Just musing
 

We left the UK in 2006 and returned from Melbourne last year.

I was watching the incredible Olympics last night and reflecting that there seems so much more national pride and sense of community than there was 6 years ago.

Is this because of the recession do you think? Have people reassessed values and starting to realise what's important? Or was it always there and is it because I've been in Australia - I look back on our time there and it strikes me how shallow and materialistic things were - so much seemed to be about having a big house and car. Obviously I'm making sweeping generalusations but I feel proud to be British and so much more contented with my lot here, even though my house is much smaller (but then so is the mortgage) and the sun shines less -but people seem so much more aware here. Aussies have so much National Pride and it's good to see Brits starting to show some too and be proud of our NHS, our fantastic athletes, our rich and diverse history, our humour and our beautiful country :).

Re: Just musing
 

The general feeling of national pride is something we have noticed, there has definitely been an increase in pride in recent years, the reasons for this I dont know but perhaps people are actually realising that the rest of the world isn't actually 'better' than here. The Olympics I think has played it's part and the legacy of it will linger for years to come, it's a shame that some only see the money spent rather than look at the intangibles.
There is just so much to be proud of but for too long people would just automatically think that it was better overseas, that I think is changing.
I tend to look back at our life in Australia and it just seemed a little shallow and fulfilling somehow, we are now incredibly content.
We actually have a bigger house here on a much bigger block which cost us less so it's win win for us ;)

Re: Just musing
 

I think it`s fabulous! In America I looked at the intense patriotism and thought "We could do with a bit of that!", but since things like the Royal wedding and the events of this year, a kind of patriotism does seem to have reached the UK.
The nature of it is good, I think, in that its a kind of inclusive "pride" and not a National Front type of exclusive jingoism, and, generally gives everyone a good feeling.
I`m pleased too, for my older son who wants to be proud of being British and loves it when we celebrate who we are. He`s spent most of his working life outside this country hearing how great other nations are!
Having lived outside the UK you come to realise what a small country we are, and what our strengths are. One of them is creativity, and that really came out in the Olympics opening ceremony.
I think its time we blew our own trumpet, and it`s surely good for trade, too!

Re: Just musing
 

National pride due to winning so many gold medals due to massive increase in Olympics funding and home advantage. After Olympics the news will go back to the recession and I think the national pride will evaporate. Sorry - just a thought:D

Re: Just musing
 

I always had a little National Pride, but gosh I've got bucket loads of UK National Pride now I live in the USA.:)

You can tell as well by my UK Flag pillows, UK Flag tea pot, UK Flag handbag:) UK Flag T Shirts and the best one is the UK Flag travel mug my husband takes to work with all American workforce:thumbsup:

On a more serious note, I have much more respect/pride in the UK knowing how things could be. e.g guns, no NHS and politics bought and paid for.

Before anyone says, why did I leave, it was only for my husbands job on a temp move.

Re: Just musing
 

Those things are really what sets the US apart from the other English-speaking countries, and why I could never live there permanently.

Re: Just musing
 

Doesn't seem to have evaporated in Aus after their massive medal haul due to huge funding and home advantage of Sydney so perhaps it won't evaporate at all!

Re: Just musing
 

Australian nationalism is much more jingoistic and harder to kill off though... I hate all the ra ra we're best stuff wherever I find it.

Re: Just musing
 

We noticed an increase in national pride when we arrived, way before the Olympics had started, the massive medal haul will certainly help keep the momentum going. While I don't like the Americanesque chest beating we used to see in Australia I am a big fan of having pride in your country.

Re: Just musing
 

National Pride had to somehow be reclaimed and redefined. For a long time it was the province of far right parties. When we first moved to America in 2007, we would titter at the "Stars and Stripes" flown outside people`s homes and say that in the UK you`d have to be a member of the National Front to be flying a Union Jack. Now they are everywhere, and its interesting it`s the Union Jack that gets flown and not the individual country`s flags.
It`s as if the flag, and patriotism in general have taken on a new meaning, and at last we do have a country that is proud of its` identity.

Re: Just musing
 

I am amazed at how many flags we see being flown outside houses and buildings here now, both English and Union flags, also a few Welsh :lol: I am amused when someone pops up on the forums and tells us how it outrageous we aren't allowed to fly a flag, they read it in the Daily Mail ;)

Re: Just musing
 

Why is the Welsh flag amusing you? Any flag waving is idiotic, but of course I would fight for the rights of other people to do so if they wish.

Re: Just musing
 

Because we are in England.

Re: Just musing
 

But presumably the people flying it are Welsh, and therefore unlikely to fly the St. George's cross.

Re: Just musing
 

Presumably yes.