spelled that wrong)

then again back home in philly our staple is scrapple basically floor shavings of meat put into a bucket (it looks grey for fuck sake) *shudders*

Ahh..

You see, you freeze a mars bar (milky way to americans), coat it in batter, and deep fry it. A traditional scottish delicacy.


they used to call them mars bars here (at least ive heard that term on several occasions)


but that sounds seriously disgusting, just like the time i tried haggis (i probably spelled that wrong)

but then have you ever tried scrapple its the philly staple and its basically floor scraps

Or, a personal favourite of mine suggested by a friend "Empire Day".:p

Oh, that wouldn't go down well with the PC crowd would it?

A point in it's favour.

In my day we didn't go around saying how great we were, everybody knew that.

I would support the introduction of the day but only if we made this (http://oules.lightentertainment.org/myths/prejudice.html) our national anthem.

Who are the British going to be celebrating independence from? You guys pwn all in that regard.

What are you talking about? They still haven't thrown out the Normans who came 940 years ago!

Oh, that wouldn't go down well with the PC crowd would it?

A point in it's favour.

Precisely, in fact, I might just find out the date of the conquest of India, and make that honorary "empire day". Who's in?

I would support the introduction of the day but only if we made this our national anthem.

Damn straight.

What are you talking about? They still haven't thrown out the Normans who came 940 years ago!

26 counties in Ireland did however manage this. It only took them about 750 years though.

Precisely, in fact, I might just find out the date of the conquest of India, and make that honorary "empire day". Who's in?

There used to be an Empire day, in about 1954 they changed it to Commonwealth day, and it was dropped about 1958 because of lack of interest.

26 counties in Ireland did however manage this. It only took them about 750 years though.

How am I supposed to see a bunch of guys named 'Norman' as a serious threat??? :p

How am I supposed to see a bunch of guys named 'Norman' as a serious threat??? :p

Well it doesn't matter anyway, we anglicised them then went back and took over half of France with 'em.

Oh, that wouldn't go down well with the PC crowd would it?

A point in it's favour.

A serious point, techically what is un "PC" about empire?

A serious point, techically what is un "PC" about empire?
Partly some of the evil stuff we did to get it
Partly some of the evil stuff we did while we had it
Partly the fact that there are a lot of people in Britain who are from former parts of the Empire, and it's seen as wrong to celebrate Britain conquering their countries (because it's perceived as implying we're better than you, eg Empire Day=The Day we kicked the ass of all your ancestors)

Same reasons they avoid teaching Empire History in school (also to stop bullying of people of Indian etc heritage,)

Generally because in trying to unite the different cultures in the UK, they don't think it's a good idea to celebrate conquering those cultures (see above implication)

cream tea and cucumber sandwiches
stonehenge
our array of literary classics and authors

Partly some of the evil stuff we did to get it
Partly some of the evil stuff we did while we had it
Partly the fact that there are a lot of people in Britain who are from former parts of the Empire, and it's seen as wrong to celebrate Britain conquering their countries (because it's perceived as implying we're better than you, eg Empire Day=The Day we kicked the ass of all your ancestors)

Same reasons they avoid teaching Empire History in school (also to stop bullying of people of Indian etc heritage,)

Generally because in trying to unite the different cultures in the UK, they don't think it's a good idea to celebrate conquering those cultures (see above implication)
How utterly idiotic...:rolleyes: Britain is what it is now due to the Empire. Its immense wealth is a legacy of the Empire. History should not be rubbed out of history books, as if we are too weak-minded to face it. I may not be British (more Saxon than anything else), but I don't think the Empire should be erased. That is merely denial. France celebrates the Napoleonic Empire, Russia celebrates its Tsarist and Soviet empires, Japan celebrates its imperial history...are we Europeans generally turning into a bunch of pathetic defeatists?

the original americans are not really british, just the ones who took america over.
Then the poster would have said Native Americans...he didn't.

How utterly idiotic...:rolleyes: Britain is what it is now due to the Empire. Its immense wealth is a legacy of the Empire. History should not be rubbed out of history books, as if we are too weak-minded to face it. I may not be British (more Saxon than anything else), but I don't think the Empire should be erased. That is merely denial. France celebrates the Napoleonic Empire, Russia celebrates its Tsarist and Soviet empires, Japan celebrates its imperial history...are we Europeans generally turning into a bunch of pathetic defeatists?

Not Europeans, but British possibly; and not necessarily pathetic defeatists, just modest and too polite to mention that we once owned a quarter of the globe.

There's the other controversy about what it means to be British, the US has the American Dream, however mythical it is, it's an ideal to rally towards and celebrate. Often what is stereotypically British is said to be English-ness forced onto the Celts (I'm 1/2 welsh and 1/2 English so I see both sides of the argument) who are often complaining of Britain still being an unequal partnership with everything being Anglo-centric (eg the British National Anthem being the English National Anthem doesn't sit well at all with the Welsh) and they have their own celebrations (Patron Saint's days) celebrating their own individual culture.

Not Europeans, but British possibly; and not necessarily pathetic defeatists, just modest and too polite to mention that we once owned a quarter of the globe.

There's the other controversy about what it means to be British, the US has the American Dream, however mythical it is, it's an ideal to rally towards and celebrate. Often what is stereotypically British is said to be English-ness forced onto the Celts (I'm 1/2 welsh and 1/2 English so I see both sides of the argument) who are often complaining of Britain still being an unequal partnership with everything being Anglo-centric (eg the British National Anthem being the English National Anthem doesn't sit well at all with the Welsh) and they have their own celebrations (Patron Saint's days) celebrating their own individual culture.
Defeatism is a general European phenomenon currently. Anyone who would read European Dream by Jeremy Rifkin though would realise that such attitudes are dangerous for the EU's future. What I hope we do is avoid moving from shying away from promulguating our achievements, to apologising for them, whilst other nations triumphantly celebrate theirs.

I am aware that the British identity is a convoluted notion. Being South African, mainly from a WASP family, with Dutch and some Greek and Scottish blood, it gets even more confusing to figure out what British means. Many South Africans regard Britain in high esteem, even many of us Afrikaaners now. I suppose we associate the term British with England mostly.

How am I supposed to see a bunch of guys named 'Norman' as a serious threat??? :p

Watch Psycho and get back to me on that one.

Watch Psycho and get back to me on that one.
It's harder when they're led by a guy titled "the bastard".;)

Defeatism is a general European phenomenon currently. Anyone who would read European Dream by Jeremy Rifkin though would realise that such attitudes are dangerous for the EU's future. What I hope we do is avoid moving from shying away from promulguating our achievements, to apologising for them, whilst other nations triumphantly celebrate theirs.

I am aware that the British identity is a convoluted notion. Being South African, mainly from a WASP family, with Dutch and some Greek and Scottish blood, it gets even more confusing to figure out what British means. Many South Africans regard Britain in high esteem, even many of us Afrikaaners now. I suppose we associate the term British with England mostly.
That's partially why we seem apologist, Britain as a country is unsure of itself, it's struggling to find a way to celebrate "Britishness" without being perceived to be putting down other cultures. Plus the unsurety about what Britishness is, since foreigners often tend to think Britain=England, which (as I mentioned before) p!sses the Welsh/N.Irish/Scottish off like nothing else.

That's partially why we seem apologist, Britain as a country is unsure of itself, it's struggling to find a way to celebrate "Britishness" without being perceived to be putting down other cultures. Plus the unsurety about what Britishness is, since foreigners often tend to think Britain=England, which (as I mentioned before) p!sses the Welsh/N.Irish/Scottish off like nothing else.
We inherited the English culture and ideals, alongside Dutch and some elements of German culture, so I suppose we do regard England as the dominant persona of Britain. Sometimes I wonder whether or not Britain should break apart, so each nation can feel proud to be an entity of its own. Maybe Great Britain as an idea is not one that works well.

It's harder when they're led by a guy titled "the bastard".;)

Yeah, but 'William' on its own isn't particularly terrifying.

Yeah, but 'William' on its own isn't particularly terrifying.
Just William?

another reason for us Brits to be ashamed...

Je ne conviens pas entièrement, bien que je sois d'accord avec quelques pièces que je pas d'autres. C'était un poteau inutile n'était pas lui ?

We could celebrate our marvellous nation of Chav culture, ASBO's, a labour government and a failing health service.....

Or, a personal favourite of mine suggested by a friend "Empire Day".:p

No! We should celebrate the great victorian era, when the sub human poor were kept in their place and weren't allowed to rise above their station, the rich could do whatever they wanted, as is their god given life, and disease ran rampant, leading to a massive mortality rate, especially for infants!

Far better than this so called "society", where...uh...well, I once heard a youth use the word "innit", and wear some clothes I don't happen to find attractive! Discraceful!

No! We should celebrate the great victorian era, when the sub human poor were kept in their place and weren't allowed to rise above their station, the rich could do whatever they wanted, as is their god given life, and disease ran rampant, leading to a massive mortality rate, especially for infants!

Far better than this so called "society", where...uh...well, I once heard a youth use the word "innit", and wear some clothes I don't happen to find attractive! Discraceful!
People dare rise above their station now?! :eek: How utterly preposterous! I shall call a meeting of the Gentleman's Club at once to tackle with this...this farce!

No, but, seriously - Britain has achieved so much and produced so many great people in proportion to it's size. One of the most inventive nations on earth, a very impressive military track record, many literary and philosophical greats, scientists etc etc etc.

You don't need to look to the empire to find something for Britain to be proud of...

No, but, seriously - Britain has achieved so much and produced so many great people in proportion to it's size. One of the most inventive nations on earth, a very impressive military track record, many literary and philosophical greats, scientists etc etc etc.

You don't need to look to the empire to find something for Britain to be proud of...
Very true. Now for the British to realise this :p

It's just nostalgia, to be honest. The only argument against I've seen is that of cost if the entire country took another day off, which I don't find terribly reasonable, given the amount of sick day people take off anyway. Everyone taking one more day off to have a good time isn't going to destroy the world.

We've got plenty to celebrate; even if we can't agree about the future, it's easier to be united on a glorious past, I feel.

Still one will have naysayers, but ultimately you're not obliged to take part in any celebrations taking place and you're getting a day off anyway, so why complain?:)

Is being British a uniquely British trait? I think that's all we've got..
There's the fact that we're not American as well: that's worth celebrating, which is probably why Blair has spent a lot of effort since '97 trying to abolish it.

We work the longest hours in Europe with the fewest holidays (and I think the US is also below us in those stakes), perhaps we could celebrate that by going into work and working a bit harder that day.

We've had more wars than any other currently existing country, go us:mp5: :sniper:

Who can't forget that, not just the scientists and philosiphers, writers and our empire, we can also celebrate the fact that the greatest Music has come out of our nation, like a small band named the Beatles!! but so many other amazing bands as well, trust me. Also the fact that we invented the best sports: football, rugby, cricket, tennis and many others which are massive all over the world (except in america) and what about our great comedians.. well whatever but dont forget all that.

No one had a nice time in the victorian era but its not as if the British left some Golden age of home baked bread and Pride and Predjedice. The victorian slums were pretty awful but without the industrial revolution you couldn't enjoy the friuts of world industry, like the home PC your using right now.
The British empire, I would argue, has made the world a better place. While it caused problems it caused no more then any of its rival empires and you can't expect it to stand up to the analysis of these more enlightened times. The Empire, despite its various less glorious moments, gave many parts world a rule of law that would not otherwise have existed, the common law, representative assemblies, Scottish and English banking, (generally) uncorrupt government and cricket. Now did the Belgians give anyone any of those things?

What amuses me is that the call was delivered to the Fabian Society - a left-wing think tank that Old Labour came from. Left? Patriotism? How does that work?

What amuses me is that the call was delivered to the Fabian Society - a left-wing think tank that Old Labour came from. Left? Patriotism? How does that work?
Economically left-wing, right-wing when it comes to the nation...perfectly possible.

Economically left-wing, right-wing when it comes to the nation...perfectly possible.

The Fabian society mainly looks at social issues but I take your point

The Fabian society mainly looks at social issues but I take your point
It exists still? :eek: I was studying it in A-Level History. I thought it would have dissolved by now.

Probably afore mentioned.

But Britishness to me is all about Inventing/Pioneering something... then becoming rather rubbish at it.

Ie:
Sports: Tennis, Cricket, Football etc.
World Domination: America owns everything now.
Pop Idol/X Factor: Shane Ward cannot sing that song!!
Polite Society: Overrun by Chavs...
Industry: First the Germans took over, now Asia.

I do believe the list goes on... Feel free to ammend.

Here's the best illustration I can give for a successful 'national pride day.'


Wake up, spend between ten minutes and an hour contemplating the United States, and then party until you pass out drunk.

Here's the best illustration I can give for a successful 'national pride day.'


Wake up, spend between ten minutes and an hour contemplating the United States, and then party until you pass out drunk.

Lol... Yes... i do believe Britain has developed an unhealthy obsession with the States.

Gordon Brown has called (http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=391929)for a National Pride day.


He mentioned values "fairness and liberty" as important parts of the British character that should help bind you Brits together.

Here's the thing though. Fairness and liberty may be British trait, but it isn't uniquely British. You won't see too many countries that won't claim fairness and liberty as one of thier own.

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?
Oooh la la,
I'm sure I am not alone in saying we do not need Gorden Brown. Moreover, we do not require a National pride day. Unique? Yes.
The reason being that much as we have a multicultural situation here and do not hang flags outside our houses as in America, Denmark and many other counties, we are one. Hard to explain to an outsider how it works but when the flag goes up.....we act. Not that I for one have a problem with National pride, we just do it more than we talk about it. We will never be closer to neighboring (emphasis on boring) contries because we realise we are never that far away.
Unique.

Meh. Britain has in the past done some great things that should be celebrated.

But a day to celebrate Brtishness?? WTF is that?

Frankly, Britain sucks at the moment, and unless it pulls itself together, I'll be leaving after uni...

Meh. Britain has in the past done some great things that should be celebrated.

But a day to celebrate Brtishness?? WTF is that?

Frankly, Britain sucks at the moment, and unless it pulls itself together, I'll be leaving after uni...
Same here...probably heading off to Sweden lol

Meh. Britain has in the past done some great things that should be celebrated.

But a day to celebrate Brtishness?? WTF is that?

Frankly, Britain sucks at the moment, and unless it pulls itself together, I'll be leaving after uni...
May I pack your bags and drive you to the airport?

Same here...probably heading off to Sweden lol
Er, are you not from South Africa? Why did you leave or is your memory fading.....

Instead of a national pride day why don't we spend the money on somthing fun like parkland or a cathedral or a statue or airship or war in Iran or the Flashman novels serialised at the cinema with free admission!

Er, are you not from South Africa? Why did you leave or is your memory fading.....
Wow, observant. I left against my own will. Not that I have a problem with Britain really, I love it, but I've always wanted to go to Sweden. :)

Wow, observant. I left against my own will. Not that I have a problem with Britain really, I love it, but I've always wanted to go to Sweden. :)

Strange of all my friends and relations who have emmigrated none have chosen Sweden...

How many Swedes does it take to paint a wall?

30, 3 to paint the wall and 27 to organise crowd control!

Only joking i'm sure Sweden is lovely and not at all boring.

Strange of all my friends and relations who have emmigrated none have chosen Sweden...

How many Swedes does it take to paint a wall?

30, 3 to paint the wall and 27 to organise crowd control!

Only joking i'm sure Sweden is lovely and not at all boring.
Yep, so I am looking forward to going there ^^

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?

Being the most Patronising Smug bunch of bastards ever to walk the face of the world old chap, what else?

Our sense of Honour (those who still have it), Our real beer, our History, our Empire.

Well, most people living in the current century wont be celebrating that last... I will be :D

Sporting Fair play.

Being one of the last "proper" countries i.e. having some royals in that palacy thing and not being a silly republic :P



What I want to know is why are we only allowed to do this on one day of the year?


or the Flashman novels serialised at the cinema with free admission!

AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY That would ROCK.

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?

Being the most Patronising Smug bunch of bastards ever to walk the face of the world old chap, what else?

Our sense of Honour (those who still have it), Our real beer, our History, our Empire.

Well, most people living in the current century wont be celebrating that last... I will be :D

Sporting Fair play.

Being one of the last "proper" countries i.e. having some royals in that palacy thing and not being a silly republic :P



What I want to know is why are we only allowed to do this on one day of the year?


or the Flashman novels serialised at the cinema with free admission!

AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY That would ROCK! But I would hate to be the bloke answering the complaints phone at the cinema :P

So my question to you Brits: What is it that you'll be celebrating that will bind you closer to your fellow British, but not bind you closer to your neighboring countries? What uniquely British trait will you be celebrating?

Being the most Patronising Smug bunch of bastards ever to walk the face of the world old chap, what else?

Our sense of Honour (those who still have it), Our real beer, our History, our Empire.

Well, most people living in the current century wont be celebrating that last... I will be :D

Sporting Fair play.

Being one of the last "proper" countries i.e. having some royals in that palacy thing and not being a silly republic :P



What I want to know is why are we only allowed to do this on one day of the year?


or the Flashman novels serialised at the cinema with free admission!

AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY That would ROCK! But I would hate to be the bloke answering the complaints phone at the cinema :P

Me.:)

Have "Blessed Chris" day.:)

Our sense of Honour (those who still have it), Our real beer, our History, our Empire.

Well, most people living in the current century wont be celebrating that last... I will be :D

Being one of the last "proper" countries i.e. having some royals in that palacy thing and not being a silly republic :P

Heh then I guess I'll be celebrating with you...I liked the Empire :p And the monarchy ^^

Heh then I guess I'll be celebrating with you...I liked the Empire :p And the monarchy ^^

Jolly good show, what ever transpired in relation to the NBIP?

Jolly good show, what ever transpired in relation to the NBIP?
NBIP? Refresh my memory...

NBIP? Refresh my memory...

New British Imperialist Party

NS election party that was damn funny, and terribly British too.

New British Imperialist Party

NS election party that was damn funny, and terribly British too.
I guess I wasn't here back then :p

Elgesh']
Plus it sounds foreign. We don't need a 'Day' to have pride in, we _know_ we're the best. So, rudeness and unthinking arrogance could be our British traits :p
.

DAMN RIGHT !!! :D

Celebrate the BBC, where else in the world would you get a broadcast station that is funded directly by the government, that then enters into a bitter court case against said government regarding it's reporting.:fluffle:

Being left wing and patriotic isn't exactly strange - in fact it's only in places like the US and UK where it is. If you look at most of Europe being left wing often goes hand in hand with patriotism as much as being right wing does.

Frankly, I kind of feel ashamed of fellow left wingers when they are constantly banging on about how bad Britain is and how great everywhere else is. To quote Gilbert and Sullivan;

"Then the idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone,
All centuries but this, and every country but his own"

To be British is to achieve great things when faced with adversity. And when I say great things, I mean start with a wet, miserable island on the ass edge of a continent whose one attempt at a serious empire has just collapsed, then end with total 0wnag3 of the worlds sea surface and 25% of the land mass. Not to mention beginning the hold global trade/mass industry thing. Oh yeah and we abolished slavery and used the Royal Navy to hunt slave traders.

Thats one thing I think we can be proud of.