What Defines The UK?
#1
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What Defines The UK?
Someone put me on the spot at the weekend when they quizzed me on why I was leaving Australia to return to the UK. It was aninteresting exchange which was openly frank which I found refreshing.
My Aussie interogator, far from being offended at the idea that I might wish to leave their country, instead pursued a line of questioning which I really had to think about.
Not because I didn't know the answer but because there are so many different answers to offer. When you consider that England and Wales alone have 43 counties each with their own dialect and traditions, I hardly knew where to start.
The person asking me to explain, offered their perspective assuming that the UK is just about roast beef, yorkshires, the Royal family and Coronation Street.
They did say they hadn't visited the UK so I took no offence at their limited views, in fact we had a really interesting discussion about what defines Australia from their point of view, which gave me a wider insight.
But then I returned home thinking 'Wow, how incredible the UK is considering it's size' and then I went over in my mind revisiting all the things that define the British Isles.
Where do you start and where do you end when someone asks you such a meandering question?
I'm still not sure if I summed up my own country adequately but it did make me realise how nice it feels to be British.
My Aussie interogator, far from being offended at the idea that I might wish to leave their country, instead pursued a line of questioning which I really had to think about.
Not because I didn't know the answer but because there are so many different answers to offer. When you consider that England and Wales alone have 43 counties each with their own dialect and traditions, I hardly knew where to start.
The person asking me to explain, offered their perspective assuming that the UK is just about roast beef, yorkshires, the Royal family and Coronation Street.
They did say they hadn't visited the UK so I took no offence at their limited views, in fact we had a really interesting discussion about what defines Australia from their point of view, which gave me a wider insight.
But then I returned home thinking 'Wow, how incredible the UK is considering it's size' and then I went over in my mind revisiting all the things that define the British Isles.
Where do you start and where do you end when someone asks you such a meandering question?
I'm still not sure if I summed up my own country adequately but it did make me realise how nice it feels to be British.
#2
Re: What Defines The UK?
The concept is far beyond a lot of peoples comprehension. Never argue with a fool especially an Aussie one. I never thought much of my country of birth until I tried to live elsewhere. I now understand that it was a blessing to have been born there as opposed to most of the world that seems to be in turmoil. We have freedom and history. The people that went before us that threw their lives away for the sake of a thankless modern society.
I sense a lot of shame from Brits, theyre never English these days, theyre half Spanish and 1/8th Icelandic and 45th generation Roman. Too heavy a cross to bear our pioneering past of rape and pillage.
Thank god for Australia, if I hadnt of visited it, I would never have known how great and important my forebears were and deep down, everyone knows it but such is modern life we keep our necks wound in knowing that the emptiest vessels make the most noise and any self pride is interpreted as imperialism and arrogance.
Sorry if you wanted me to prattle on about house prices and good fishing spots, sunsets and barbecues but England is a lot more than that. Now excuse me whilst I cry my eyes out.
I sense a lot of shame from Brits, theyre never English these days, theyre half Spanish and 1/8th Icelandic and 45th generation Roman. Too heavy a cross to bear our pioneering past of rape and pillage.
Thank god for Australia, if I hadnt of visited it, I would never have known how great and important my forebears were and deep down, everyone knows it but such is modern life we keep our necks wound in knowing that the emptiest vessels make the most noise and any self pride is interpreted as imperialism and arrogance.
Sorry if you wanted me to prattle on about house prices and good fishing spots, sunsets and barbecues but England is a lot more than that. Now excuse me whilst I cry my eyes out.
#3
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Re: What Defines The UK?
The concept is far beyond a lot of peoples comprehension. Never argue with a fool especially an Aussie one. I never thought much of my country of birth until I tried to live elsewhere. I now understand that it was a blessing to have been born there as opposed to most of the world that seems to be in turmoil. We have freedom and history. The people that went before us that threw their lives away for the sake of a thankless modern society.
I sense a lot of shame from Brits, theyre never English these days, theyre half Spanish and 1/8th Icelandic and 45th generation Roman. Too heavy a cross to bear our pioneering past of rape and pillage.
Thank god for Australia, if I hadnt of visited it, I would never have known how great and important my forebears were and deep down, everyone knows it but such is modern life we keep our necks wound in knowing that the emptiest vessels make the most noise and any self pride is interpreted as imperialism and arrogance.
Sorry if you wanted me to prattle on about house prices and good fishing spots, sunsets and barbecues but England is a lot more than that. Now excuse me whilst I cry my eyes out.
I sense a lot of shame from Brits, theyre never English these days, theyre half Spanish and 1/8th Icelandic and 45th generation Roman. Too heavy a cross to bear our pioneering past of rape and pillage.
Thank god for Australia, if I hadnt of visited it, I would never have known how great and important my forebears were and deep down, everyone knows it but such is modern life we keep our necks wound in knowing that the emptiest vessels make the most noise and any self pride is interpreted as imperialism and arrogance.
Sorry if you wanted me to prattle on about house prices and good fishing spots, sunsets and barbecues but England is a lot more than that. Now excuse me whilst I cry my eyes out.
Wholeheartedly agree. I can't begin to tell you how enthusiastic and excited I feel at the thought of coming home. I was amazed at myself when I didn't know how to begin answering the question because there were just so many ways to start. And of course, periods in time from which to start. Then you've got to try and answer the question in a way a stranger to the culture can understand. Having said that, they were attentive and keen to listen.
To be fair to Australia, I regard the country as a 'work in progress'. I think in 100 years time, it will be an interesting place to live. It's like a patchwork quilt, it's not finished yet. But with it's mix of culture, it would be interesting to see what it becomes. The Japanese and Asian influences are moulding a barren country into an admirable land. The main drawback is that Australia is not yet influenced by the rest of the world and as such, exercises no real impact on the rest of the world. It just sits there surrounded by Asia and this appears to be the emerging influence. The only dominance seems to come from the ideal of 'being Australian' but as yet, it appears indefinable. Nothing makes the country stand out apart from the Sydney Opera House, designed by a Danish architect, and Uluru, which is the territorial heritage of the Aborigines.
The UK has already established it's unique identity whereas Australia is still trying to find one hence the parent and teenager applied reference.
I was just surprised at myself when asked the question. I hardly knew where to start. I was horrified at the idea of Coronation Street being the sum of the UK but then I suppose it has been going 50 odd years. Maybe that suggests a traditional stronghold on just one kind of British identity.
I certainly am coming home with a different perspective of my home.
#4
Re: What Defines The UK?
Wholeheartedly agree. I can't begin to tell you how enthusiastic and excited I feel at the thought of coming home. I was amazed at myself when I didn't know how to begin answering the question because there were just so many ways to start. And of course, periods in time from which to start. Then you've got to try and answer the question in a way a stranger to the culture can understand. Having said that, they were attentive and keen to listen.
To be fair to Australia, I regard the country as a 'work in progress'. I think in 100 years time, it will be an interesting place to live. It's like a patchwork quilt, it's not finished yet. But with it's mix of culture, it would be interesting to see what it becomes. The Japanese and Asian influences are moulding a barren country into an admirable land. The main drawback is that Australia is not yet influenced by the rest of the world and as such, exercises no real impact on the rest of the world. It just sits there surrounded by Asia and this appears to be the emerging influence. The only dominance seems to come from the ideal of 'being Australian' but as yet, it appears indefinable. Nothing makes the country stand out apart from the Sydney Opera House, designed by a Danish architect, and Uluru, which is the territorial heritage of the Aborigines.
The UK has already established it's unique identity whereas Australia is still trying to find one hence the parent and teenager applied reference.
I was just surprised at myself when asked the question. I hardly knew where to start. I was horrified at the idea of Coronation Street being the sum of the UK but then I suppose it has been going 50 odd years. Maybe that suggests a traditional stronghold on just one kind of British identity.
I certainly am coming home with a different perspective of my home.
To be fair to Australia, I regard the country as a 'work in progress'. I think in 100 years time, it will be an interesting place to live. It's like a patchwork quilt, it's not finished yet. But with it's mix of culture, it would be interesting to see what it becomes. The Japanese and Asian influences are moulding a barren country into an admirable land. The main drawback is that Australia is not yet influenced by the rest of the world and as such, exercises no real impact on the rest of the world. It just sits there surrounded by Asia and this appears to be the emerging influence. The only dominance seems to come from the ideal of 'being Australian' but as yet, it appears indefinable. Nothing makes the country stand out apart from the Sydney Opera House, designed by a Danish architect, and Uluru, which is the territorial heritage of the Aborigines.
The UK has already established it's unique identity whereas Australia is still trying to find one hence the parent and teenager applied reference.
I was just surprised at myself when asked the question. I hardly knew where to start. I was horrified at the idea of Coronation Street being the sum of the UK but then I suppose it has been going 50 odd years. Maybe that suggests a traditional stronghold on just one kind of British identity.
I certainly am coming home with a different perspective of my home.
#5
Re: What Defines The UK?
The uk aint what it used to be,and unfortunately,will never be as good imo
So for that reason....Im out!!!
I have been meaning to use that dragons den quote for ages now
So for that reason....Im out!!!
I have been meaning to use that dragons den quote for ages now
#6
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 109
Re: What Defines The UK?
"Here's a song about living in the past
If it was so good then how come it didn't last?
If it helps you I'll put it in a phrase
Those were the times but these are the days...
The times you're smiling back on had that great sitcom
It hardly compensated for the terror of the bomb..."
Last edited by ellimere; Jun 3rd 2009 at 9:36 pm. Reason: Quote got messed up...
#7
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,769
Re: What Defines The UK?
Look what you're missing
http://www.picturesofengland.com/
If you're happy where you are though, that's all that matters right?
#8
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,769
Re: What Defines The UK?
*yawn*
"Here's a song about living in the past
If it was so good then how come it didn't last?
If it helps you I'll put it in a phrase
Those were the times but these are the days...
The times you're smiling back on had that great sitcom
It hardly compensated for the terror of the bomb..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aAi6PO0GKIw
"Here's a song about living in the past
If it was so good then how come it didn't last?
If it helps you I'll put it in a phrase
Those were the times but these are the days...
The times you're smiling back on had that great sitcom
It hardly compensated for the terror of the bomb..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aAi6PO0GKIw
#9
Re: What Defines The UK?
I think its way to complex to define other than humane, understanding, multicultural, fun, safe and very, very interesting. Such a shame I am a crowdaphobe!!!
#11
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,769
Re: What Defines The UK?
At least it's positive. Aren't you in Melbourne? Melbourne is nice, very English because it was a free state, not a penal colony. Plus it got all the gaudy, wealthy Victorian society keen to make a fresh start out of Georgian Britain so there's a lot of money in Victoria.
Makes me laugh when people moan about chavs. Back in the reign of mad King George, I think it was 95% chavs and 5% elite. At least it's improved a bit.
Makes me laugh when people moan about chavs. Back in the reign of mad King George, I think it was 95% chavs and 5% elite. At least it's improved a bit.