HBG

I'm a foreigner in Spain, but I've lived here for a while. I remember returning from a trip to the US and feeling quite nostalgic when the plane touched down in Madrid.

Yet earlier today I saw a holidaymaker wearing a pair of Union Jack shorts. He was also sporting a gold chain and a few tattoos. And a beer belly. It didn't make me feel nostalgic, it made me feel sick.

steviedeluxe

Well if you must insist in admiring yourself in the mirror....

The Beast

204 countries? From around the world gathered together to compete at the greatest spectacle....Every duplicitous, corrupt and murderous regime ( Chad, Haiti, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Venezuela...etc...etc..) All represented by bagmen from these fraudulent governments on the world’s stage, their images beamed live across the world.....

The deaths of millions and the theft of billions of which they are culpable laid aside so their countries can be seen as part of the all encompassing 2012 Olympics.

Hands arcoss the oceans folks!

Aside from that....Not bad!

anonimouse

Domino

Thats exactly how I feel when I see them in Bournemouth, Margate, Blackpool or Barry Island

if yuo showed them a video of their compatriots they would probably think it was hilarious

Rotor

Spot On.

megmet

No I'm not proud to be British but I am proud to be English, there is a big difference!

steviedeluxe

I've said this before, but I'm in awe of the ceremony and all the hard work that obviously went into it. Certain bits didn't work for me (the initial pastoral scenes, and the modern rap/grime stuff) but it portrayed London and the UK, with various layers and sections of society, very well I thought even if others dislike it. But proud to be British? ~I find it very hard to repeat that statement, after all I had no choice in being born British, it's all a huge element of luck where you are born. Yes, it's great to see British performers put on a great show, or see Bradley Wiggins the guy from Kilburn, win the Tour de France, but I can't feel proud of those achievements. They've done all the hard work, not me.

Mitzyboy

I'm confused

Part of being proud of being British is taking pride in what fellow Brits have achieved, surely. Whether it's Sport, Industry or whatever

Pocaloca

Ditto (though I'm half Irish!) Your nationality isn't an achievement, it's pure coincidence, so what's to be proud of?

That's not to say there aren't things in British culture and history to be proud of, including the NHS, British comedy and popular music, all of which were featured in the Olympic thing and rightly so.

Mitzyboy

Thats not the point though is it.
You are born in a country .... everyone is. You grow up in that country and you become a part of the culture of that country and in many cases you are what you are and you have what you have because of that country.

I think its part of "the British Problem". People dont have pride in their country like other countries do. Brits love to knock their achievers, and indeed their country. The possibly just dont realise how good it is

jackytoo

I think most (reasonable) people in the world are proud of their country as in ie. a shared culture and have a love for it. Everywhere in the world I have been I have noticed it, even in some awful places.

Being proud of your country isn't just about winning at sport, doesn't matter very much at all to me, just the icing on the cake really.

Yes I am proud and thankful that I am English, in the same way a St.Lucian is proud that they are from that Island instead of eg. Dominica. Human nature (for normal people)

jackytoo

Excellent post, I do so agree. It what I was thinking when I posted above but you put it so well.

steviedeluxe

I can admire and praise British comedy, the NHS, entertainers, sportspeople etc. with the best of them. But it doesn't make me funnier, better at medicine or sport by doing so, so I'm averse to saying "I'm proud to be British". Perhaps I could say "I'm proud of British achievements in x,y z"...?

Pocaloca

On the contrary, I think the Brits are very proud of their country. They might knock it, but woe betide anyone else who knocks it!

But just because you are born in a country doesn't mean you should be proud of it uncritically. That sort of nationalistic patriotism can lead to conflict and misunderstanding. Be proud of the good things, but acknowledge the bad things.