BritishGuy36

So of course a lot of americans are either just stupid or don't catch on due to lack of knowledge of history of their own country, but a lot of folks either obliviously or on purpose wished me a 'Happy 4th' this year.

My general response has been something along the lines of 'Hey - if you're happy given that your country is in Obama's crapper, then that's all that matters' or something equally flippant.

I mean, if they can be arrogant nationalists pretty much all of the time, I can be an @hole in response, right?

lansbury

Probably in much the same way I wish people happy Christmas without wondering if they are Jewish, Islamic or whatever.

Happy Independence Day BG.

kimilseung

It might be one thing if someone wants to make up a beef with you today because you are British, or start to really go on about the freedom crap (that this day did not bring to lots of people) but someone saying 'Happy 4th' is just saying enjoy the day, its party time.

Lion in Winter

And it's polite.

We wouldn't want Americans making rude remarks in the UK when we observe national customs by burning someone in effigy, for example.

Bomjeito

Ummm...its not a nationalistic thing.

Americans get so few days off that 4th of July is a big deal. Everyone is happy. So they say 'Happy 4th!"

We lighten up on the 4th. You should too! Its fun!

(My British sister-in-law even sent me an email..."Happy 4th!" I didn't send any such emails...)

Lion in Winter

Agreed, it's barely nationalistic at all. My Mexican neighbours are having a party, and the people next to us where we were watching the fireworks were Polish.

Jan Alaska

And not everyone gets the day off ... cash grabbing grocery stores are all still open.

I don't mind being wished happy 4th, if anyone comments on them beating us I bring out the excuse that there was just too much lawn to mow so we went home it usually diffuses it nicely

Happy 4th !

GeoffM

If someone wishes you happy 4th, just look confused and wish them happy 5th for tomorrow, shake your head, and move on. Then snicker later.

robin1234

We are in the UK for a few weeks holiday and the friends we are now staying with made a lovely chestnut and leek pie with stilton pastry for dinner. With appliqué stars and stripes on the pie to celebrate the day! But we really celebrated by drinking several bottles of wine - well actually we've done that every night since we came to England. Be interesting to discover how many bottles of wine are drunk in the UK every day.

Anyway we also celebrated the day by our hosts asking us to explain Obamacare. Since that involved us also explaining how healthcare works in America, was an interesting evening...

Nutek

[QUOTE=robin1234;10155655]
healthcare works in AmericaQUOTE]

LOL

Nutek

People just bein polite for the most part. Only the people that really know me mean it as some sort of insult.

Lion in Winter

And to them you can say "if it weren't for the French, you would all be speaking English now."

civilservant

I wished all my Ameirican friends/family happy independance day on facebook, along with a video of the national anthem (and I'm still in the UK for the time being awaiting my visa).

When you live in someones country you do as they do - besides the revoluntiary war was a long time ago....

Nutek

They don't like it up em. /Jonesy

WEBlue

Haha, I like this response!

Why would England want the USA anyway? . . . having divested itself of virtually all its colonies (many much more valuable) by the late 1950s. Old history.