Define Britishness
Discussion
speedy_thrills said:
Surely a traditional view of being British is about the shared history of four quite different countries that are intertwined by population migration, conflict, trade and culture.
Of course a contemporary view might also add that this now also includes people from the former British Empire, as well as the Commonwealth and European Union. However perhaps if you ask a first generation British person why they chose Britain they might answer “Opportunity” which and if you had asked an Irish person the same question two hundred years ago they might have given the same answer. Perhaps the closest answer is that being British is the mutually shared desire to have a better lot in life be that through industry, law or government.
And this.Of course a contemporary view might also add that this now also includes people from the former British Empire, as well as the Commonwealth and European Union. However perhaps if you ask a first generation British person why they chose Britain they might answer “Opportunity” which and if you had asked an Irish person the same question two hundred years ago they might have given the same answer. Perhaps the closest answer is that being British is the mutually shared desire to have a better lot in life be that through industry, law or government.
speedy_thrills said:
Surely a traditional view of being British is about the shared history of four quite different countries that are intertwined by population migration, conflict, trade and culture.
Ditch the word "four" out of that and you're golden IMO.As a nation we've been very good, probably one of the best, at letting immigrants get on with it, provided they're happy to follow the rules. Yes we have some issues with south Asian immigrants, but the tens of thousands of eastern Europeans that have turned up in the last few years have integrated very well (certainly locally, although the lack of seasonal work may have something to do with that) through the simple expedients of following our laws, learning English, and working hard.
We don't make them follow our football teams, we don't tell them what religion to follow in their houses, and most importantly of all we recognise that other cultures have some wonderful things they can bring us.
Look at pedigree show dogs - they're inbred, homogeneous, and often have congenital defects. Mongrels on the other hand might have lopsided ears and one eye coloured differently to the other, but they generally operate better as dogs. And that's an important lesson.
dandarez said:
The unfunny and tragic side to that is it 'really' could happen and worse, nobody today would bat an eyelid!
Britishness?
Virtually disappeared. It's simply nostalgia to many of us now.
Just glad I saw and was part of some of it.
For me the humble politeness is definitely part of it. The both people stepping off the path bit says it all. Its like we take pride in doing something that we didn't need to just to keep the situation amiable, whereas elsewhere that can be perceived as weakness.
Eric Mc said:
Ayahuasca said:
If this image makes your heart beat faster you have a modicum of Britishness.
I presume you spotted the Polish Air Force insignia on the nose?
davepoth said:
speedy_thrills said:
Surely a traditional view of being British is about the shared history of four quite different countries that are intertwined by population migration, conflict, trade and culture.
Ditch the word "four" out of that and you're golden IMO.
Oxymoron alert!Shay HTFC said:
dandarez said:
The unfunny and tragic side to that is it 'really' could happen and worse, nobody today would bat an eyelid!
Britishness?
Virtually disappeared. It's simply nostalgia to many of us now.
Just glad I saw and was part of some of it.
For me the humble politeness is definitely part of it. The both people stepping off the path bit says it all. Its like we take pride in doing something that we didn't need to just to keep the situation amiable, whereas elsewhere that can be perceived as weakness.
jbi said:
Stay in comfort zone
Complain a lot but do nothing about it
Take pride in regional quirks/oddities
A deep appreciation of the countryside
Just a few off the top of my head
Second and third definitely, fourth yes, but not uniquely. The first is utter tosh though - very few countries/cultures have stepped more often and further from their comfort zone.Complain a lot but do nothing about it
Take pride in regional quirks/oddities
A deep appreciation of the countryside
Just a few off the top of my head
ettore said:
jbi said:
Stay in comfort zone
Complain a lot but do nothing about it
Take pride in regional quirks/oddities
A deep appreciation of the countryside
Just a few off the top of my head
Second and third definitely, fourth yes, but not uniquely. The first is utter tosh though - very few countries/cultures have stepped more often and further from their comfort zone.Complain a lot but do nothing about it
Take pride in regional quirks/oddities
A deep appreciation of the countryside
Just a few off the top of my head
A few adventurous Brits head off into the unknown while everyone else looks at each other and rolls their eyes
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