With the recent Jubilee, Olympics on home grounds and the fact that our country are currently being represented in Euro2012, it feels like a very English year. I also watched the most recent Ricky Gervais show ep where they were talking about it with Karl Pilkington!
What makes us English and the unique things about our country?
I think 'Banter', Tea, moaning about weather, great long history, football and being drunk.
There's probably a lot more than that.
I'm more proud to be English than I am not.
What do you think?
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The Royal Family
London and all its monuments
The Royal Navy and our maritime history
Full english breakfasts
Ale and bitter
Beefeater Gin
Having a row
Cups of tea
Pimms
Last night at the Proms
Roast dinners
Oxford and Cambridge universities
Bad weather
Sense of humour
Politeness
Shakespeare
Dickens
Drake
Raleigh
The Beatles
Just a few off the top of my head
Fried Breakfast
Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
Cream Tea
Fish and Chips
Stiff upper lip
Punting on the River Cam
National Anthem
Last night at the proms
I still feel embarassed about the reputation the English have abroad, and thats when I'm most likely to "become" Scottish. But overall I love this country and all the good things it stands for, great sport, great music, great literature, democracy, great countryside and cities, and a generally strong sense of "natural fairness" in the culture. What I don't like is the tendency sometimes to accept authority without too much question., though even this isn't universal.
I dont feel like The Royal Family etc have any relevance to me or my life, they may as well come from another country. The things that I think make England amazing are those which the English will achieve in the future, not relics from their past.
The Countryside
The Heritage - we have buildings older than some countries
Fish & Chips
Tea
The 4 seasons - just compare spring with autumn
Parliament
Cricket
Tradition
The Language
One thing that really got me just yesterday, was hearing the Tibettan lady (?) who won the Nobel Peace prize 20-odd years ago finally receiving her award and hearing her speak...........in perfect English !! I have no idea who she is/was and whether she perhaps studied over here when she was younger, but she spoke so elequontly is OUR language - no hint of an accent. I don't think any other country commands this respect over its language or history.
My view of Englishness depends where I am in the country, London as capital as so different from the rest of the country with its diversity, welcoming to other cultures, as well as its monuments and stunning new buildings.
So although I was born here in London I don't really class myself as English. A south Londoner, but not English. Mixed Irish and British.
For that reason I support Indian cricket teams touring England and English cricket teams touring India, and always want those teams beat any other cricket team.
Am I proud to be English ? To be honest I've never really given it a thought.
The rule of law--democracy-------------- standing up for the under dog
somehow whilst saying we should embrace all other cultures we have never known or understood our own---which is sad.
Our country certainly isn't perfect for many reasons, but on the balance and in comparison to other places, overall I am at least content and proud about the country I come from.
I philosophically do not even agree with the concept of the nation state. It is a major mechanism which keeps the status quo around the globe where the poor starve whilst the rich feast, causes wars and deaths as arguments over territory escalate and emphasizes difference where in my opinion none exists. I do not think that the quality of my life should be determined by the country of my birth. I would dispose of all national boundaries.
However...
I'm not about to move to a poverty stricken country and live on the streets to make my point. I instinctively gain pleasure when England score a goal, try or run. I want Westwood, Donald and Rose to win golfing majors. I become British when Murray plays tennis. I become European during the Ryder Cup. When in a foreign country I buy the Times and long for the cricket scores. I celebrated the Jubilee and respect the Queen immensely. Hypocritical yes but I can't be any more honest than that.
I think the OP is right about moaning about the weather, because we live in a place where the weather is so variable (and frequently disappointing).
I very much like Goonerhater's suggestions of tolerance and sticking up for the underdog.
There are certain institutions that we have that I think are wonderful: CAFC, NHS, BBC, OU, RSPB, The Royal Society, Tate...
Our beer. There are a few other countries that brew the odd ale, but almost everywhere else it plays second fiddle to tasteless fizzy lager. If you know of a place with a range and quality of proper beers, please let me know.
English rock/pop music.
http://www.thegrizzlypaw.com/grizzly-paw-brewery-Beers
and don't get me started on the weather, in the past 10 days we've had tornadoes, floods, 5" of snow & beautiful warm sunshine - am just about to go out for a bit of Mountain Biking - the forecast is
typical!!