Canveydave

It's our first Independence Day in the US this weekend. What do expats usually do on the 4th July??!?

Should we get swept up in it all, wear our USA T-Shirts, watch the fireworks, drink beer and eat hot dogs? Or should we be a little more circumspect.

The old UK patriot in me see's it as some sort of day of mourning for us British!

rpjs

I like fireworks, I like hotdogs, I like beer. What's not to like?

I feel the Americans haven't done too badly for themselves, these last two hundred and something years, so I'm happy to help them celebrate.

Actually, this year I shall be flying in on the evening of 4th July, so I'm hoping to get some nice views of fireworks as we approach NYC.

steveq

I've made a point, to my colleagues intense amusement, of deciding to work on the day off.

Garbatellamike

Good plan than take the 5th as a holiday and tell them that it is a traditional British celebration for getting shot of them

Guindalf

I was once asked...

"Do they have July 4th in England?"

I replied...

"Sure, it's right between the 3rd and 5th"!!

Yorkieabroad

We normally have a few friends over for a barbie and fireworks. Last year it was pointed out that all of the guests were brits and that our kids were the only natural USC's attending!! We still managed to have a good time, and set off a truckload of fireworks.

This year the kids are not happy that we are in Taiwan for the 4th....Based on recent reports, hot dogs could mean something totally different here, so not sure what we'll be eating I've looked in vain for something "appropriate" to do with them, but nothing showing so we'll be visiting family in the country and hoping for fireworks there - given where we are, I'm sure it won't take long to unearth some that will go fizz-bang and generate the appropriate oohs and aaahs.........

rpjs

I usually say it's our Thanksgiving Day!

fozzyb

Just view it as a celebration of getting rid of the worst tax dodgers in our empire...

hungryhorace

Nothing, other than sneer at the ridiculous amount of flags everywhere and comment how 'tacky' it is.

At least, that's what I do.

sir_eccles

Enjoy it for what it is, a federal holiday where if you asked ten locals what it was all about they would give you twelve answers (see also confusion over veterans day and memorial day etc).

Most Americans just enjoy the day off without considering the why.

Nutmegger

Just enjoy the party! For many years I was invited to a 4th barbecue at my friend's parents' house -- and even though her mother was DAR, there was never any mention of how the holiday originated; it was just about great food and wine, good music, and a nice time enjoying a summer evening with friends.

scrubbedexpat091

Flags and the amount of them is not unique to the US, should see what some people do for Canada Day which is today, flags, people dressing in red and white, wigs of the same color, paint the flag on their face etc.

I work so I do nothing on these holidays, they are just a pain since so many places are closed making life difficult for a day.

hungryhorace

I've only visited Canada once, so I'm in no position to speak, but surely Canada doesn't embrace the grotesque mass outpouring of 'patriotism' like America does? I thought they sneered at it as well?

Nutmegger

You mean like all the people who congregate on the streets to wave Union Jacks, cheer, and carry on in honour of royal events in the UK?

scrubbedexpat091

Canada is no better, they just call in Canadian Pride, but today is no different then the 4th in the US, but instead of red/white/blue you just see red and white.

Depending where you are, you will see flags, flags painted on faces, people wearing flag hats, shirts that look like flags, and so on.

There is even a picture on my FB of a dog wearing a flag hate.

Then of course the various media videos asking people what makes them proud to be Canadian.

It's just a different day with a different meaning behind it, but make no mistake Canadian's are just as patriotic.



The government even has a web domain and website dedicated to Canada Day.