What does it mean to be British.

[fairyprincess]

What Does it mean to be British?

Many people bemoan the lost of 'national identity' in the uk.

But what is our national identity, did i come from Christians, pagans ,celts, Romans, Saxons?

Is it in the novels of charles dickens, the plays of shakespeare, the pomes of milton, Shelly, Keats?

Is it mearly confined to these shore or has it extended right across the empire of old, or commonwealth of today. After all, the first west Indians who came on the windrush had come from the commonwealth and had fought alongside us during WW2

Or is 'british' just a euphanisum for white?

[truthseeker1980]

No British is a euphanism for,

'anyone no matter what colour or race, who is born in the UK and been through the UK indoctrination system'

Sorry I mean school.

Why do u need to ask such a dumb question?

[fairyprincess]

I asked it because just because you and I agree I get the feeling that there are some on these boards who'd disagree.....

I wanted to broaden the discussion to cover all the bases

[bendoon]

Or is 'british' just a euphanisum for white?

Yes, in the same way as African is a euphemism for black and Arab or Indian is a euphemism for brown, it's just nature and shouldn't be made into a taboo subject as the Government would prefer.

[fairyprincess]

"nature" is sometimes used as a euphanisum for 'lazy'

As in: Africa is a lazy sterotype for black.

[believenothing]

What about the Britons? Or do they fall under Celts?

I've read several theories regarding national identities. In ancient times it was not common for foreign conquering empires to displace, expel, or genocide conquered peoples. They would have people assimilate among them and rule them. Empires spreading their power would do this. Conquering hoards like the Mongols are said to have had a 'population control' quota which may or may not be true (kill a certain number of people).

Then there are wanderers looking for a new homeland because they've been displaced. Maybe by disease, famine, drought, climate change, meteor striking in Central Asia ending most civilizations on the planet and causing tropical fauna and Mammoths to freeze, etc. An example is the 13th century BC. Something global happened that was bad and caused a mixup. Civilizations were replaced.

But because of limited travel, stories like the Jewish persecution myths of Romans expelling them into slavery are not possible. The Romans were not in the business of doing that.

The Copts in Egypt are 90% genetically the same as Egyptians from thousands of years ago. Conquerors who assimilated are genetically 'bred out' which is why there is a large Celtic genetic admixture among the British Isles.

It's true that new nations and ethnicity have developed over time in certain nations of the world, but it's also true that indigenous populations have retained a lot of their ancient ancestor's genes. Nationalism in the modern sense has been used two ways. One of those is divide and conquer among differences like France did a couple centuries back. It's probably up to the individual how to define British.

As an American, I define British linguistically. Those who speak proper English. Americans... good god, not so much

[pound]

What does it mean to be human?

[observed]

What Does it mean to be British?

Every time I see this question about a white, western country the general response from the sheeple is ~being multicultural, accepting, tolerant and love having all different cultures around to worship. That's what it means to be British/every other Anglo-saxon nation.~ This answer is applauded. If you said ~being white, European, exclusive and hate having foreign/alien/uncivilised cultures around you~ that would probably get you locked up in Britain today.

Many people bemoan the lost of 'national identity' in the uk.

I do too. When you walk around the streets and the country has changed so rapidly that it becomes alien, it feels like you've lost your nation and identity. It's certainly something to bemoan.

But what is our national identity, did i come from Christians, pagans ,celts, Romans, Saxons?

All of those have contributed to British-ness in some form or another.

Is it in the novels of charles dickens, the plays of shakespeare, the pomes of milton, Shelly, Keats?

:)

Is it mearly confined to these shore or has it extended right across the empire of old, or commonwealth of today. After all, the first west Indians who came on the windrush had come from the commonwealth and had fought alongside us during WW2

Certainly extended right across the empire and it's why we have the anglosphere, but Indians aren't of British descent. We're looking at the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand here. Britons emigrating to these countries after world war 2 - often with people 200+ years removed from Britain - were still very similar to the new worlders because the same values had been treasured in those 200 years. These values are now dead basically.

Or is 'british' just a euphanisum for white?

It definitely is, not just from a British perspective either. People have been known to ask "where are all the British" when wandering around London. I don't know why people would consider non-whites British, they are so far removed from Europe.

[fairyprincess]

Every time I see this question about a white, western country the general response from the sheeple is ~being multicultural, accepting, tolerant and love having all different cultures around to worship. That's what it means to be British/every other Anglo-saxon nation.~ This answer is applauded. If you said ~being white, European, exclusive and hate having foreign/alien/uncivilised cultures around you~ that would probably get you locked up in birtian today.

First of all, I'm always lightly irked by that "probably get you locked up in britian today, political correctness gone made rhetoric."

Has anyone actually been locked up for the second answer?

Secondly, surely it's better to embrace all the people of this planet the subjegate them?

[observed]

First of all, I'm always lightly irked by that "probably get you locked up in britian today, political correctness gone made rhetoric."

Has anyone actually been locked up for the second answer?

Secondly, surely it's better to embrace all the people of this planet the subjegate them?

Wasn't one of those ~racist public transport~ ladies locked up? I think another one was awaiting her fate? Political correctness has gone mad. Embrace them, sure, but don't pretend they're British.

[knightofthegrail]

Many people bemoan the lost of 'national identity' in the uk.

But what is our national identity...?

There has never been a British national identity, as such, but rather a variety of local British identities, with local dialects, diets, music and cultural myths/folklore. This has been largely destroyed by a homogenised, globalised, mass-produced pop-culture that changes its product periodically in order to sell to the next generation a different thing from their parents (because they have been told that what is "old" is bad).

[fairyprincess]

I thought it might be cool to post a few fact about Britain.;)

The United kingdom of great britian came into being on May the first, 1707. Although the kingdom of england and wales and the kingdom of Scotland have shared a monarch since king James the first, in 1603.

[fairyprincess]

The union flag. (also known as the union Jack.) is the official flag of the united kingdom.

The current design dates from 1801.

The flag consist of:

The red cross of saint George.

The cross of saint patrick

The saltire of saint Andrew.

The flag is known as the union flag on land, but is called the union Jack at sea. Although, it has become generally known as just the union Jack.

[emerald]

When ure in Rome, do as Romans do. Period...

[maxine]

My family dates back, to Sir Richard Grenville!! However, apart from my dad joining the Navy - i personally don't have any connection to the sea! :)

[phildee3]

'anyone no matter what colour or race, who is born in the UK and been through the UK indoctrination system'



What about naturalised immigrants?

Personally, I would say it's anyone who meets the above criteria and pledges an allegiance to the nation (formally or informally).

[presidentgas]

I thought it might be cool to post a few fact about Britain.;)

The United kingdom of great britian came into being on May the first, 1707. Although the kingdom of england and wales and the kingdom of Scotland have shared a monarch since king James the first, in 1603.

The union flag. (also known as the union Jack.) is the official flag of the united kingdom.

The current design dates from 1801.

The flag consist of:

The red cross of saint George.

The cross of saint patrick

The saltire of saint Andrew.

The flag is known as the union flag on land, but is called the union Jack at sea. Although, it has become generally known as just the union Jack.

Yeah, we know.

[presidentgas]

When ure in Rome, do as Romans do. Period...

If you're in the UK, then you'd better start using "full stop" instead of "period".

Just sayin' likes...;)

[macdon]

What Does it mean to be British?

Many people bemoan the lost of 'national identity' in the uk.

But what is our national identity, did i come from Christians, pagans ,celts, Romans, Saxons?

I think to be British is to have the genetics of the people that gave Britain a national consciousness and identity.

I could be wrong here but the tribes that have done this have come from Iberia (Basques featuring strongly), Rome (probably also Greek professionals that always accompanied them), Angles from north Germany/Denmark, Saxons from somewhere in Germany (Saxony?), Jutes from Jutland in Denmark, Scandinavians particularly Norwegians and Danes as further conquerors, Vikings and Viking descendants like the Normans.

That’s it. Did I miss anyone? Did I get anything wrong?

[spoons]

To be British means working long hours for a laughably low wage that means you can never pay your bills on time much less eat properly while believing the statistical crap that everything's hunkydory.

[bernard]

From what i can gather the only 'original' Brits left are the welsh, and its the only original British language. All the rest of us are basterdized in one way or tuver.

I agree with the President there (i live in Ramsbottom btw!!! :)) I does urk when yanks say 'period' . It sticky smelly & orrible. PERIOD

[positive_forward]

Toad in the hole spotted dick and Yorkshire puds. Sunday roasts. Beer gardens. FA cup, Wimbledon.

Many people remain, through no fault of their own, under the misapprehension that bagpipes are bagpipes, instruments played by big Scottish men in kilts that create a sound that is one of the most divisive of all musical instruments.

In fact there are many different types of bagpipes – with some regional favourites across Great Britain – and among these the Irish bagpipes are one of the most pleasant sounding of all.
Irish Bagpipes more properly known as Uilleann pipes, or Uilleann Bagpipes were originally called Union Pipes and are more closely related to smaller pipes such as the Northumbrian smallpipes than they are to the traditional highland bagpipes that are the ones we think of when say the name, and they share a characteristic with their Northumbrian contemporary that distinguishes them from the Scottish pipes.

http://www.bagpipes.co.uk/irishbagpipes.html

[presidentgas]

From what i can gather the only 'original' Brits left are the welsh, and its the only original British language. All the rest of us are basterdized in one way or tuver.

I agree with the President there (i live in Ramsbottom btw!!! :)) I does urk when yanks say 'period' . It sticky smelly & orrible. PERIOD

That and when Brits say "to go" when they mean "to take away". I always get asked if I want my coffee "to go", in a particular cafe I stop off at sometimes, and I always reply "no thanks, I'll have it to take away". I'm so rebellious!

I chose the location because I saw Ramsbottom on the map when I was a kid, it made me titter, and I used Upper Ramsbottom as a location for a story I wrote at the time. Is there such a place as Upper Ramsbottom? There's a place near me called Bushy Bottom! Ooh-er!

[phildee3]

From what i can gather the only 'original' Brits left are the welsh, and its the only original British language.



What about the Cornish?

And the Manx?

And the Scots?

And don't forget where they all came from - Ireland.

[positive_forward]

Yeah well some of us have been skipping to and fro from British Ilse to British Isle for generations and breeding with fellow Islanders. I'm proud to be a Heinz 57 Britisher.:p Although mostly I'm Engrish. Off to Wales soon to try track down the ancestors.
I believe Britisher is an old word mostly defunct. I've come across it a few times in old writings from the 30s.

Mushy peas, chips and sausage (veggie) with HP sauce and sea salt. Typically British? All I had left to eat tbh. :D I prefer fish.

[positive_forward]

Faeries, Pixies Elves. Guy Fawkes, Halloween. Houses of Parliament - Lords, Ladies and the Queen. Buckingham Palace to Windsor, Stonehenge to New grange. The London Shard looks awfully strange.

Lasses and Laddies, Taffies, Jocks and Paddies. Yorkies, dog walkies, Lancy Twang to cockney sparrow, Allotment land - Bert's prize marrow.

[positive_forward]

What is it Today?
I dunno, when I was a boy - it was playing out, Cubs/scouts, wicked rhymes, school dinners - Cornish pasty, pies, green snot custard and chocolate cake and dead fly pie - later on - kiss the girls, form a band, go the disco, go to gigs, lift weights, work, look forward to the weekend and the odd weeknight delights.

[codie]

Faeries, Pixies Elves. Guy Fawkes, Halloween. Houses of Parliament - Lords, Ladies and the Queen. Buckingham Palace to Windsor, Stonehenge to New grange. The London Shard looks awfully strange.

Lasses and Laddies, Taffies, Jocks and Paddies. Yorkies, dog walkies, Lancy Twang to cockney sparrow, Allotment land - Bert's prize marrow.

What the hell is 'Lancy twang'?
Is it in relation to Lancashire? It is isn't it?......is it?

When asked my nationality I always add my own box and put ENGLISH....pedantic I know.
I'm sure I'm not the only 'british' person that does that.

[positive_forward]

What the hell is 'Lancy twang'?
Is it in relation to Lancashire? It is isn't it?......is it?

Yeah, the lingo/accent.

[themiraman]

I live in Northern Ireland and i hold a british passport but that is as far as my britishness goes i think.

People who live in other parts of the world would just see me as Irish. I don't put myself into any sort of category

I havn't got a clue what makes me British or what makes me Irish

[bernard]

That and when Brits say "to go" when they mean "to take away". I always get asked if I want my coffee "to go", in a particular cafe I stop off at sometimes, and I always reply "no thanks, I'll have it to take away". I'm so rebellious!

I chose the location because I saw Ramsbottom on the map when I was a kid, it made me titter, and I used Upper Ramsbottom as a location for a story I wrote at the time. Is there such a place as Upper Ramsbottom? There's a place near me called Bushy Bottom! Ooh-er!

Iam the same pal, it annoys me the 'americanisms'

Ive actually heard 2 PEOPLE on different days say ' hold the.... onions' and 'hold the.... gurkin' in macky dees!!

Hold the...... WTF!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAH There is no upper Ramsbottom unfortunately :( Its just 'Rammy' to us.

You could of wrote scripts for the Carry On films.......:D

[codie]

That and when Brits say "to go" when they mean "to take away". I always get asked if I want my coffee "to go", in a particular cafe I stop off at sometimes, and I always reply "no thanks, I'll have it to take away". I'm so rebellious!

Yeah when I go into one of those poncy coffee shops my mate turns American too 'can I get.....'
Infuriates me lol
No love you can't get it the person behind the counter will get it because it's their job. Sort your english out! Pfft.

It's not can I have it's MAY I have.
In most circumstances.

That is all. :)

[phildee3]

Yeah when I go into one of those poncy coffee shops my mate turns American too 'can I get.....'
Infuriates me lol
No love you can't get it the person behind the counter will get it because it's their job. Sort your english out! Pfft.

It's not can I have it's MAY I have.



I when you've said "pleeeeze" fifty times, and said "ta" enough times using your best English grammar, you just might be allowed to drink it!!

At least the Yanks know how to give service!

[phildee3]

Yeah when I go into one of those poncy coffee shops my mate turns American too 'can I get.....'
Infuriates me



Me too - it's, "Give me a...."

If they do it nicely, then I'll say, "Thank you,"

...and mean it!

[voxvot]

This type of dissembling shite crops up on a regular basis and is always blatant pro-multicultural propaganda posing very badly as an "open", "hey I was just wondering" type question.

The implied premise is that if something as complex, multifaceted and overlapping as national identity can't be summed up in a three sentence soundbite, it doesn't exist. Asking what national identity is, is like asking why a sunset is beautiful and why people like poetry. You can argue (as Tolstoy did) that Shakespeare isn't a great writer, or that sunsets aren't beautiful, and you can argue endlessly whilst even maintaining some credibility. It's just that you'd be wrong that's all. Sunsets are beautiful and Shakespeare is the greatest writer in the English language.

Britain does have a unique culture and interminably braying for proof of this identity isn't justification for the mass-disinheritance of the British working-classes by treasonous , sweatshop, factotums, hungry for waves of cheap labour.

[phildee3]

This type of dissembling shite crops up on a regular basis and is always blatant pro-multicultural propaganda posing very badly as an "open", "hey I was just wondering" type question.

The implied premise is that if something as complex, multifaceted and overlapping as national identity can't be summed up in a three sentence soundbite, it doesn't exist. Asking what national identity is, is like asking why a sunset is beautiful and why people like poetry. You can argue (as Tolstoy did) that Shakespeare isn't a great writer, or that sunsets aren't beautiful, and you can argue endlessly whilst even maintaining some credibility.



No, you can't.

[daugustus]

I don´t have any British blood but I have a clear view of what it is to be British, as well as I have a clear view of what it is to live in São Paulo regardless of the "Brazilian Federation (bollocks)"

The British play an important role in the world (regardless of the lizards) and I would not like to see the "British Experience" become a globalised blunt mixture of "nothing with nothing", as we say in Portuguese.

[valkyrieangel]

The British play an important role in the world (regardless of the lizards) and I would not like to see the "British Experience" become a globalised blunt mixture of "nothing with nothing", as we say in Portuguese.

Thank you! I identify primarily as English, rather than British, but that is a very nice thing to read :)

[humanspirit]

It means you have a British/UK passport.

[vinda]

Being British means one has a sense of fairness, justice, tolerance of others ,gentlemanly conducting in sport, good humour and spirit in adversity , courage to do the right thing, a sense of honour for retaining independence, and whose island can be likened to the temperament and character of a Jack Russel dog - A tough little bastard that kills rodents.






:)

[bendoon]

It means you have a British/UK passport.

Thats what the Government and the BBC tells me but I don't believe them for one minute.

[gremlin]

Thats what the Government and the BBC tells me but I don't believe them for one minute.

Considering the government are not even English but zionist's and jews.

Or is that the BBC?

[daugustus]

BBC surprises me sometimes. They seem to be less subordinated to the lizards.

[angelthecat]

it means that you will fight and die for a coloured bit of rag on the end of a stick, it means that you are willing to separate yourself from all other peoples of the earth with nationalisms, it means that people who have relatives killed by British armies can hate you without even knowing you. it means that you believe you are somehow different because of the location in which you are born, it means that you have the same simple mind as all the other people on the planet who believe they are the belongings of the place they were born.

well people that is what it means to be British :D
just my opinion, no need to shout

[kodo4]

What Does it mean to be British?

Many people bemoan the lost of 'national identity' in the uk.

But what is our national identity, did i come from Christians, pagans ,celts, Romans, Saxons?

Is it in the novels of charles dickens, the plays of shakespeare, the pomes of milton, Shelly, Keats?

Is it mearly confined to these shore or has it extended right across the empire of old, or commonwealth of today. After all, the first west Indians who came on the windrush had come from the commonwealth and had fought alongside us during WW2

Or is 'british' just a euphanisum for white?

I think a national identity will change over several generations and it is intrisinctly linked to nationhood. I cannot even begin to tell you what it means, I would even struggle to tell you what it meant to me when I was much younger. If pressed I would say it was an innate sense of belonging within the community. But I can tell you that the UK I was born and raised in has ceased to exist, and I now find it to be a broken nation. A fractured and split society driven by personal greed and petty jealousy, seemingly intent upon it´s own detruction. I was so convinced of this that I finally emigrated six years ago and have never returned.

In my personal opinion this broken nation was brought about by the social experiment of forced multiculturalism without the need for integration, which dilutes and threatens the existance of the indigenous culture. Ably supported by the mythical twin god that is political correctness. Heaven forbid that you may offend someone.

In my lifetime I have lived and worked in many countries. And each one had it´s good and bad points. But in order to gain the respect of the indigenous population learning their language, even a rudimentary level would give you a lot of leeway with local peoples. However the most important thing for them was that you accepted them for what they were and observed their culture, traditions and laws.

My wife and I have a relatively good grasp of the language and have become well respected within the local community, achieved entirely through respecting the people we live among and not attempting to force our culture upon them. Yes we have less money and fewer toys but we have learnt the real difference between needing and wanting and rediscovered what it means to be part of a community.

[azureaura]

In my personal opinion this broken nation was brought about by the social experiment of forced multiculturalism without the need for integration

Yes this is true, the global elite have planned this partly through the EEC which allows foreign workers to work here on favourable terms. The illuminati also uses selective enforcement, where foreigners know when they come here, they can access state benefits quite easily, do not strictly have to find a job straight away, and don't need to integrate with the soverign british, after a life in the UK test.

Could this be the plan of the illuminati, to fragment and balkanise exsisting communities, by permitting a massive influx of foreigners, example Mirfield in Yorkshire has changed dramatically over decades.

I welcome foreigners, however the lack of integration is insiduous and is balkanising communities over decades, and leading to isolation.


I remember David writing that foreigners coming here, are as much a victim as the sovereign community.